You’ll find them lurking in the lobbies of grocery stores, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and arcades: the claw machine, that glass box of childhood excitement and elusive dreams. Whether your kids beg you to win them a stuffed narwhal, you’re feeling nostalgic, or you just finally want to enjoy the satisfaction of outwitting this frustrating machine, you’ll want to approach the game with grownup savvy.
The first thing to know is that claw machines are often rigged. Many are programmed to grip tightly only every few turns, loosening their hold mid-lift unless the machine’s payout threshold has been met. That’s why you see so many plush toys piled near the chute, a testament to the claw machine’s most common outcome: close, but no cigar.
Still, winning is possible — if you know how to play smart. You can do so by following the tips above.
Illustration by Ted Slampyak
