A few years ago he gave me a Poo bear for Christmas like the one at the bottom left side of the picture.I guess we know where he gets his Christmas gifts!!CHEAP!CHEAP!!If you think that strange Scott watch him clean a tiolet.It's scary!

Just wanted to let everyone know that it was because of me that the monster claw was created!! I apologize for releasing such a person on society! But he is under control know so venders please don't hurt him if you see him falling back into his old pattern and trying to get an animal for a family member or grandchild. I love my animals!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not cheap.......I bought that Pooh bear a couple years ago. I have only developed this "power" recently. nah-nah-nah

Are you sure that Phil isn't collecting these so you can have a second job of selling them at garage sales? OK - you can have a raise!!

I'm impressed, very impressed!!!! I have had close to no luck on those monsters!! My poor grandkids.... lol Phil, I've never met you, but your one-of-a-kind talent means you fit right in to a "multi-talented" family.... Ha!Ha!

I always knew my brother was unique, but Scott sure has him pegged! The kids in Illinois loved the loot he "clawed for all of them.

I just have to say, Phil is wonderful, for Easter I asked him to get me a dolphin animal out of those machines, at the time they didn't have any in there, and he did look. So he got me a seal and quoted, seals' live in the ocean too. Days past and I was surprised with a two colored dolphin, Phil finally found a machine that carried them, and bless his heart he got it on the first try. ;)

I was so happy. You go boy, you animal catcher you. Hahaha!

I guess you never really know a person till you learn of his hobbies //To think all we thought you did was watch movies//Boy did we learn something new,what I dont know yet..

I just wondered if you bought a claw machine because you can buy one for $2,395.00 at a website!

I am better than you at claw games!

Jessica-No, I haven't bought one. Just enjoy them once in a while, though I have cut way back on trying them.

James-That could very well be, I never claimed to be the best.......though I am good *L*. What you see in the pic is not all of the ones I got for my wife. Others were scattered about the house and some given to other people. I just had to cut back as it was getting too much. I did have a weak moment last week and went after some and now have some more....hidden away as of yet. If you ever get to Mesa, Arizona we could have a contest *S*. Take care.

I am 11, and I have a humungous collection of crane machine animals, about 40 or 50 i'm sure you have more than me, but you have to agree with me , it's a quick gift!!I've given about 4 or 5 to my great-grandma who's in the hospital right now, so my collection is running low. My favorite place to try the crane machine is Winn Dixie.It's extremely addictive, isn't it?!!

I am 11, and I have a humungous collection of crane machine animals, about 40 or 50 i'm sure you have more than me, but you have to agree with me , it's a quick gift!!I've given about 4 or 5 to my great-grandma who's in the hospital right now, so my collection is running low. My favorite place to try the crane machine is Winn Dixie.It's extremely addictive, isn't it?!!

sorry!! I posted 2!

Wow!! That is really good. That is really nice of you to give those to your great grandmother; I am sure she loved them. You will definitely beat me if you keep that up. Your right though, it does get addictive. I don't do it that much anymore, but did get one of the M&M guys the other day.....I couldn't resist. Take very good care and I hope your great grandmother is doing well. The Lord bless you Erin.

I am a 32 year old truck driver and I play the claw every chance I get !! I also have a very large collection that my 6 year old daughter has taken over. I have to give many away due to lack of space, cause my attic is full of them! I usually win about 5 to 10 animals a week, my best haul was in Seattle area when I got 5 animals in one try, I just kept raking them in the hole. I have won watches, other jewlery, animals, coffee mugs, hats, and one goofy halloween tie!! I also am cutting back but I still can't resist THE CLAW!!!!!

Brad; it sounds like you are as addicted as I was *LOL*. It is tempting once you start. I hit one this week to get something for a friend. I have gotten away from doing it much, but have to try every once in a while. My biggest day was seven at one time. That was rare though. Be safe on the road......and beware "the claw".

MATT AND PAT OWN THE PARMA TOWN MALL CLAW MACHINE (you all got nothing on us)

Where is the Parma Town Mall?

I win the claw machine sometimes. But last night at an arcademy brother and I won about eight animals each. Thev claw game was practicly empty when we go through with it.

