How To Win At Claw Machines? | Talking Point | Full Episode

Crane game, UFO catcher, claw machine. It may be known by different names but this classic arcade game is instantly recognisable to everyone who sees it. This 80s staple is now making colourful comeback but it’s no longer just fun and games. With bigger prizes, and at least a thousand machines across Singapore, Talking Point investigates if this is just entertainment, or sneaky rigging? Can you actually win at claw machines?
0:00 Diana battles a claw machine
2:10 Claw machine tournament
7:04 How do claw machines work?
10:36 What is inside a claw machine?
12:38 How do I win at claw machines?
18:01 Are claw machines rigged?
About the show:
Talking Point investigates a current issue or event, offering different perspectives to local stories and revealing how it all affects you.
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[@sg.johnlim]

I used to work with a Taiwanese company selling these machines. The claw is controlled by electronic magnets. We can tune how many seconds the claw remains strong or not. Unless you catch the timing, else is hard to catch. But the engineer will come and change timing weekly. We can even calculate the sales of the items. If no sales, we will increase the strength. If too easy to catch, we will shorten the time for the claw to remain strong.

[@tanhockjun]

Feiloli?

[@r.sakarollsafe1285]

engineer is too generous to call them. technician is the better term

[@ClawHunter1996]

Please help subscribe my channel www.youtube.com/@ClawHunter1996

[@demoncloud6147]

@@r.sakarollsafe1285 Technicians with engineering degree

[@peggyheng7325]

​Kj

[@stargazeronesixseven]

Used to play these Claw Machines to try to win some cute & adorable items on offerings but normally get non in the end! 😅 Some of these Claw Machines or other Coin-Operated machines have catchy ear-worm music to attract the customers that were quite nostalgic & reminded us of our simpler , carefree & happier life in our past! 🙏 Thank You So Much CNA for illuminating us about how these Claw Machines work & for bringing back some of our past fond memories ... 🌷🌿🌎💜🕊🇸🇬🇲🇾

[@Natural_Infinity]

I have been subscribed to some of the pro claw machine players in japan, and you def see they NEVER use the claw to grab the prize directly. They always use the claws for either to push/pull/hook/roll the prize so it will fall cuz of gravity. Some of them also love using the tornado move where they just keep swinging the claw near the stacked prize on the back so they will fall down.... some of them also grab other part inside the machine (thats holding the prize) just to tumble more prizes down, its pretty interesting to watch lol

[@jocelynhuang7949]

can you share the channels?

[@jaimindaka5827]

​@@jocelynhuang7949Claw master

[@lemonsq]

@@jocelynhuang7949 claw master is a good channel that show's a lot of different techniques on different machines.

[@Dubhaltagh]

also wondering the channel names?

[@Natural_Infinity]

@@jocelynhuang7949 sorry for the late respond, i just saw the message today and didnt get the notification from youtube somehow! The youtube channel name is CLAW MASTER www.youtube.com/@clawmaster7196

[@TheMessyDeskxyz]

There are youtube channels of claw machine shop owners from Japan and they show how they test and set the machines so that the machines are winnable, but not TOO winnable so they won’t make a loss. They can change the claw strength, prize positioning, poles etc… It’s actually quite interesting to see how creative they are in the settings. There’s definitely skill involved, and the more skilful you are, the less you need to rely on luck… It’s funny how trends cycle. Claws machines nearly completely disappeared like what, 8 years back? Now they are back with a vengeance

[@zonghanlim7967]

I've seen that the Claw Machines in Taiwan has an actual reader on the machine itself where it displays how many more credits to the next "Sure Win", where the claw strength is maximum and it is only reset when something drops through the winning chute. It seems fairer to the players and certainly gives rise to many more ways to strategise and maximise your winnings on these machines.

[@kelvinkwok5305]

Because their law dictates that you have to release a prize for spending certain amount of money.

[@abbygale4913]

Im symphatize with people like u. Thinking there is a chance to win any with the scammer😂

[@smokingcrab2290]

"the claw is our master. The claw chooses who will go and who will stay"

[@lilytea3]

2:04: 🧩 The video discusses organizing a claw machine tournament to compare the winning probabilities of newbies and skilled players. 4:40: 🎮 Luck plays a significant role in winning at claw machines, but there is also a skill involved. 9:16: 🕹 The claw machine technician explains the inner workings of the machine and how the settings are adjusted for fair gameplay. 13:12: 🕹 The claw machine business in Singapore is booming, with over 20 dedicated arcades and operators competing for customers. 16:48: 🕹 Claw machines are designed to be fun and provide a challenge for players. 21:01: 🎮 Claw machine operators adjust settings to strike a balance between providing a challenging game, giving out wins, and keeping their businesses afloat. Recap by Tammy AI

[@abbygale4913]

Its a scam. Get real

[@neorenjie]

Depends on the machine. If you can't even pick up the toy at all, it's all luck. If the claw allows you to pick it up and then dropping the toy immediately, that is a skill machine that you can win a lot from.

