If you’re tired of never winning a prize on the claw machine, you could give this ‘one-prong’ method a go, and it’s been called ‘reliable’ by those who have tried it
For adults and kids alike, claw machines, also known as crane machines, bring a lot of joy. They are a staple at any arcade, and require you to use a joystick or buttons to guide a claw, lower it down to pick up a prize, before lifting it and dropping it over the exit chute.
It sounds simple, but as many arcade-goers will know, it’s easier said than done. For often than not, if you do manage to grab hold of a prize, the grabber will simply let go before you end up near the exit chute.
But luckily, claw machine experts have figured out ways to increase your chances of winning. One of these methods, which can help you win small plushies, is called the one-prong method.
Taking to TikTok, Cas, who often shares claw machine hacks though her @ClasonClawTok account, shared the method which she said works “for small plushies”. Simply put, it works by using one of the prongs to “drag” the plushies forward over the chute.
Cas explained: “Try this the next time you play. Instead of trying to grab with all three prongs, just use one prong. Aim for the farthest side, so when the claw closes, it pulls the plushie towards the chute. Why use one prong instead of three? Because three prongs often push the plushie down, or make it slip out.
“But one prong hooks and drags it forward, giving you a higher chance of dropping it in.” Cas explained you don’t need to panic if you don’t manage to win it on the first try, because you can just keep trying to edge the plushie closer to the edge.
People were fascinated by the technique in the comments section, with one person saying: “A reliable technique!” Another added: “I always try to look for opportunities to do something like this, but the machines i find either have ugly plushies or all of them are so stuck it’s impossible to get anything.”
Cas replied saying: “I find that the setups are better when i go at opening time.” If you’re still struggling, you could always try out a different method recommended by experts.
Erik Kane, also known as The Arcade Warrior, is a YouTuber and content creator who recently shared the “secret trick to win claw machines” almost every single time.
According to Erik, the trick is to “swing” the claw before it descends down to pick up the plushie toy. “Swinging the joystick can manoeuvre the claw into a more favourable grab position,” he explained.
With this, you don’t want to hit the head of the plushie when you lower it down, you want to hit the body. He explained: “This method is called the Diaper Grab and by grabbing the prize by the body, it forces the claw to close and balance the prize better, which in turn gives you a lot more wins.”