John-it's great when you go on a roll like that isn't it?

hi u must have the same tallent i aqquired and im only 14 :) im from england today i went to my local supermarket and put £2 in the claw and i managed to get 4 toys out not bad because u get 5 goes for £1

lee-it sounds like you have the "gift". I'm sure you will best me as you are much younger. Enjoy, but don't waist too much money there..........save some for the good movies coming out ;-)

I would like to know how to win these things

James-While there is no sure way, you can increase your odds. Look for one that is open enough around it to get all three prongs of the claw around a solid enough part to hang on. In some cases you can catch on something of one that may not be in a position to get the claw around, but I have found that tough to do consistantly.

Do not go for the easy looking, open ones that are up high. The claw will go around them but will not click in place to hold tight. You must try to get one that is lower down. Then when the claw goes around it, if it is low enough, it will click in place and hold tight.

Sometimes you can knock a higher up one down to a lower spot, or knock it over to get it in a better position to grab by using the claw to hit it off center and move it down or over. This may take a couple of time before you actually go for it.

Avoid going for ones against the glass or too crammed in. Look to see if there is a path back to where the claw drops the stuffed toy that is clear enough that it will not be knocked out by a pile of high ones. Notice how they stack them up high especially near the glass, usually the path the claw takes.

Best of luck, have fun, and snag a couple.

i have noticed some machines put out better wins than others. Machines at friendly's give no prizes out while others like the machine called "toy box" puts an animal out 7 out of 10 times i play it

If your getting a toy 7 out of 10 times your doing better than I do and should be giving the instructions. :)

Hi! I just wanted to say i love crane machines! You rare definetly right , they are very addictive! Im actually pretty good at them winning alot of the time when i try, but you know what i hate...when they rig the machine so its a cheat! Well, anyway I always wanted a crane machine and I asked for one for my birthday that just passed, but sadly did not receive them.Oh and just fyi in case you might want to purchase a machine the sell them at ebay for around $200 at times.

Hi everyone! I stumbled upon your comments page about Phil the Claw Master. Well, that's pretty much what my husband and friends call me. Just last night, I pulled 4 large plush toys out of Dick's Wings in Orange Park, Florida, in minutes. The owner asked if I was going to leave any toys for the kids! ;-) The previous night, I pulled 20 smaller ones out of the local Dave & Busters. Recently, my husband bid unsuccessfully on eBay for one of these figuring it would save us money if we bought the machine! Say, I've tried the Winn-Dixie one, but wasn't good at that one.

20 at one time!!! WOW! I have never played the ones with smaller toys. I'll have to try them. I want to get a Taz out of one of the bigger ones, but the store I see him at has him buried good every time I look.

This is so not fair!I never got a reply! Im feel so left out!

WHOOPS!!! :(

Sorry Shannon, didn't mean to ignore you. My bad....

It is a bummer when they set them up so you don't stand a chance. I didn't know you could get one that cheap. I'll have to check into it. Not sure it would be as much fun to win if I had to stock the machine myself though *L*.

YOU ALL SUCK AT CRANE MACHINES NONE OF YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME

20 at the local Dave and Busters huh? we'll we matched that, We are better though wanna know why? BECASUE WE ALSO OWNED THE PARMA TOWN MALL MACHINE. How about them apples. huh huh. whats that I cant hear you. admit it we own you, end of story!

Bob honestly you think you have anything on any of us. You don't have anything on anyone man. Any time anywhere you wanna see how its really done you let us know so we can show you. You will be embarrassed. And why is it that you can't even say any of your big accomplishments. The reason is you don't have any. Your big feat is that you come in and claim to be the best but all you proved was you can type in caps lock. Bottom line any machine anywhere we got you end of story.
PS: Don't mess wit us man you wish you hadn't!

Bottom line
Matt and Pat > Bob and everyone else
( for you stupid people > means greater then)

Oh my dear lord, how immature can you people be?

You tell em Liz *S*

i am alot better than you at the claw machine i have 3 trash bag fulls of stuffed animals

do u no a website were u can buy claw machines for about 100 dollars to 200

I AM THE CLAW MACHINE MASTER OF ALL TIMES I RULE THE CLAW MACHINE NO ONE CAN STOP ME! GIVE ME 20 BUCKS ILL GIVE YOU HALF THE STUFFED ANIMALS IN ONE MACHINE.

Im 16 and I have about 4 garbage bags full of plush toys I have won from crane machines. This collection is nothing compared to what I have won. If you dont believe me, email me and Ill send you a picture.

Matt

Hey Matt, if you say you have 4 trash bags full, we will take your word for it. No need to send pics, not like we really care anyway. You have a talent as Phil does, go with it.

