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How to Hack a Mini Crane Machine

The mini crane machine is a large, glass-encased game found in places like arcades, convenience stores and restaurants. The premise is simple: Use the joystick to operate a claw inside the machine to obtain one of the prizes inside. These machines can be frustrating, as it's very difficult to actually win a prize. But there are ways to hack the game, to increase your chance of actually obtaining a prize.

Instructions

Fixed Claw Strength Machine
- 1
  Check the machine to see if it is a fixed claw strength machine. These machines are usually older and contain stuffed animals as prizes. The stuffed animals are physically compressed into the bottom of the bin, making them difficult to obtain.
- 2
  Locate a stuffed animal inside the machine that is sitting on top of other ones, rather than stuffed between them.
- 3
  Drop the claw over the animal, and try to pick it up. This is the best chance you'll have of winning a prize on a fixed claw strength machine.
Variable Strength Skill Crane
- 4
  Determine if the machine is variable strength. These machines are newer, and the claw strength generally is weak most of the time. This results in the inability to grip a prize, let alone lift it all the way out. However, the machine operator typically sets a cycle where the claw strength increases once every few turns.
- 5
  Watch others play the machine to determine the cycle of the claw strength. You'll know when someone uses the machine and the claw actually grips prizes.
- 6
  Use the machine on the turn you feel is the one where the claw strength increases. This is your best chance at winning a prize in these machines.

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