Beat the Crane
"The Crane" is a skill game in which you lower a mechanical claw into a glass box in hopes to snag a prize. It looks easy, but most people rarely win. It's possible to win, but you need to have patience and you need to know when to quit.
Contents
Steps
Psyching Out the Machine
- Understand the way the claw is programmed to close. Most machines have a setting which can be set by the operator to tighten the claw once in X amount of tries with a bit of randomization. Effectively, this means that the claw will be "loose" most of the time, but will tighten once in every X amount of turns (on an average––not necessarily every nth turn), so people only win every so often.
- There are also alternative, tricky programming for some machines. On such machines, there is a dual strength setting that causes them to grip with full strength initially and loosen after some time, giving the impression that the toy was caught but managed to slip. This effectively makes the machine more like a slot gambling machine rather than one depending on skill!
- Be aware of the peculiarities of the older machines. Some older machines have claws with fixed strength from turn to turn. This is because these machines have claws with strengths that are fixed with a screw by opening the machine. In the case of such an older machine, skill can make quite a difference.
Using Skills or Know-how to Defeat the Machine
- Choose your machine. Don't play a machine that only has a right and forward button, when you've pressed and released each button once the claw will drop without you getting the chance to adjust. Look for one with a joystick and a "drop" button.
- Pick the target toy. When selecting the toy you think you can get, put aside the toy you really want but is trapped. There are ways to enhance the chances you'll get something from the machine:
- Close in on a toy that is on top of the pile. If it has an arm or tail trapped under another toy, it won't come up, so avoid that one. The claw is strong enough to lift a toy, but not to un-wedge one.
- Consider the shape of the toy. Avoid choosing round toys as the claw will probably slip on the toy. Choose toys with features that allow the claw to have a better grip, like a doll with large pigtails.
- Pay attention to how far the claw-track reaches––toys against the glass are a no-go.
- Position the claw over the selected toy. Stand in front of the machine to do left-right, but stand beside the machine to do forward-back. The mirror that's in most machines screws up depth perception.
- Drop the claw when you think you've got it.
- Watch the claw with 100 percent focus. Some claws drift left or right, some rotate and change the position of the prongs.
- Adapt to the results of your "fishing." You probably didn't get it.
- If the prongs didn't close or let go of the animal without lifting it, stop immediately because the machine is broken or rigged.
- If the claw grabbed the toy, then dropped it, try again.
- If it missed entirely, adjust and don't forget to compensate for drift and rotation.
- If you haven't won, repeat the process to try again. That said, also know when to quit. If it's the toy you're after, you can probably get a very similar, better-made toy for 5-10 dollars at a box store or the mall. If you have spent two dollars, seriously evaluate whether it's worth it and whether the machine works. If you're after the thrill of the win, consider downloading an app for a game of skill and playing to win online without mounting cash losses.
Tips
- Chose a toy that is close to the chute so if the toy does slip, it will slip right into the chute. If the toy is right at the back and it slips, it will fall on to the gaming area.
- Decide which animal or item you want before you insert your money.
- Don't put in more than one game's worth of quarters at once. The machines don't give change, and sometimes it's obvious after one game that it won't work.
- Consider watching and waiting. Watch other people until a person wins. Tally mark all the losses until another win. Wait until more people play until you figure out it's a win shot. Take your turn and go for the prize. (Naturally, don't barge in and cause a fracas just because someone else hasn't finished their turns!)
- Know when not to give up. Yes, the claw dropped it and that sucks, but maybe now it'll be easier to grab.
- Look for special machines. Sometimes there are machines that only stop when you win, though the fee is raised.
- Don't start if you can only play one game. This will likely frustrate you.
- Yes, those jewelry machines are winnable. Stoop down to get a better line of sight on whether the claw is positioned correctly. The claws usually close more tightly, but you need to be more exact.
- When choosing a toy, choose one that is on the surface. Do not choose a toy that is underneath two other toys, no matter what the cost. The crane has a loose grip and will not be able to get a good grip of the toy, and it will most likely not pick up the toy.
- Choose a toy with a large top and a small bottom. The crane will have a better grip of the top part.
- When you are about to drop the claw but still have plenty of time left, hesitate! Aside from re-positioning it if needed, let the claw stop waving in every direction. Then the landing is smoother and you have a better chance of winning.
- Try to get someone to stand to the side of the machine and guide you; there are mirror effects.
- Sometimes, you can push the toy you want into the chute by trying to grab another toy next to the toy you want. The toy or claw may push the toy you want into the chute. Your target must be very close to the chute, though.
Warnings
- When reaching in to snag a toy (if you've chosen to), don't move too fast or else in the process of reaching in or pulling out, you might hurt yourself.
- Try not to bang on the machine––some have tilt mechanisms and will lock up if you do. It is also frowned upon to do this and you may be asked to leave.
Things You'll Need
- Many quarters or tokens
- A quality crane game
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