Three Tricks to Winning at Crane Games

Three Tricks to Winning at Crane Games

My boyfriend is a huge fan of crane games (or claw games, as I’ve heard them sometimes called).  I never really got into them (plus, I’m terrible), but my better half has a hard time resisting them no matter where we go – Wal-Mart, Fun Factory, Dave & Buster’s.  Lots of my $1 bills have been “borrowed” for this purpose.

They’re made to be alluring – bright lights shining on piles of irresistibly cute stuffed animals or boxes of sparkling watches or gadgets.  It looks deceptively easy to win, but it’s a lot tougher than it looks.  The quality of the claw varies from machine to machine.  From what I’ve heard, here are three important things to consider when trying to snatch something in a traditional crane game.

A collection of crane games.

1. Scope Out the Landscape.  The toys are cute, but can the claw grab them?  Most are stuffed so tightly that its impossible to pull them out.  Look for the ones that may be lying on top of the others.  These probably had been picked up but didn’t make it to the prize chute.  Also find the toys that are standing upright, or have parts that the claw can easily snag.  Remember that the machines are designed not to pay out easily.

2. Test Out the Crane.  Not all claws are built the same.  When you do your first play, watch how the claw performs.  Is it capable of picking up the toys in the case?  Does it close completely?  Does it wobble vigorously when hauling its load to the prize chute?  If you don’t pay attention, you cold be dropping your money into a machine that won’t let you win.  However, some are designed with a “lottery” component, although its never advertised.  What does that mean?  To put it simply, in some cases there’s a chance with every play that the crane will “behave”; in other words, the claw may actually close completely when it normally doesn’t, allowing you a better chance to win on certain tries.  The takeaway – if the claw looks flimsy on the first try, move on to the next machine unless you’re willing to make a bigger investment.

3. CHEAT.  Well, don’t bang on the machine or try to tip it (you’ll get kicked out for sure), but be “creative” in your playing.  If the toys are stacked up high enough for the crane to touch them, maneuver the claw so that it bumps or drags some of the loose toys into the prize chute without expending a credit.  If the toys have pieces where the claw can get stuck or snagged, try to maneuver it into those spots to make it easier to grab them.  If there are toys lying close to the prize chute, you might be able to knock them in by grabbing one under or behind it.

You should see the collection of toys we have from these games, not to mention all the ones we gave away.  Anyone else love these?