How to Win on Crane Machines – Get Good at Grabbers

by Xavier C | Casino & iGaming CRO Manager

2 April 2025 0 221

📚 Medium Read (6 mins)

Last Updated on 30 May 2025 by Xavier C

This is a shortened and summarised version of this page — we have included key points and important information.

🧸 Grab the Fun: Crane machines are iconic in UK seaside arcades, but winning isn’t just about luck – there’s a method to the madness if you know what to look for.

🤏 The Weak Claw Trick: Most claws are programmed to grab weakly on purpose and only do a proper “strong” grab after a set number of turns – usually 1 in 20 or more.

🕵️ Watch Before You Play: Always observe a few plays first – if the claw hasn’t held anything in ages, it might be about due for a full-strength grab.

📍 Pick the Right Toy: Go for ones near the chute or with limbs the claw can hook – avoid smooth, round plushies unless you’re feeling bold.

🎯 Perfect Your Aim: Use all angles available to line up the claw accurately – many machines are deliberately positioned to mess with your view.

🕹️ Try the Double Tap: Some machines respond to a quick second press just as the claw’s closing – it might give you a tighter grip if timed right.

🤝 Bring a Mate, Share the Win: Tag team the grabbers with a friend and cover more machines – but decide who gets what if you win!

Grabbers & Crane Games – The Hidden Secrets to Winning

Have you ever wondered how the hell people win on crane machines? Let me reminisce and take you back in time…

Ah, the sweet nostalgia of UK seaside arcades. Nothing quite beats the sound of crashing waves, the smell of fish and chips, and the endless rows of grabbers and crane games, each promising the thrill of victory and the joy of snagging a cuddly toy.

If you’ve ever put in twenty quid only to win a £2 teddy bear, you’re not alone. These games are notoriously tricky, and for good reason. But fear not, for we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you become a master of the claw!

How to Win on Crane Machines – Table of Contents

You Could Win a Cuddly Toy!

We’ve got a right old assortment of plush delights waiting to be grabbed. Fancy a knock-off Pokémon that looks like it’s been through the wash a few too many times? Or how about a cuddly aubergine for those who like their five-a-day extra soft? And let’s not forget our collection of off-brand superheroes – ‘Arachnid Bloke’ and ‘Bat Fella’ are always popular. So, shove in your 50p and have a go. You could be walking away with a new odd companion!

The Infamous Drop

Ever had that moment when the claw grabs your prize, only to drop it just before the chute? It’s like the machine’s having a right laugh at your expense! This happens because many grabbers are programmed to release their grip at certain points, making it harder for players to actually win. Now, that’s just not fair, is it!?

This drop failure can relate to our next point about the pre-programmed nature of how often it does a strong (proper) grab, but more often than not, if a crane arm has grabbed the prize and has made its way over to the chute, then it drops – that’s more to do with the size and weight of the prize, than it is about the crane arm releasing early.

The Loose Grip – It’s Pre-Programmed

Don’t get me started on that pathetic excuse for a grip some of these claws have – I swear that’s why I never win on crane machines. You line up the perfect grab, and the claw closes with all the strength of a wet noodle. It’s not you, it’s the machine – many crane games are set to only do a full grab once per a number of attempts.

Depending on the machine and how it’s been programmed, the crane might only perform a proper grab 1 in 20 times – sometimes worse, you could be looking at 1 in 30 or 1 in 40 if the operator is particularly stingy. So, next time you just can’t grab a toy – remember – you might be doing it exactly right, but the crane is not grabbing properly by design.

Tips and Tricks

Trust me, follow these tips and you should be able to win on crane machines more often. Despite the odds being stacked against us like a tower of 2p coins on a coin pusher machine, there are ways to beat the system.

Here are some top crane game tips for you:

1. Observe Before You Play

Watch a few rounds before you put in your money. See if the claw has a strong grip or if it seems to let go frequently. If it’s a frequent weak-grabber, it might be best to try another machine. Also, If the person before you is terrible, it might be worth a try, as they might have used up all the “non-grabs” and the next one will hold on tight!

2. Aim for Prizes Near the Drop:

Items that are close to the drop-off point are less likely to be dropped prematurely. Plus, they’re often easier to grab ahold of them tightly. Sometimes, once in a blue moon, you’ll get a toy that just needs a nudge over the edge, you don’t even need to grab it properly to get it to fall into the drop zone.

3. Go for the Right Shape:

Some toys are easier to grab than others. Round, smooth items are more likely to slip out of the claw’s grip. Opt for toys with arms or legs that the claw can easily latch onto. Even better if they have a loop of some kind, you might get lucky and it snags on the claw’s pincers (and hopefully works loose as it returns to the drop).

4. Check the Claw’s Strength:

Sometimes, the claw’s grip strength increases after several failed attempts. If you notice the machine hasn’t paid out in a while, it might be due for a win. This isn’t always the case, sometimes it either grabs properly or it doesn’t – it’s down to you to work out how many non-grabs it’s doing before a real one.

6. Be Strategic with Your Drops:

Aim to position the claw so it grabs the toy in a way that distributes its weight evenly. This can help prevent it from slipping out. For weight distribution, spherical toys are best (cuddly tomato anyone?), but they come with the added issue of not having anything extra to hold on to (like toys with arms or multiple limbs).

7. Use Every Viewing Angle You Can:

If we take out the whole randomness of when the claw is going to actually hold onto something, you still need to perfect your eye when it comes to lining up your claw. Make sure you can see from as many angles as possible, we’re talking above, below (the claw), from each side if possible. What you might notice is that some of these grabbers are placed next to each other, or in a corner somewhere, that’s intentional – it blocks your view!

8. The Double Tap:

So, this one might not work on all machines, but you won’t lose anything if you try. Get your claw lined up in the usual way, hit the button to make the crane drop, then just as it’s about to grab the toy you’re going for, hit the button again (only two presses, one to lower the claw, one when it’s just starting to grab). Now, some say this makes the claw grab properly every time, but results are mixed and it certainly doesn’t work on every type of machine. Try it out, you might find one where this exploit works!

You Too Can Win on Crane Machines!

Winning at crane games isn’t just about luck – it’s easy to dismiss crane games as pure chance, but a bit of patience, observation, and well-timed button pressing can go a surprisingly long way. Sure, you might still end up with nothing but a lighter wallet and a bruised ego, but there’s something oddly satisfying about finally cracking the code and hearing that sweet thud of a prize dropping.

So next time you’re surrounded by flashing lights, chippy fumes, and the sound of 2p coins clattering down a pusher, keep an eye on the grabbers. With a little luck and some sneaky know-how, you might just leave the arcade with something to cuddle on the way home – even if it’s a three-eyed teddy that looks like it’s seen things.

Who knows? You might just walk away with that cuddly tomato you never knew you wanted.

P.S. If you’re absolutely insane, you could also buy a crane machine in the UK and play it in your living room for practice!