I am so happy to see someone else is as "addicted" to those machines as I am. I learned everything I know from my 82 year old father - he and I play them all the time and also have rooms full of toys - but the grandkinds sure love it!

Keep on clawing :-)

I love these crane machines so much, I am going to buy one for my house. Im getting one used off of ebay probably.

I love crane macchines but I dont know easy way please give me some advise would really appreciate it thanks:)

This is for Matt and Pat you say you your'e the best at crane machines and that you own one big woop I have you beat a hundred times over my uncle owns over 200 arcade games 58 crane machines 460 quarter machines like you would say how about them apples huh come speak up you said you were the best so dont call any one stupid ok and for any one who has any questions about crane machines I'll post advise later and once again Matt and Pat shut up!!!!!!!!!

dudes, i suck at claw machines ive never won anything. im goin to wal-mart today tho imma play til i win something :-D

the way i see it is im better than all of you i stuffed the machines for a long tim i know the tricks and how to do it better than most i dont always win but 99% of the time i do

ryan, is your uncle interested in selling one of his crane machines to me? Please let me know! Thanks!

matt

I dont Know Ill ask him A good chance he might thanks for asking and here is a trick for the crane machines at some places the machines are directed at a certain point that you can increase your chance at grabbing an item by pulling up on the joystick while moving it this means you got to act fast so as soon as you put your money in pull up and hold on and when you get to the prize you want keep pulling up but hit the button also hope this helps more tricks coming soon thanks

Ok thanks! PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. Would he take $300-$350 TOTAL INCLUDING SHIPPING FOR ONE???? I really hope so! Let me know. Thanks for your time! By the way, I live in Pittsburgh,PA. Thanks!

Matt

I WOULD LOVE TO ASK...IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE
WHO CAN GIVE SOME MORE TIPS??THAT CRANE MACHINE IS SO DARNED HARD..I HAVE WASTED SO MUCH MONEY..
BUT I HAVE WON A FEW..I WANT TO WIN A BIG BEAR WITH A LITTLE BOW UNDER HIS CHIN..HOW DO I GET HIM TO THE HOLE??HES UP HIGH..THEN THERES THIS STING RAY THAT IS FLAT WITH POKED UP EYES..
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY GOOD TIPS??ALSO IF ANYONE
HAS A GIRL BEAR IN A BIKINI WITH BOOBS..PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SELL HER..
YOU NEVER KNOW I MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD WANT..THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME,AND GOOD LUCK
GETTING THEM IN THE HOLE..

Leia,

Maybe the big bear you want is just not "getable". Either because the claw is too small for the item, or too weak, or because it is sitting in a bad position. Sometimes you cant always go for the things you want because they are sometimes the ones that are hardest to get. I have learned that lesson throughout my years of playing. Same goes with the stingray. What type of claw machine is it, brand wise and what is the claw size and machine size? Anyways...ryan...please let me know if your uncle will sell one of his machines to me for $300-$350 with shipping included. Thanks!

Matt

HI MATT THATS MY BRO'S NAME,WHEN WE WERE LITTLE
I CALLED HIM MATTOOOOOO INSTEAD OF SAYING MATTHEW.
ANYWAY..I GOT THE RAY!!!!IM TOTALLY ON CLOUD NINE..IN A GREAT POSITION YESTERDAY.THE CLAW MACHINE IS THE THROTTLE TYPE..I WOULD LOVE TO BUY ONE JUST TO PLAY ANYTIME..THE BEAR CAN BE LIFTED
BT NOT UP.I WAS THINKING OF LIFTING HIS LEG.AND MAYBE KEEP DOING THAT TIL HE CAN FALL IN THE HOLE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS TO GIVE.PLEASE MATT,LEIA

i have won alot more than you and i have 3 treasure chest's full of animals that i won. you think your the master?

im king claw!!!!

COME ON KING CLAW'S HELP OUT A GIRL IN DISTRESS..
PLEASE GIVE ME SOME TIP'S.PLEASE!!I REALLY
NEED SOME EXPERTISE..ITS THE THROTTLE JOYSTICK.LOL

Leia, you should buy a machine for yourself if you love them so much, plus you'll get good practice....im gettin one cause I cant live without one!!! i love em so much! just keep saving your money and check stores that close their business...maybe youll get one that way!

matt

My collection is 10 times as big i was payed before to win animals for people at a local bowling alley and never lost i also have a plaque with my name on it over many various cranes also my collection is 10 times as big

COME ON NOW DUDES!!PLEASE GIVE SOME TIPS ON THE THROTTLE CRANE MACHINE.I WOULD BUY ONE IN A SECOND
BUT MY HUSBAND WOULD GET REALLY MAD..THERES PINBALL MACHINES OUT THERE THAT HE WOULD SAY WOULD BE BETTER.IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN..PLEASE GIVE
ME SOME TIPS.YESTERDAY I GOT A BIG BEAR BY ITS TAG
AND I GOT THE BEAR IN THE BIKINI WITH BOOBS.BOY THAT ONE COST ME 20 BUCKS ALTOGETHER..PLEASE
GIVE OUT SOME TIPS..