[@glenimbang3742]

The machines definitely have difficulty level.. Fun is a factor so its stimulates your mind.. Then you become competitive so you have to learn the skills and technique to avoid industry rigged secrets... So far 63 plus catches ..Road to 100 to 2024.. Nice

[@wafersticks]

Very interesting topic. Good job!

[@ylein6508]

Such an interesting topic. Good job

[@Arielswonderworld]

I love playing claw machines 😊

[@CapDingo1975]

Diana, been watching you for decades. You age really well, and love your personality and positivity!

[@fernandameneses2291]

i loved the video!! ❤️

[@woozymoozy8277]

It doesn't t need some head spinning mathematic probability and stuff. It is basically the claw strength can be set

[@tanhockjun]

Ya the math part is unnecessary

[@johnwig285]

U dont get the whole point of the experiment. It is to show the performance between a newbie and a pro. The claw strength is equal for both groups. This video is not abt comparing strength vs win rate dude 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@watchforever1724]

Yeah

[@samuelross9884]

Imagine a grocery store with claw machines. Win a free cabbage! 😏😏😏😏😏😏

[@user-jj4jg9jp7r]

fr hahahahahaha

[@jlocke3482]

The reporter is nodding during the calculations, but she's probably thinking about lunch.

[@tanhockjun]

Yummy~

[@627dotdot]

This is how you realize there is not much in Singapore to document about lol

[@tkyap2524]

Both skill and luck. It's about hitting the sweet spot. An addictive and expensive fun.

[@dariusq8894]

While this expose only showed one style of claw machine there are several different varieties across the world, each with different play techniques to be successful. My favorite are the Japanese style 'UFO catcher' machines.

[@Alan-Aus]

i recalled spending so much money trying to get the toys from the machine just to please my girlfriends (exes)

[@tanhockjun]

Time to learn some skill~

[@erahamzah6983]

tuff

[@Kell-ic7yn]

What a fun documentary, so tired of seeing people suffering and in misery. Thank you

[@Harry-lz9oz]

Well explained by the Chinese professor!

[@samirarora7293]

2:10 - Frequentist approach to probability and introduction to experiment design.

[@teddyd2834]

I got a room filled with claw machine toys in boxes. Basically is all skill. I have stop playing for long time. 😊

[@RoyLimisAw3s0me]

the best thing to grab is closest to the holes.... further is a harder choice

[@WildWowWorldofVideos]

It is actually a matter of recognising whether the claw can do something and whether the toys can come out of the chute, dont rely on a payout

[@Sk-dc9vb]

Used to be in many years for Singapore and better quality. Come and see my collection. Most of Toys were from Sega caught in UFO Catcher. Rare toys. I got 1000s of them. From Alice in Wonderland, Chip n Dale, Pinocchio, 3 little pigs n the wolf, nightmare before xmas, toy story, beauty n the beast, stitch etc, mostly caught by my hubby. Got a show case at home for them. Some also caught in Japan. Got a pair of 50cm chip n dale from Japan too.

[@endasruswandi7889]

VERY NICE................ ......

[@Rion-uc4rp]

Surprisingly there was no mention about how these machines could be programmed to strengthen the claw after X amount of tries. Tri-claw machines are pretty rigged imo and need plenty of luck to win. Dual claw machines which are more popular in Japan require slightly lesser luck and more skill since the objective is not to pick up prize but rather to shift it until it falls. That said, there are still plenty of opportunities to rig it against you.

[@a.o9656]

It does mention it. Around 10mins in...

[@Rion-uc4rp]

@@a.o9656 the tech guy merely explained about setting the strength of the claw and speed of the crane. He did not mention about the setting I mentioned above which is making the game unfair like slot machines.

[@skyblkbly7261]

Cheap entertainment

[@ejj9613]

I believe of what he wrote in the articles , from japan game developer, it say a ' maybe win system 'formula

[@gilberttello08]

Hello from Philippines

[@kennytan5055]

the guy in fred perry tee england sibei ah beng

[@tommyliangwei3724]

Uploaded in June 2023: Claw Machines are AWESOME!

