Claw machine tips and tricks: how to win more often

We have all lost a go with the teddy already in the air. Claw machines involve a bit of luck, but above all they are a game of skill: look carefully, choose well and move calmly. These are the claw machine tips and tricks we see working again and again at the events where we install our machines.

1. Watch before you play

Spend half a minute watching the person ahead of you. Notice how the claw drops, whether it closes firmly or stays limp, and whether prizes slip out on the way up or at the last moment. That information is worth more than any blind attempt.

2. Pick the easy prize, not the prettiest

The most common mistake is going for the toy you like best. The right one is:

• loose, with no other prizes on top or alongside;
• on top of the pile, rather than buried;
• close to the chute, so the trip back is short.

A prize wedged between two others almost never comes out, however good the claw is.

3. Line up the claw from two angles

From the front you can only see whether the claw is right left-to-right. To check the depth, lean over and look through the side of the cabinet. Many machines have glass on all four sides for exactly this reason. Two seconds of checking saves a lot of lost goes.

4. Aim for the centre of gravity

With a plush toy, ideally the prongs close around the body, under the head or under the arms. If the toy is standing up, the head is a good grip point. With balls, centre the claw right above: with three prongs around it, the ball almost lifts itself.

5. Use your time, but do not run it out

Each game has a timer. Do not rush, but do not wait until the last second either: when time runs out, the claw drops wherever it is. Move, check and press when you are sure.

6. Move in short taps

On many machines the claw keeps moving slightly after you release the joystick. Use short taps to fine-tune the position rather than one long movement that overshoots.

7. Look for prizes with something sticking out

A label, a small ring, a raised arm or a ball resting on another gives the prongs something to hook onto. Go for prizes with something to grip.

8. Nudge prizes towards the chute

If a prize is very close to the chute but hard to grab, it can pay to push it with the claw so it sits on the edge. The next go becomes much easier, for you or whoever comes next.

9. Do not chase the impossible

If you have tried three times for the same prize and it will not budge, change target. Claw machines reward patience, not stubbornness.

10. Play at events, not in arcades

In an arcade, claw strength is set by the operator and is usually designed to make prizes hard to win. At an event, the goal is the opposite: the brand wants to hand out its merchandise. That is why our machines leave on the easiest difficulty setting. If you spot one of our claw machines at a trade show or a wedding, this is your moment.

The most common mistakes

After watching thousands of games at trade shows, weddings and shops, these are the mistakes we see most often:

• Dropping the claw in a hurry, without checking the depth from the side.
• Aiming at the edge of the prize instead of the centre: the claw brushes it and lets it fall.
• Going for the buried prize just because it is the nicest.
• Moving the joystick non-stop until the last second and letting the timer decide for you.
• Giving up after one go. Often the second attempt leaves the prize better placed for the third.

One extra tip: if there is a queue, watch how others play. Every game you watch is a free lesson in how that machine’s claw behaves.

Tips for organisers: how to make your guests win

If you are the one hiring the machine, you can help your audience win too:

• Choose prizes that are easy to grab. Plush toys of 10 to 15 cm, up to 150 g, or 9 cm balls with the gift inside.
• Fill the cabinet well. A full machine is easier and more appealing. We recommend at least 120 plush toys, and it holds up to 150 balls.
• Restock during the event. Place new prizes on top of the pile, loose and near the chute.
• Test anything that is not a plush toy. If you want to use another kind of gift, send us a sample and we will test it.
• Choose the difficulty. If you want everyone to win, we leave it on the easiest level. For a draw with expensive prizes, we raise it.

And if you want absolutely everyone to take something home regardless of skill, pair the claw machine with the giant gumball machine: every turn of the handle wins.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a foolproof claw machine trick?

No. But choosing a loose prize near the chute and lining up the claw from the side greatly improves your chances.

Are funfair machines harder?

It depends on how the operator sets them. The ones we hire out for events leave on the easiest setting.

Is it better to go for plush toys or balls?

9 cm balls are usually easier: the claw wraps around them well. With plush toys, look for ones with a clear head and arms.

To understand what happens inside the machine, read how a claw machine works.