Humor

The Claw Machine at the Arcade Meets Its Match

As they’re set up for failure, it’s difficult to win a prize

Introduction

Arcade games lure people in, like casinos lure in gamblers. There’s always the chance of winning, but more than likely not. Then someone comes along with luck on their side, a special skill, or sheer determination, and wins the “jackpot.”

The lure of the claw machine

After a busy day of swimming with my son’s family at an indoor water park, the kids wanted to visit the arcade, which was located on the same floor as our two adjacent hotel rooms.

Before entering, we could see from a distance a large claw machine displaying huge rainbow-colored balls luring the kids over.

I’m not a fan of arcade games because I know they’re set up for failure, but this one had a rather large claw and very attractive, large beach balls.

My granddaughters started begging their mom to try to win them one. She agreed to give it a few tries “just for fun,” figuring she’d probably be throwing her money away, and told them not to get their hopes up.

We waited our turn as another person was already playing with his two kids alongside him, begging him to keep trying. We watched him for a while, trying repeatedly to win a ball, but to no avail.

After about 20 minutes, the man says, “I give up. These things are rigged!” and off he goes, letting us have the arcade game.

How did she do that?

Undeterred by his failure to procure a coveted ball, my daughter-in-law, Paula, inserts her dollar into the machine and begins moving the claw. Before she lets it drop, she stops as it’s hovering over one of the balls.

She then proceeds to walk around the sides to eyeball the claw from every angle. It was amusing to watch her squinting at her finger, which she’s using as a measuring device, the whole time muttering to herself.

She then positions herself in front of the machine and carefully adjusts the claw. After hitting the button to drop the claw over the desired prize, she successfully grabs it. Then just as carefully, guides it towards the chute, releases its hold, and out pops a huge rainbow-colored ball!

My youngest granddaughter reaches out as Paula hands it to her to the sound of a small cheering crowd, including the man who wasn’t successful before us.

Reminding the kids that the odds were stacked against us and that she may not succeed a second time, she promised to press her luck and try to win one for the older daughter.

Repeating the same process as before — the girls anxiously watching — she misses!

Now the crowd’s chanting “oohs” and “ahs,” and “That’s too bad!” and “Try again!”

Paula musters up her courage and puts another dollar into the slot. She sets the claw in motion, and it hovers over another desired ball.

She eyeballs the claw from every direction again, as she’s muttering and squinting, then makes a final adjustment before dropping the claw, which lands around a ball, securely clutching it.

With everyone watching, Paula carefully lifts the prize upward, displaying it triumphantly. Tension builds as she guides the claw towards the chute. A click of the button, and another ball comes rolling out!

It’s another win! More cheers from the crowd!

This game must be fixed!

Finally, the guy who had made many attempts to win a ball for his kids earlier asks her, “Do you work for the arcade? What’s the secret? Is there a trick to this?”

Paula chuckles and advises him to take his time and examine the claw machine from all angles to ensure the claw is properly centered before dropping it.

The man expresses gratitude for her guidance and returns to the machine with renewed focus alongside his awaiting children.

With everyone’s attention now on him, he follows Paula’s instructions, carefully examining the claw from all angles, dropping it precisely over a ball, but unfortunately misses his target.

“I’m not letting this defeat me!” He utters loudly as he tries again and misses so many more times that even if he won, the ball would have cost him well over $50.

His frustration got the better of him, and he gave up, shaking his head as he walked away, his kids following closely behind.

If she knows more, she’s not telling

We left the arcade with the girls hugging their oversized balls, amidst a chorus of applause and cheers.

Paula’s success in winning not one, but two prizes, left everyone, including myself, amazed and puzzled. Despite my curiosity, if there was more to the secret of her success, she never shared it with me.

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