[@tommyliangwei3724]

Polytechnic Students Age 17 - born in 2006.

[@kjrchannel1480]

Claw machines are not much different than redemption or ticket games because most have a payout percentage to money in algorithm in the software. There is only one real skill, which is persistence. I used to operate arcades and repair all equipment in them. Some places in the USA considered claw games as gambling devices, but allow children to gamble on redemption games.

[@hmk5123]

This gave me some real good insight

[@Edmund.]

the prize is usually very cheap, you could probably get one or more per play

[@watchforever1724]

Yeah

[@tanhockjun]

Looks like fun claw had low winning rate... 16:15 PP said need to kiap the head 🤨🤨🤨

[@ngck]

Actually, having the 20 players play on the same machine might not be totally fair, depending on how the machine is setup. If I am not wrong, machines can be programmed to "win" at every nth (e.g. every 11th play), so your winning chance at the test also depends on your position in the queue. You need much more than 20 games to get a more conclusive result. It's still much more of a luck game than a skill-based game imo. Notice that when the so-called pro players tried to demo the technique, it doesn't succeed on first try either. There's still an element of luck involved.

[@avo5499]

Don't take it too seriously lol. It's got an experiment with 10 participants, which is argue isn't exactly the most scientific. But hey, entertaining enough to watch 🙂

[@ChenBeixuancultivatingnshieeet]

these machines are much better than the ones you play at the fair or carnival. Those ones like throwing balls into a cup, or knocking down cans, are rigged even worse and hardly ever give prizes.

[@GilaHMonster]

She asked about the speed but not the manipulation of the claw strength. WTF!?

[@zhuoxinshawnlin9298]

Timezone. There is a controller at e bottom of e machine. We key in e cost, the no of plays etc. So u must play X number of times before u can win e toy. With eaxh play, e claw becums stronger

[@debernard1910]

go part 2 on the ticket system.

[@JDLuffy]

this episode is so amusing, lol the so called coaches are like just trying their luck. so the so called techniques and whatever doesnt seem to present and edge at all to be honest haha. nvtheless its a very interesting topic and episode for cna :)

[@alvinkuo]

From the video, the machine were topped up for the test which is understandable, but in reality most machines are not topped up which makes it difficult to catch.

[@markarmage3776]

It's not skill or luck, it's math. It's a hidden gambling machine.

[@cafezo87934]

Skill brings you luck.

[@reagannnoww]

Bro coded a Sigma game

[@rachel_vill]

Most arms are weak, you have to spend a lot just to get a small item which you are not even sure to get

[@jimium3525]

If it’s mainly skill then why don’t they set the claw strength to the highest? Some pack the prizes so tightly that the claw just pokes at it. Claw machines are rigged to an extent. The stuffed animals are just a few bucks but yet it takes a player over $10 just to win one and that’s only if they win. Isn’t that a great profit margin?

[@tanyamarie987]

diz is LOUDLY callin' me, cna fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! give me all da tokens i can do diz all day long. ermahgerd i want all those plushies ima jus' have to break all those claw machines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 💖🤣🤩😍💎🎯💝

[@MajorBlitz]

19:43 the boss not being honest. The number 1 objective is to make money. As long as there are profits, who wins or has fun is irrelevant. How many people actually reach the point where they want to spend more money than its worth, for a challenge on the same machine to get the toy? Claw machines operate on profit basis and use sunk cost fallacy to take advantage of us.

[@prolikereal2]

So did Diana keep the toy or give to producer who paid for it😅

[@usersss100]

For the guys, what do they do with the plushies

[@tanhockjun]

I also got no idea... Fill up the entire room?

[@nuovox]

This english accent from which palia country one?

[@junbecks]

Which country taught you to write that way?

[@PureVikingPowers]

When she ask 2:12 "is it possible to estimate the winning probability of the newbies versus the skilled players?" And he say's yes he means like 10 000+ people playing for a year i would hope because there's always human error.

[@anglo-saxonconnor817]

These machines you either don't get start on it ever or you go and try it a few times to see whether you have the gift to play it and then you can stay away from them forever or indulge in them occasionally when the mood strikes. It's very easy. You either know you are good in grabbing the plushies or totally unable to very soon after you played it. Also if you aren't into soft toys then good for you because you already won. You won't be attracted to these machines at all.

