Arcade Experts Tell Us Why We Never Win Toys in Claw ...

In arcades, claw machines draw in crowds, and it's no mystery why. Many people can't resist the adorable plush toys displayed in brightly lit cases, practically calling out to be taken home. There’s also the excitement of knowing that a well-timed move could send your coveted toy teetering into your hands. Yet, just when it seems like you're about to claim your prize, the claw drops the toy, leading to a familiar cycle of frustration and empty pockets.

So, how do these machines manipulate our desires and frustrate our efforts? To unravel this mystery, I spoke to several claw machine experts and arcade owners.

Are claw machines rigged?

Absolutely, yes! According to Umehara Keiji, a content creator from Singapore who frequently explores arcades on his YouTube channel, claw machines are “100 percent rigged.”

It’s essential to understand that when we say a machine is “rigged,” we refer to specific configurations that are intentionally set to make winning more challenging.

Umehara, who previously owned a claw machine while collaborating with a local arcade, explained that most machines have their settings finely tuned.

For instance, operators can adjust the strength of the claw for different phases: when the claw descends, ascends, or moves above the prize drop zone. This adjustment creates an illusion of victory, leading players to believe they’re on the verge of a win when, in reality, the claw's grip is weakest when the prize is closest to the chute.

This is the unwelcome reality of claw machines, as Umehara, who refers to himself as the Arcade Ninja, puts it.

Another expert known as Claw Coach points out another sneaky feature: predetermined win rates or “payouts.”

These machines are programmed to ensure that the value of the rewards is recouped before they allow a payout, Claw Coach noted. For example, if a toy has a value of $10 and each play costs $1, the machine may be set to payout only once every 15 tries. This means that in a payout round, players are more likely to experience a successful grab from the claw, as its strength is calibrated to be stronger during this time.

Rey Chua, who manages events at a claw machine rental service in Singapore, added that while claw machines vary, their mechanics are generally consistent. “The claw only catches tightly part of the time and not all the time,” he said. There is an element of skill and luck, but the machine settings can significantly affect your chances of winning.

Another rental company organizer, Jayden, shared that the difficulty level is often adjusted based on the value of the prizes within the machine, stating, “I can’t reveal much because I don’t want to spoil my rice bowl.” Despite their reticence, claw machine manuals often disclose key information.

For example, the manual for the Crane, a booth-shaped claw machine, explains how its claw strength is controllable through potentiometers that adjust the voltage delivered to the claw mechanism. One potentiometer dictates claw strength during retrieval after grabbing a prize, while the other manages its strength while moving to the chute. This variation is likely why players often see toys seemingly secured only to lose them close to the finish line.

The machine’s habit of narrowly missing its targets provokes players to keep trying, compounding the frustration, as Jayden noted.

Each claw machine can employ different strategies regarding claw strength. An article from Vox outlined how one machine featured three distinct strength settings, depending on the claw's movements. Machine owners can set their desired profit levels, which influences how often players experience the claw functioning at full strength for successful grabs.