The three-box paradox revisited

The classical three- box paradox of Kirkpatrick ( 2003 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 36 4891) is compared to the original quantum three- box paradox of Aharonov and Vaidman ( 1991 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 24 2315). It is argued that the quantum three- box experiment is a 'quantum paradox' in the sense that it is an example of a classical task which cannot be accomplished using classical means, but can be accomplished using quantum devices. It is shown that Kirkpatrick's card game is analogous to a different game with a particle in three boxes which does not contain paradoxical features.