shell game
shell game. A sleight-of-hand game that uses three cups or thimble-like objects, one of which has a pea, ball, or other small object underneath. • This is a game of chance in which one player bets that he or she can remember under which cup the object is. The cups are moved around so quickly that the player finds it difficult to remember where the object is. When played casually on public streets the shell game is usu. a swindle because the operator palms the object rather than leaving it under a cup, so the player has no chance of winning. — Also termed thimblerig; thimbles and balls. See GAME OF CHANCE.
