I've done tons of carnival games in my life, but here are the ones that I think are the biggest ripoffs:

1. The basketball game. Those rims are so screwed up, Michael Jordan couldn't even make it.

2. I don't know what it was called, but you have to cover this big circle with 5 round discs. None of the circle can be showing in order to win. 1 chance for $3, 2 chances for $5. If you did it successfully twice, you won an Xbox 360! I thought that sounded promising, so I gave it a try. Of course, the person working the booth kept doing it perfectly. It looks so easy, but it was hard. Once you put the discs down, you couldn't move them. After a few unsuccessful tries, the guy gives me a hint about where the first one should be placed. So, I try it two more times and fail again. So, if you ever see a game like this, don't try it.

Does anyone else have any rip-off games I should be aware of?

Although I've never tried it... the "bounce the ball of the backboard into the bucket" always looks easy, but I hear from everyone it's wicked hard... I've only played the ring toss game... easy and cheap, usually. I don't get easily trapped by them.

Most carnival games are a rip-off, otherwise they wouldn't make any money. The only one I ever do any good with, (and normally the only one I'll play) is the good old shooting gallery. I know most of those air rifles are screwed and the sights don't actually point to where the pellet is going. But if you carefully watch where the pellet goes on the first shot you can compensate for the error.

I am usually fairly successful and normally only get caught out when they give you faulty pellets. I have found though that if you complain enough, they will give you decent pellets. I guess they don't want everyone else hearing how they cheat you out of your money. The only problem with the shooting galleries, the prizes are often worth less than what it costs you to play. (stupid stuffed toys) It does tend to impress the girls though when you can shoot all the ducks down.

As for the other games like the 'coin-toss', 'ring-over-the-bottle' and ones like them, I find them too hard so I give them a miss.

They're probably all rip-offs, I don't play them XD ..they're expensive, and the prizes are lame.. lead me to the funnel cakes

i hate all those games epscially the two you listed. The one with the basketball really high in the air. You see the guy take the shot he gets it in and it looks so easy and then you try and you miss terably. Then the rink toss they offer such great prizes and noone ever wins. I have never seen anyone win that game ever.

The one when you hit the thing with the hammer, then the lights go up and ring the bell. The person running it RIGS it, and I'm not even joking. A small 7th grade girl was able to hit the bell when this huge 40 year old couldn't get it half way up.

All carnival games are rigged in one way or another. That is how carnies make all their money. If you do happen to win a prize, you have probably paid for it 10 times over. Or you were lucky enough to get a pingpong ball in the little fish bowl. Now you have a goldfish to pack around with you all the rest of your carnival visit. As well as, probably buying a new fish bowl to house it. You are right matto about the hammer gong thingy. I have witnessed the same thing. I don't do carnival games unless it is guessing my weight. I look don't look as heavy as I am and that usually gets them. However, I am with Togi, where are the funnel cakes?

Carnival games are just a simple way for the gypsys to make some money.
They are all rigged in my cynical opinion.

sometimes i will just try them out just to have fun for a few minutes. I no that i will never win anything. But the one that i will always win is the guess your age or weight. That is one game that they could never rig. The prizes arent as great but at least you win something better that a small ball. Another thing is that it doesn't even cost that much.