Woman shares secret hack to up your chances of winning on the grabbing machines

If you’ve ever tried to snag yourself a plush toy from one of those arcade claw machines and been left clutching nothing but air - there could be a little trick you’re missing out on.

A TikTok user, who runs the @arcadefriends account dedicated to sharing hints and tips about upping your chances of winning at the arcade, has revealed a simple hack to help boost the claw’s grabbing power - check it out:

In the clip, a single pink bear can be seen lying at the bottom of the machine while the claw hovers above.

Now, if you’re anything like me you could try and grab that little guy 20 or 30 times and still come away empty handed, but this arcade expert has a tip they say will boost your chances of a win.

They explain: “Some people don’t know the secret about double tapping the claw machine. Watch my hand to see how I double tap…”

In the clip, the claw can be seen tentatively making its way towards the pink stuffed animal before lining up squarely over it, which - the TikTok user explains - is ‘all about timing’.

TikTok/@arcadefriends

The player then quickly taps the grab button twice in quick succession and the claw drops down and grabs the bear by the head before dropping it into the release area. Clever, eh?

Explaining what the double tap does, they wrote: “This gives the claw a strong grip and keeps it from rotating too far.” The more you know.

And it seems as though others who have tried the trick give it the thumbs up, too.

Replying to the clip, one follower commented: “BEST TIP! Doesn’t guarantee a win, but def ups your chances!”

TikTok/@arcadefriends

Another said: “I did this when I was younger then got a plushie by its tag.”

However, others disagreed, with one posting: “Whatever u do doesn’t matter. The machine has been programmed to win based on a percentage decided by the shop.”

And someone else said: “Claw machines grip once it has sufficient funds in them (set by the owner) it's then whether or not you were on target on that shot.”

Looks like the only way to find out if it works or not is to give it a go yourself. So excuse me, because I’m just off to raid my piggy bank and then I’m headed to the nearest arcade I can find.

Topics: TikTok

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at Tyla who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.