How to Play a Claw Machine

Last Updated: February 6, 2020

A crane machine is an arcade game that is mostly found in restaurant buffets, arcades, movie theaters, and pretty much anywhere crowds are (for instance, airports and shopping malls). Crane machines have various types of items in them. Some games have plush (which are the most common type of items found in these games) and some have jewelry.

Apparently, some people (including parents), often find these machines a waste of time and money. In some cases it's true but not always. The following will show you the basics on how to play a claw machine and to assist on improving your skills.

Steps

1
Insert your cash. Machines usually accept quarters and bills only. If you're in an arcade room, it also may accept tokens only.
2
Push the joystick up, down, left or right to move the crane. (If you push the joystick up, then the crane will go back. If you push the joystick down, it will go towards the front. It will go left if you push the joystick left, and right if you push the joystick right.)

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3
If you see a button on the game, it's probably the control to drop the claw. After you have properly positioned the crane over the desired prize, push the drop button. Note: Some games will allow you to "nudge" the claw so you can get the claw on the toy right. Also, you will no longer have control of the claw after you drop it on some games.
4
If you win, there is usually a door at the bottom left corner of the machine to claim your prize.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Advanced Techniques

Selecting an Item- The item you choose can be critical in whether you win or lose. In fact, this is probably the most important step when playing the game. The best chance for winning is to choose an item that satisfies these three conditions.
- 1.It should be up high. While the crane might reach the item, most cranes have a delay in which they wait to grab the item. The crane will probably raise back up somewhat before it closes.
- 2.It should be close to the drop. If the item is on the other side of the machine, it has a significantly lower chance of making it all the way across. However, if it is next to the drop, even a nudge might push it over the side.
- 3.It should be loose. Look carefully. Many items may look buried when in fact they are almost completely free.

Positioning the Crane- The crane can be positioned directly over a point of your choosing. The best method to achieve this is to line the crane up in the horizontal direction first, then adjust the depth. To begin this method, start by standing directly in front of the item that you are trying to grab. A common mistake is to stand in the middle of the machine, which will throw off your perception and create an illusion that you are in the right position when you are not. Next, adjust the crane by only moving side to side, not forward and back. Unless the game has a timer, be patient. Because the crane's motion is very jerky, it may take many passes to get the crane in the right position. When it looks right, move to the side of the machine. Once again, make sure you are directly in front of the item that you want. Repeat the procedure, only this time just moving back and forth instead of side to side. When you finish, check to make sure it is lined up before pressing the drop button.

Adjusting For Spin- Lining up the three prongs on the grabber to good "holding points" on the item (such as a loop) can be helpful. However, the crane tends to spin on its way down. Fortunately, it usually tends to spin the exact same way every time. Watch the crane and make note of its spin pattern. Remember, the time in the crane's spin will vary with the height of an item.

Community Q&A

Question

Can you re-use tokens?

Community Answer

Try taping a string to the token, and after you put it in and play, try pulling it out!

Warnings

The claw can probably pick up 30 pounds. The owner sets the crane to where the claw is too weak to grab that much weight.

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Helpful 17 Not Helpful 4
Most of the toys in a crane machine are wedged together so the claw cannot grab the toys as easily.

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Crane machines are sometimes addictive to some people. Try not to be too obsessed!

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Don't obsess over the game. Playing a crane machine is very similar to gambling. Keep that in mind as you play.

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Helpful 13 Not Helpful 10
Hats or baseball caps are almost impossible to grab because the material is paper-thin.

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Never keep playing and throwing away your money on a game. If the machine looks like it will not payout for awhile, quit playing.

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Crane machines are not all skill. They are just set to payout after so many plays. There is a computer program in each machine that may tell the claw to grab the toy and then drop once the claw is at the top.

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