[@ABC-ed8cg]

I’ve personally seen a claw machine staff deliberately loosen the grip of the claw a few times so as to make sure the toy will drop off. It’s a common practice so that ppl will throw in lots of $$ to try their luck.

[@kingcat2307]

Neither skill nor luck. Just rigged!

[@randomsgvideoguy3972]

There is a payout rate and the strength of the claw (can be set).

[@watchforever1724]

Yeah

[@boispad]

I was i mean one of them

[@ejj9613]

I believe that programme system set up depends on how much money you input and make the claw strong to capture

[@bakaneko2141]

Firstly the data more likely not accurate at all. You don't need skills to win a plush when you have more time to kill/spend at that particular shop/arcade. You just need to wait for someone to invest or sacrifice, if he/she didn't win anything after spent quite an amount of tokens, you just continue to play at that particular machine and the claw has high probability won't release or loose up. Its all about their profit margin and the setting is according to their ratio 20:1 or 25:1 or etc., depends on the price of the toy and amount of tokens need for a game. Firstly, you should win a prize first for it to reset before starting your challenge. Secondly, this is not a common at all, with all the plushies surrounding the prize hole, as you can see they just bounced to the hole even after you have failed and the number of plushies should be less after someone has won them and will become harder for the next player. Lastly, unless you guys ask the shop keeper to refill it, if not it won't be that much left after u guys have won 17 plushies.

[@boonkar3583]

2:13 sigma

[@ONCE334]

There's actually a report on this?

[@khinweepang]

14:02 How come the claw opens up before it reaches the chute? Scam setting kena caught on TV lol.

[@tanhockjun]

看了一些留言,看来有些人被电得很惨😏

[@celestialstar124]

I don't believe the first 10 round is winning and next round is lose. The expert you interview seems not professional at all.

[@tanhockjun]

Of course not a claw machine player, for me i only kiap maybe the 1 or 2 got good chancs to win then i skip to the next machine, i hardly spend 20 tokens for the same machine for plushies

[@celestialstar124]

@@tanhockjun same as my friends, they usually will say can or cannot kiap a particular toy then usually spend less than 10 attempts to get it. I totally adore such skills and i am sure it wasn't purely depends on luck.

[@Keep-Righteousness]

Stealing is conducted when neither parties are not willing to give up their belongings.... For example gambling...

[@jerrywongjh]

I own a claw machine at home. I’m very sure the owner can rig (adjust the settings to your disadvantage). Skills is just a gimmick, I can lower the winning rate all the way down.

[@QzSG]

Pretty sure play united set their claws now to random strength after x amount of tokens LOL. It is very easy to say machine is not rigged because the machines themselves have settings for random payouts or after x amount of tokens

[@BabaBlack89]

knn u still need someone to tell you that pros have an edge and theres definitely skill involved?

[@tanhockjun]

🤣🤣🤣

[@celestialstar124]

I strongly believe it is skill. I have a few friends who catch something within a few try. There are times i really want a particular soft toy i will ask them for help. I myself never caught any item via the claw machine.

[@tanhockjun]

Yes, but the claw coaches doesn't do very well in it

[@celestialstar124]

@@tanhockjun agree

[@user-jj4jg9jp7r]

@@tanhockjun fr

[@unclelive6918]

You a girl without telling you are

[@watchforever1724]

I mean most machines are rigged the only way to win is it needs to be near the machine to win I have won some before

[@k_krawkraw]

Crane game/UFO catchers are the japanese kind and they have a total different gameplay all together. Please don't put them all together and spread the wrong info. CNA you can contact me to do another 30min video on Japanese catchers.

[@jeffseah397]

Went Bali that time,the claw machine there was very clear cheating,when a soft toy was be caught by the claw,it raise and the claw was open before moving to the hole to drop and the soft toy did not drop by itself whatsoever,when I ask the staff and they simply smile and walk off

[@kenli9611]

