Claw machines can be a drain on your coins, with many players failing to secure a prize despite careful positioning. The brightly lit cabinets are designed to tempt, but the claw often grazes the toy or drops it before reaching the chute.
An arcade worker has shared three practical tips to help improve your odds. The first is to aim for smaller parts of a plush toy rather than the bulkier sections. The worker explained that for the claw to close completely around the plush, targeting a large area like the head makes a secure grip impossible.
The second tip is to use what is known as the swinging method. This involves using the claw's built-in movement and momentum to make it swing like a pendulum, allowing it to hook or drag a prize into a better position, rather than relying on a straightforward up-and-down grab.
Finally, the worker recommends selecting plushies closest to the prize chute, as this gives less time for the prize to fall. For example, you can align the claw slightly over the chute and attempt to drag or swing the plush directly into it when picked up.
These three straightforward techniques could help you leave the arcade with a prize instead of empty pockets.
