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"The Crane" is a skill game in which you lower a mechanical claw into a glass box in hopes to snag a prize. It looks easy, but most people rarely win. It's possible to win, but you need to have patience and you need to know when to quit.
Steps
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Understand the way the claw is programmed to close. Most machines have a setting which can be set by the operator to tighten the claw once in X amount of tries with a bit of randomization. Effectively, this means that the claw will be "loose" most of the time, but will tighten once in every X amount of turns (on an average––not necessarily every nth turn), so people only win every so often. [1] X Research source- There are also alternative, tricky programming for some machines. On such machines, there is a dual strength setting that causes them to grip with full strength initially and loosen after some time, giving the impression that the toy was caught but managed to slip. This effectively makes the machine more like a slot gambling machine rather than one depending on skill! [2] X Research source
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Be aware of the peculiarities of the older machines. Some older machines have claws with fixed strength from turn to turn. This is because these machines have claws with strengths that are fixed with a screw by opening the machine. In the case of such an older machine, skill can make quite a difference.
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Choose your machine. Don't play a machine that only has a right and forward button, when you've pressed and released each button once the claw will drop without you getting the chance to adjust. Look for one with a joystick and a "drop" button. -
Pick the target toy. When selecting the toy you think you can get, put aside the toy you really want but is trapped. There are ways to enhance the chances you'll get something from the machine:- Close in on a toy that is on top of the pile. If it has an arm or tail trapped under another toy, it won't come up, so avoid that one. The claw is strong enough to lift a toy, but not to un-wedge one. [3] X Research source
- Consider the shape of the toy. Avoid choosing round toys as the claw will probably slip on the toy. Choose toys with features that allow the claw to have a better grip, like a doll with large pigtails. [4] X Research source
- Pay attention to how far the claw-track reaches––toys against the glass are a no-go.
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Position the claw over the selected toy. Stand in front of the machine to do left-right, but stand beside the machine to do forward-back. The mirror that's in most machines screws up depth perception. -
Drop the claw when you think you've got it. -
Watch the claw with 100 percent focus. Some claws drift left or right, some rotate and change the position of the prongs. -
Adapt to the results of your "fishing." You probably didn't get it. [5] X Research source- If the prongs didn't close or let go of the animal without lifting it, stop immediately because the machine is broken or rigged.
- If the claw grabbed the toy, then dropped it, try again.
- If it missed entirely, adjust and don't forget to compensate for drift and rotation.
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If you haven't won, repeat the process to try again. That said, also know when to quit. If it's the toy you're after, you can probably get a very similar, better-made toy for 5-10 dollars at a box store or the mall. If you have spent two dollars, seriously evaluate whether it's worth it and whether the machine works. If you're after the thrill of the win, consider downloading an app for a game of skill and playing to win online without mounting cash losses.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat kind of toy will work the best?Community AnswerA toy that has a lot of space around it could be a good toy to go for since it's likely you won't "stab" another toy (and the claw can get a good grip around it).
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QuestionWhat if the machine grabs the toy, then when it gets to the top, the claw bounces and the toy falls?Community AnswerThen try again. That has happened to many people when they play the claw. If it happens several more times, than go for another toy.
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QuestionWhich body part should I go for if the toy is a plush human shape?Community AnswerYou should go for the biggest part for the best chance of getting it, which will likely be the body.
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Tips
- Decide which animal or item you want before you insert your money.Thanks
- Choose a toy with a large top and a small bottom. The crane will have a better grip of the top part.Thanks
- Chose a toy that is close to the chute so if the toy does slip, it will slip right into the chute. If the toy is right at the back and it slips, it will fall on to the gaming area.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Choose light prizes that have many grip points. For example, a pair of fuzzy dice would be easy to grab.
- Be very careful not to hit the sides and walls of the machine. Hitting them will stop you from winning!
- Look at the toy from around the sides and not just the front before you drop the claw.
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Warnings
- When reaching in to snag a toy (if you've chosen to), don't move too fast or else in the process of reaching in or pulling out, you might hurt yourself.Thanks
- Try not to bang on the machine––some have tilt mechanisms and will lock up if you do. It is also frowned upon to do this and you may be asked to leave.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Many quarters or tokens
- A quality crane game
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky71Y-1NyOY
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky71Y-1NyOY
- ↑ https://mentalfloss.com/article/65997/8-tips-beating-claw-machine
- ↑ https://mentalfloss.com/article/65997/8-tips-beating-claw-machine
- ↑ https://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/japanese-culture/japanese-claw-machine-7-tips-tricks-to-bag-your-prize.html
- http://youtube.com/watch?v=JejiJ-RgLVc
About This Article
Article Summary
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While most people walk away from The Crane machine empty-handed, it’s possible to beat the machine if you’re patient and understand how the game works. Most games are programmed to only tighten the claw every so often or to grip strongly at first and then loosen the hold over time. To defeat the machine, pick a toy that is on top of the pile, toward the middle of the box, and has a feature that it can grip on to. Position the claw over the selected toy and watch if it drifts while lowering it so you can make any adjustments. If you don’t win, try again, but think about how much money you want to sink into the game since you can probably get the same toy for a few dollars someplace else. To learn how to tell if a claw machine is rigged, keep reading!
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