Claw machine expert's 'tornado technique' can help you win every time

A claw machine is a staple at any arcade. Also known as crane games, they require players to insert money or tokens to use a claw-like device to grab a prize, lift it up, and then let it go over the chute.

It may sound easy, but they are notoriously hard to win at. Some machines let you have one go at winning, while others let you have unlimited attempts at winning. Either way, most people know how tricky it can be to grab that prize.

And once you have hold of it, it can feel inevitable that the grabber just lets go at the most inconvenient time. However, some claw machine experts claim there are ways to increase your chances of winning.

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TikTok content creator The Claw Ninja, who shares tips and hacks on how to win on the arcade games online, recently shared the 'tornado technique', and showed how it can be used to win. However, the claw machine expert also issued a warning: "Be extra careful when doing this technique. You don't want to end up breaking the glass."

They then shared the clip, where they move the grabber back and forth very quickly, causing the claw to spin in a 'tornado' motion. By doing this, they were able to knock over one of the cuddly toys from the back wall of the machine.

The tow landed half-way over the exit chute, meaning they could easily grab it with the next go. In the comment section, they added: "Please be extra careful when using this technique. You don't want to end up breaking the glass or the machine. Also, this technique doesn't apply to every claw machine, branch, or arcade. It's best to ask if it’s allowed, or you might get kicked out of the arcade."

While some were impressed by the technique, others weren't convinced it would work in the UK. One person wrote: "That was actually smart." Another added: "It's super effective!"

However, another said: "This is great, sadly none of the claw machines around me work like that, you can only move the claw once vertically and then once horizontally and that's it." Another person in the UK agreed, explaining: "I hate UK claw machines you can only go forward once and one side once."

And a third commented: "The claw machines here don't let you do that. You get to move vertical and horizontal ONE TIME EACH then it drops."

If you do intend to try out this technique, make sure to speak to staff at the arcade first to make sure it's allowed.