[r00fus]

Clearly the hoop that minimizes shots is what exists at funfairs all over the world.

Would making the backboard convex make it near-impossible to hit? What about making the curve imperceptible so it's hard to notice it's helping/hurting?

[nbardy]

The carnival hoops I've examined all have ellipsis shaped rims. Impossible to distinguish from a circle when observed from the front, but clearly squished if you walk around and get underneath it.

[sxv]

ellipsis shaped rims... will leave you hanging.

[JshWright]

Mark Rober (who is linked elsewhere in this thread for a dart board that does the same this as this backboard, but with active compensation) also did a video on how carnival games are rigged.

Dart Board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHTizZ_XcUM

Rigged Carnival Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_ZlWJ3qJI

(Bonus, in the theme of sports equipment that wins for you) Auto bowling ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM5NHC97JBw

[minhazm]

That's if you hit the backboard. But you don't need to hit the backboard and plenty of people can normally make the shot without it. Funfairs / carnivals probably are doing something with the hoop itself.

[DDR0]

They're also not standard basketball height, so if you're used to aiming at a standard hoop—