I'm a Carny, Ask me anything.

What’s the pay like annually

Why do carnies look the same all over the world?

Admittedly, this is mostly because I am bored, However I always find it surprising how many people find what I do interesting and have questions aside from "How do I win ___"

Largely depends on your route and how much effort you put in, Without going into specifics I make somewhere between Shitty Lawyer and Reasonable Lawyer money.

Is Cup-O-Pizza really any good?

Probably the same reason Aussies all look like Kangaroos with Bonus chromosomes.

I couldn't tell ya, TBH I try to avoid Midway food like a plague.

Deep Fried Butter is terrifyingly awesome though.

You made me want a Candy Apple.

How many times a week do you brush your tooth?

This ealy in the year you are better off with a caramel apple than a candy apple, the Candy coating just kind of distracts from the quality of the apples where Caramel is less forgiving if the apple is of lesser quality.

Or had been my observation over the last few years, Reverse all of that when autumn comes around.

2-3 times a day, I have a full set and have dental coverage.

(Such is not the case for most people in my business though.)

Are you guys like real referees of the games or is it all rigged?

I never win at the carnies for some reason.

What's the glue that holds you together as a team....

Drugs? Good management? Or just a love of travelling and the thrill of making a sale?

So that largely depends on the game to be honest, Can you give me an Idea of what you cant win at and I can give you a better idea of the play?

have you done fairs in So Cal?

I love to eat Honey Crisp apples.
The only reason I get a candy apple is to eat the candy all off then I throw it out lol.

Roughly how many hours a day do you work? How many days a week do you have to work? Are you paid anything for travel time?

Are you a pixie dust spreader on the tilt a-whirl?

Honestly I'm not into drugs for the most part but I would say a little of everything, the other thing that I would point out is that because we are all traveling together there is a significant comraderie that is built and comes with that.
The thrill of the sale really only applies to Game operators though< ride Operators as a rule couldn't give a fuck how many tickets you give them, they are salaried and are basically a button pusher. (There are exceptions but they are less and less common by the year.)

What about Austin Powers?

Because your parents are also your cousins?

Sacramento for the California State Fair is pretty well all of the California I have played.

Alright man, well I wish you the best. I've done the sales thing for the better part of 30+ years, and can relate to having a good team around you.

Plinko, whack-a-mole, spoons with the mustache lady, doesn't matter. can't never win the big ass stuffed elephant or even those cheap ass bobble heads.

is that shit rigged or what?

I have a Bit more responsibility than most so I end up working something to the effect of 16-18 hours a day6-7 days a week, but a bit of that is mor like on call rather than actually physically working.

I run my games and set them up and tear them down but I tend to only do one week spots if I can so that works out like 1 day setup, four days open and two days travel so it's not as hard as it could be.

Thanks got it. Are you paid anything for travel time? Sounds like you may be paid weekly instead of hourly.

So the reason I ask is there is a difference between unwinnable and just not understanding how to win.

Games of random outcome cant be rigged, nor can skill games or group games.
Prize every time games liek Balloons arent either (Just wouldnt make sence if they were even if some thing otherwise.)

However pick-a-duck is straight up fraud and any game like it.

Also, avoid tubs, bank-a-ball, shit like that.

Big ones tend to cost the customer $150-$200 so be ready to spend that or you arent getting it.

Not exactly, I pay my drivers and when I was a driver for the shows I was paid for travel but the average carnie isn't.
Ride operators, Maintenance, Concessions and ticket/office personnel are usually payed weekly salary.
Game operators are paid commision after the spot is done (This isn't a hard-fast rule, some shows are different but this has always been my experience.)

Thats the best way to look at it, It's the craziest sales job you can imagine but everyone works together or everyone falls together.