8 Expert Strategies to Dominate Claw Machine Challenges

Unless you can physically fit inside the machine, snagging a prize from a claw machine can feel nearly impossible. However, Los Angeles Times film reporter Jen Yamato and film critic Kim Morgan have mastered the art. Yamato boasts an impressive collection of 100 toys from claw machines, while Morgan once accumulated so many stuffed animals that she filled two large garbage bags in a single year, eventually donating them.

Morgan’s fascination with claw machines dates back to 2008, when she found herself captivated by the allure of stuffed toys and the mechanical claw’s fairy-tale-like charm. She recalls a memorable moment when she won six prizes in a row, drawing a crowd of onlookers. Yamato, on the other hand, discovered her talent as an adult, documenting her wins on Instagram. She describes the thrill of victory as a rare opportunity to embrace her competitive side and proudly showcase her hard-earned prizes.

While it may appear to be all fun and games, there’s a surprising level of skill involved. Below, Morgan and Yamato share their top strategies for claw machine success.

1. Inspect the Prize Pit Carefully

Before diving into a claw machine game, your first step should be to examine the prize pit. Pay close attention to how densely the prizes are arranged. Yamato explains, “A clear sign of difficulty is when all the stuffed animals are neatly front-faced and packed tightly, like sardines. This indicates that nothing has been loosened yet, or an employee might have recently restocked the machine.” A tightly-packed pit significantly increases the challenge: “I avoid machines that are obviously overstuffed,” Yamato adds. “It’s nearly impossible to grab anything from them.”

Morgan shares the same perspective. “If the toys are crammed so tightly that grabbing is futile, it’s not worth your time,” she advises. “I prefer seeking out isolated claw machines in less frequented locations—they’re often less tightly packed. These are the spots where you have a better chance of winning, as there’s more space to maneuver and drag a prize out.”

2. Observe the Previous Player

Yamato suggests, “Focus less on how the person before you plays and more on how the machine responds during their turn. This observation can provide valuable insights for your own attempt. If the claw’s grip appears weak or if it’s programmed to release or shake after grabbing, I’ll usually avoid playing—unless there’s an irresistible prize. In that case, I might invest a bit more time and effort.”

3. Choose Your Target Wisely

Yamato and Morgan emphasize selecting the most achievable prize. “The most appealing items are often the toughest to grab,” Yamato notes. “Staying realistic about what’s possible in a specific machine increases your chances of winning.”

Morgan adds, “If the attractive pony tucked tightly next to the adorable teddy bear is out of reach, you might have to settle for the quirky, less appealing creature with red shoes and a cape—or whatever it happens to be—and make peace with your choice.”

The perfect prize, according to Yamato, is one that “protrudes slightly, isn’t blocked by other items, and isn’t positioned too close to the edges.” (Prizes pressed against the glass are often unreachable due to the claw’s movement limitations.) Morgan also recommends targeting prizes near the drop chute: “Avoid trying to drag something from the far end of the machine,” she advises. “It almost never succeeds.”

Yamato steers clear of round or bulky objects. “They’re tricky because there’s often nothing to grip,” she explains. Instead, she suggests aiming for prizes with protruding features like heads, arms, or legs: “Your best chance is to find something where you can slide one of the claw’s prongs underneath, provided the angle is right.”

4. Test the Claw’s Grip with a Single Play...

Once Yamato selects her target, she plays once to “assess the claw’s grip strength and how well it holds after closing,” she says. “Many claws loosen or jiggle open immediately after grabbing, which can ruin your chances even if you’ve secured a prize.” If this happens, Yamato typically avoids playing again... “most of the time.”

Machines with three-pronged claws are generally easier to play than those with two-pronged ones. “It all comes down to grip strength—if the claw is weak, it’s not worth it,” Morgan states. “Two-pronged claws tend to feel less reliable to me.”

5. … and consider repositioning your desired prize for a better chance.

Morgan suggests, “One effective tactic is to push another prize aside to reach your desired one.” She also recommends grabbing and pulling a prize nearer to the chute, making it easier to secure on your next try.

6. Spend the majority of your time aligning the claw perfectly.

Most claw machines operate with a single button press to drop and grab, though a few require two—one to lower the claw and another to close it. Regardless, Yamato notes, “The majority of machines provide ample time to position the claw, allowing movement forward, backward, and sideways. I typically use most of the countdown to ensure the claw is precisely aligned above my target.” Once perfectly positioned, release the claw.

7. Recognize When to Quit

With most machines costing 50 cents per play, Yamato usually starts with a dollar. “About half the time, I win a prize on my first dollar,” she shares. “I typically limit myself to a couple of dollars before deciding it’s time to walk away. It’s similar to gambling—except there’s no monetary reward!”

Morgan admits that winning often takes several attempts on “decent machines.” She adds, “On poorly maintained machines—which seem to be more common now—it can take five to 10 tries, or sometimes it’s just impossible. I never go beyond 10 attempts.”

8. Not Every Claw Machine Is Rigged

In 2015, Vox published an article detailing how claw machine owners can manipulate their games. However, Yamato disagrees that every machine is rigged. “Some players might avoid claw machines, assuming they’re all designed to cheat them, but that’s not the case,” she explains. “I firmly believe every claw machine is winnable—it just depends on how long I’m willing to keep trying, especially if I sense the machine is being stubborn.” She advises steering clear of machines with money wrapped around the prizes: “From my experience,” Yamato adds, “those are typically the rigged ones.”

Morgan, however, is convinced that many machines are rigged, which is why she favors playing in less frequented locations, such as California’s Yucca Valley. “Are desert machines less rigged? I believe so,” she says. “I’ve had remarkable luck there. The desert is always my go-to spot for claw machines.”