Q&A for How to Win at a Claw Machine

Try to aim towards the middle or, if it's bulky, aim towards the side that is pointing up.

It is very difficult, so try to aim to grab the center of the object, depending on the claw size.

Sometimes they drop automatically. Once you have the item you want, move the claw over to the dispense hole; it may even move on its own. If it doesn't drop the item, now would be a good time to test it out! Don't test it earlier, or the "game" will be over.

Since winning is virtually impossible, avoid playing this machine. Tell the arcade manager that the prizes aren't winnable, making it unfair. Hopefully the manager will switch out the prizes for smaller ones.

It is probably unwinnable. You could play once to try to move it, and then possibly win it on the next game, but that would cost twice as much.

Like they say, practice makes perfect, so you'll need to use a claw machine as often as possible. Also, try practicing your aim with things other than a claw machine.

If there are buttons that just go forward and right, go forward first, than move over until over the prize you want to get.

This is quite common. Just keep trying.

Unfortunately, if you find that the claw has a weak grasp, it may be better to look for another machine.

That may be the case with a very small number of machines, but you shouldn't rely on that as an easy way of winning with most machines.

There’s not too much you can do, unfortunately. You can watch videos of people playing claw machines, or consider investing in a toy claw, which costs $20-$30.

Some prizes are going to be harder to grab onto with a claw, especially if they're circular and smooth. If you're having a lot of trouble grabbing a certain prize, you may want to try going for a different prize or going for that prize in a different machine. Switching from a 3-pronged claw to a 4-pronged claw, for example, may make it easier for you to grab the prize.

The amount of money you will need to invest depends on how many tries it takes you to win and the cost per play.

If you're aiming for a roll of tickets, try positioning the claw so one of the prongs land in the center of the roll.

Probably four-pronged ones are the best because it supports more of the prize.

This varies from machine to machine. On some machines, the claw will automatically drop when your time runs out and will grab whatever it comes into contact with first. On others, you can control when the claw drops and when it grabs onto a prize. Most machines will move the claw over the drop chute and drop the prize automatically.

No, most likely not. I would save your money.

Unfortunately, if this happens you won't win the prize.

Most claw machines don't have a payout rate in terms of how many prizes they give out. Instead, a lot of machines have a variable setting so that the claw only grabs at full strength at certain intervals. It's usually at intervals of 10, meaning that the claw only uses its full grabbing strength every 10th try.

In some cases it is easier to win with the prize if it is standing up. If the prize is too tall/long for the claw, then it will most likely fall over. If the prize can fit in the claw when standing, then by all means go for it.

It will actually become easier for you. The best way is to just pick an upright toy.

If the prizes in the pit look expensive, that machine is more likely to be rigged. In those instances, trying to win at that claw machine is probably just a waste of money. For example, steer clear of prize pits where the prizes are high-end pieces of technology, like smartphones, or have money wrapped around them.

You could totally try to move the other toys out of the way, but this will probably end up costing you a lot of money. They usually put the best prizes at the bottom so they're more difficult to win.

Yes, but usually the claw won't be as strong on these machines because they want you to waste money trying to grab a phone.

It should say on the side, "Ten Chances" or something like that. If not, it might have a countdown on the machine (not for how long you have until the claw lowers but for how many chances you have to win). The claw will also let you move it again after it goes back to its starting position.

Not usually. Inside the box is a gift card that you can use to buy the phone (exact amount will be given). Sometimes, if the fall distance isn't high, then the phone will be inside, but this is highly unlikely.

Try to tell her that not all claw machines are rigged. Practice makes perfect! Even if it’s not rigged, tell her that you didn’t get it from your own skill. Hopefully she will let you play. Also play once and if it’s rigged, then don’t play again. Most e claws are rigged though, so she's mostly right.