Hahaha i really find it funny claw machines is all about fun and entertainment its a game you pay to play. Its a gaming machine not a vending machine. Just like you buy 4D you pay to hope for a win claw machine is also the same play to hope for a win those owners out there also need to make money those prizes also need cost de lei they dont drop from sky or grow on trees de lei rental and worker also not free de lei cost price $10 to 20 plush or figurine cannot be let you $1 win mah 😂 . Claw machines as long the claw strength is set it stay that way it does not get stronger each time you play also set strength at 20 means 20 all the way till payout and the payout strength also see the owner from 1 to 48. Also need to see the type of claw the machine is using factory claw (silver type) even you max the claw strength also very weak unless they change to JS claw even just set it at 20 is already alot stronger than normal claw at max 48 normally JS claw is used for figurine or very heavy items. For some machine people often ask why the claw not straight, why the claw slanted , why will throw back de this type of machine that will throw back in one normally are the skill machine the owner give you strong claw strength as long your skill is there you can win it easily and item normally more expensive but if you are skilled enough you stand a fair chance of winning as the claw strength will always be strong but at the same time alot of skill is required (swing skill). Claw machine game is just like a puzzle you just need to solve it claw machine is not about catching it out its about pulling dragging and flipping the prize out to win its all about entertainment not a vending machine 😊

[@dolan-duk]

Go and watch "CLAW MASTER", he demonstrates many out of the box methods of beating these machines - including spinning the claw around to knock over the toys stacked up at the back of the machine that are there as decoration to make them fall into the play area or the exit.

[@andytanuw5435]

Yup, I do like claw master too... he really have a lot of technique for many different machine... the pro in this video is just to amateur, the only show simpke trick that not really usefull

[@happymelon7129]

Seem like so many people still don't know Claw Machines grip are programmable. It can be program 1 strong grip after a number of play. During weak grip cycle , you can never catch anything.

[@themeaningoflifeexpert]

I spent less than the two guys and have more subs than them 😊

[@tanhockjun]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Anonymous_Pers0n]

These claws are all rig

[@WildWowWorldofVideos]

Omg its claw coach and payout prophet

[@clawcoach]

Yes it is ;)

[@WildWowWorldofVideos]

@clawcoach hi, big fan of you here. You uploaded more regularly previously, and I always look forward to your videos. You missed out teaching the stab technique to CNA, hahaha

[@tanhockjun]

​@@WildWowWorldofVideosscoop technique 😂😂😂

[@pigssr]

​@aaronchen7762 thanks for your support aaron! We're in the midst of planning for a more in-depth study of winning techniques so stay tuned! 😁

[@enchemist]

just tell yourself do you need this toy at your house to collect dust for the next 10 years? can easily walk away.

[@CherylT-is9ui]

her accent not consistent one 😂

[@mrtienphysics666]

This is a form of gambling and should be regulated.

[@PapSucks]

No it is not

[@PapSucks]

The gov doenst have the right to control everything

[@mrtienphysics666]

@PapSucks how much did you claw in comparison to how much have you spent?

[@angsweeyock1302]

No point in singapore , Csgo skins gambling and gacha based mobile/pc games still exist, only way to regulated is by your own supervision and parental control

[@baraclude]

Yes, it's rigged. Just less rigged than some other machines.

[@ragsoh]

If I have to spend $50 to win one of those plushies, I would rather buy the plushie from a toy store - which I am sure would costs less than $50!

[@joshhsh21]

Spend 1000 dollars on claw machines call pro. Lmao

[@tanhockjun]

🤣🤣🤣

[@bryanttan7127]

Sounds like Casino. 🎉🎉🎉

[@Ltwentytwo]

essentially a casino

[@user-jj4jg9jp7r]

Theres actually no such thing as ¨pro" or "newbie" players it is just about luck. Machines can be rigged actually. They can set the strength to very weak but when u see a prize that u want. You would still play to win it.

[@perhapsasongortwo4812]

I tried claw machines once or twice and realized the things in them are worth a dollar and I had paid 2.00 to get nothing. Never played again.

[@sunnygarden4948]

I spent $0.00 on claw machines, i WIN!!!

[@tanhockjun]

🤣🤣🤣

[@michaeltorio3459]

Go to the arcade at night ask the. rig the game. 😮

[@zZiL341yRj736]

This is rigging and robbery.

[@kelana112a]

I wonder who Ever calculate the cost of getting the toys (cost of playing) vs buying the toys?

[@daijoubu4529]

lol come on, we all know claw machine is random luck, it's like lottery. Depends how it was configured

[@6dsg]

prof you can't hide your accent, sounds like you're PRC

[@Ranger629]

Thommas Teo - Rolex GMT Master II 116713 (SGD $18,000) Wang Wenhe - Audemar Piguet 15300OR (SGD $43,000) So the biggest losers are the players. Because all the "tries" they attempt are just funding these people with more luxury items. It's the same exact fallacy as Casino. The ultimate winner is always the house.

[@isaacng315]

total scam and waste of money.

[@user-oh6wb5rj2q]

Claw machines are basically “kids” version for casino