Relax, this site wasn't to brag about how I am the best at the machine; it was put up by my son-in-law when he saw how many I had gotten in a short period of time. It was a good natured joke. I had gotten more than in the pic, some given away, some put in other places. Should we count and compare? I hope it's not that important to anyone. If you are better than me, more power to you. Besides, I'm an old fart compared to most of you ;).

A machine near me has recently featured quite a few Looney Tune characters. I have come out of semi-retirement to get some of these. Taz is my favorite. I wonder how much decorating with these characters my wife will put up with in our computer room?

HI PHIL!!PLEASE CANT YOU GIVE SOME TIPS?OR ANYONE OUT THERE CARE TO SHARE??WE ALL LOVE TO WIN AND
TELL OUR STORIES OF HOW WE DID IT..PLEASE...

LEIA-Every machine is different, but I have found a few things that are fairly consistant. See my post on April 26th above where I described some of these. I have found that if a machine is easy to get some for a while, I had a machine at a Walmart that was very generous day after day for a period of time, the person who owns it sees this and makes it harder by adjusting how they pack them. Enjoy and best of luck.

I went to the mall yesterday and won 3 items in about 3 minutes. The animals were very easy to get, and the machine was an "up and across" machine...no joystick which makes it even harder. I have a question: Does anyone know under what condition does the claw close on and grab the item before it returns to the top...for instance, the claw is dropped, and when it rests on the item, it squeezes shut, therefore getting a better grip on the item. Im just curious when it does it...Also if anyone knows how to adjust the claw strenght on a machine, please let me know because Im gonna be getting a Big Choice machine very soon and I would like to know how to adjust the strenght of the claw. Thanks!

Matt

HI PHIL..THERE IS THIS BEAR THAT IS SO CUT AND QUITE BIG AND FURRY..IT WAS ON TOP OF ALOT OF TOYS
FOR THE LONGEST TIME..THEN HE COMES AND PUTS HIM
UNDERNEATH..SO NOW THERE WOULD BE NOW WAY TO GET
HIM..DO YOU KNOW WHY HE WOULD ARRANGE HIM THAT WAY ALL OF A SUDDEN??IT WAS ON TOP IN BACK FOR AGES..THEN I LOOKED CLOSER TO THE BOTTOM AND ALOT OF THE SOFT ONES ARE DOWN THERE..HEY I GOT 2 STINGRAYS NOW..AND I SNAGGED A BIG BEAR BY ITS TAG
BUT HE WASNT FURRY.BUT CUTE..LET ME KNOW..

Hey Leia: If he was on top and by the back glass, he wasn't one that would be easy to get but would attract attention and get people to try, and thus, more money into the machine. Now he has him buried so that getting to him would take a lot, and that means more money also. Either way he is not making the good ones easy to get. The best ones are usually the toughest. The owners are in it for the profit.

One way to get some of the better ones (at times), is to not try right after the machine has been reloaded and rearranged and is packed tight and high, but after enough people have tried it and moved things around making it easier to get to the good ones, but before the machine is rearranged again. I hope you can get the one you want :).

HI PHIL..YOU ARE TO RIGHT.I FINALLY GOT BETTY BOOP
FOR 50 CENTS..FIRST TRY.I WONDER WHY THE HECK HE WOULD BURY THAT BEAR AFTER ALL THIS TIME..THANKS FORANY TIPS YOU CAN GIVE OUT.I REALLY LOVEPLAYING
THE MACHINE..ITS FUN TO SEE THEM LIFT UP AND COME TO LIFE.LOL..

This is LiL Romeo can't beat me because a'm a P.I.M.P

Let me tell you something. For the past two years, claw machines have become an obsession for my mother and I. We live in Northern Illinois and have often driven to Milwaukee, Beloit WI, Chicago, and even further just to play claw machines. Locations of SugarLoaf machines have been plotted on maps, and we have a system where one person goes in the store with a walkie-talkie and communicates with the other in the car. It's no longer a hobby. We just had a garage sale last week featuring 412 animals, all won out of claw machines. Last year, we sold about 100 and gave another 100 to Salvation Army. Not to mention the ones we've kept, totalling about 150. There's bags and bins in the basement. I shudder to think about how much money we've spent. It makes me sick to think about. But, we're still in the game. The SugarLoaf machines have featured 16" bears for each NFL team, and we've collected almost all of the 32 teams in various towns. The name "CM1" is the code I use on the walkie-talkie band, while the other talkie is designated "CM-2". C-M for Claw Master. It's almost time for the NFL bears again, so that means it will be off to the roads looking for the five teams we've never seen. The most productive method for these has been hooking in the facemask on the helmet, or under the arm carrying a football. The "snag 'n' drag" is also a good technique. You may call yourself the "Claw Master", but just remember, there are others!

I just read my message and thought I sounded a little rude at the end, so I apologize for that. And by the way, I have to disagree about the stock being sky-high being a bad thing. Because of a machine being completely stacked, that's how I was able to win 7 at once at the Cub Foods of Round Lake. The only bad thing about a sky-high machine is the ditch created in front so everything falls on the front glass. The "amazing drifting claw" is another one of my favorite scams. Sometimes I can't believe it when a machine is called "out of order". 9 times out of 10, just unplugging and replugging the machine fixes it! As for animals that don't drop out of the claw once over the chute, NEVER move the claw to the right. Always move back, then forward real quick on a SugarLoaf machine. I don't mean to intrude here, I'm just trying to give a few tips to readers. I hope to come back and post once I collect my remaining 5 teams. Take care and stay safe all.

Some of these comments are a good laugh! It's funny that people are trying to say they're better than everyone else. So what? Everyone thinks that they're the best, but we're all in on the hobby and are fellow claw machiners. Anyway, our local SugarLoaf associate informed me that football bears will likely be back in a few weeks. Ah, the memories of bears stuck horizontally over the chute, and "double tightens"! :-)

HI EVERYONE.I HAVE 2 CLAW MACHINES NEAR ME AND 2 45 MINUTES AWAY.THE 2 FAR AWAY HAVE THE VERY BEST
ANIMALS.THE 2 NEAREST ME LATELY HAVE BEEN A JOKE..
NOT AT ALL CUTE AND CREATIVE LIKE THE ONES IN A DISTANCE.DO THEY JUST GO THROUGH STAGES?OR IS THAT
HOW IT WILL ALWAYS BE?ALL 4 SAME MACHINES..SUGAR LOAF.ANY TIPS PLEASE HELP.ITS SO HARD.AND I AM
NOT LOSING MY RAINY DAY MONEY BUT NOT WINNING
MUCH WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT.I LOVE THIS CRAB BUT HES IN THE CORNER.THEN THE CLAW TIGHTENED UP AND
DIDNT BUDGE.ANY SUGGESTIONS,MASTERS OF THE CLAW?

P.S.HOW DOES ONE FIND OUT WHERE THE CLAW MACHINES
ARE LOCATED?THANKS SO MUCH.

Yeah, sometimes it seems the quality of animals is pretty bad. I like to call it "carnival quality" because it seems like stuff you'd win for popping a balloon with a dart. All the machines I've found around here are mostly just looking up all the Wal Marts, Dennys, KMarts, and AMF Bowling Alleys, but you can contact Sugar Loaf. I live in Illinois, so the number for Chicago SugarLoaf is 800-876-2416. I don't know what it is for your area. They used to have a website, but I think it's gone now. Which corner is he in, Leia?

Sorry. By "he", I meant the crab you're looking to get.

HI AND THANKS FOR WRITING BACK..ITS NICE TO HAVE A SITE TO WRITE ABOUT THIS PASSION.THE CRAB IS IN
THE LOWER FRONT RIGHT CORNER..HES SO CUTE..AND THE BEAR IS BURIED LIKE IN THE FLOOR..PLEASE GIVE
ME SOME TIPS.THANK YOU SO MUCH..

Hi, Leia. If this crab is in the front right, does the claw begin to drift to the left before you even go down? That happens a lot around here. Anyway, I just got a bear carrying a surfboard yesterday in the same spot. He was pretty much resting on a Bugs Bunny slightly behind it. When I moved the Bugs Bunny, the bear fell backward, and I was able to hook in its sunglasses. But if that's not the case, I can only recommend just trying to hook whatever's available, or trying to force the item backward with the claw. This crab doesn't have some sort of gold netting on it, does it? At the Vernon Hills Wal Mart a year ago, I won a crab by hooking into the netting, but then it got stuck in the claw, and I had to end up making the claw go down into the chute and ripping the crab off! Anyway, while searching the internet, I found a claw machine forum that I just joined. It looks pretty interesting: http://clawmachine.proboards13.com/index.cgi Take care and stay safe.

-Nick

SORRY MY UNCLE IS NOT SELIING ANY MACHINES RIGHT NOW BUT HE TOLD ME THAT IF HE DOES YOULL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW THANK YOU FOR ASKING

I have way more than U!!!

THANKS FOR YOUR TIP.THE CRAB HAS THAT GREAT SOFT MATERIAL..VERY HARD TO GET..I GOT THE LOBSTER
THOUGH.HOWEVER THE CRAB IS WAY OUT THERE PRETTY..
I HAVE TO PLAY EVERYDAY.DO YOU?I HAVE THAT BEAR WITH THE SURFBOARD.YOU HAVE TO MUST...GET THE OTHER GIRL BEAR IN THE BIKINI WITH BIG BOOBS..
I LOVE PLAYING THESE MACHINES.BUT I HATE GETTING
IT THEN LOSING IT THEN CANT GET IT BACK.LOL.
IF YOU ANYMORE TIPS PLEASE TELL ME..I HAVENT SEEN ANY DRIFTING.YOU TAKE CARE,I WILL TELL FUNNY STORY NEXT TIME.MY FIRST WIN.

Leia,
Just about the only days that I don't go "machining" are Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday, Thursday, and Friday are when the machines here in N Illinois are filled, so I do a little route every day, especially since I have more time during the summer. Weekends, during the time when superb animals (football bears) are in, is when I go many miles and plot all the machines in a town. I was just in Wisconsin tonight and saw that the surfboard and bikini bears come with both green and red outfits, so I hooked the surfboard bear, but had to move one of those pillow/jersey things off of it first. I hate it when the animals drop, too. It seems like once it drops out, a lot more work is required, especially if it becomes "front glassed". Speaking of soft material, I pumped $35 dollars over two days for a 22" Christmas bear wearing a silk suit and vest with a bowtie and chains, but I finally hooked into the gold chain and dragged it. More tips: I'm not sure how good this would work on other animals, but I tried for a football bear right next to the glass creating the hole and purposely made part of the claw go down the hole and only one prong go in the mask of the bear, for good positioning. Also, on "button" machines, or "over and up" machines, if you keep your finger on the button, it will just bounce back from wall to wall, so if you accidentally go too far on one of those machines, just keep your finger on, so the claw will hit the glass and alter its course backward to the desired spot. I hate those kind of machines though, because it's hard to topple back-glass items.

Take care and stay safe
-Nick

Did any of you just register at the claw machine forum (http://clawmachine.proboards13.com/index.cgi) as "Sugarbuzz"?, because there's a new member there. By the way, Leia, or Phil or anyone, have you seen the football bears I'm talking about?

HI NICK.I HAVENT SEEN THOSE BEARS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.BUT IF I DO.I WILL GET ONE.WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SNAG AND DRAG?HOW DO YOU GET A BIG BEAR THAT WOULD BE IN THE BACK??IN A SITTING POSITION?THE 1ST TIME I EVER PLAYED AND WON.I SNAGGED A HUGE BUNNY BY ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WASNT EVEN GOING FOR HIM.HE WAS SNAGGED ON THE SCREW OF THE CLAW..
I WAS SO SHOCKED AND HAPPY IT GETS TO THE HOLE AND DOESNT DROP BECAUSE OF THAT SCREW.SO I HAD MUCH HELP AND FINALLY THE BUNNY FELL SIDEWAYS IN
THE HOLE.HELP WAS NEEDED AGAIN..FINALLY HE WAS IN.

CM1-Hey there. No, I haven't seen the football bears around here. I live in the Phoenix metro area in Arizona, in the East valley, Mesa and Chandler being my stomping grounds. The machines I usually see are the Sugarloaf machines at Walmarts.

I really don't do the machines a lot any more. We had so many at our place that my wife requested I lay off *LOL*. They are mostly boxed up now. I do get some occasionally for someone else. I recently got some Blues Clues for a couple of the grandkids; yes I'm older, 51 to be exact. And I have gotten a few of the Looney Tunes characters for myself for the computer room, mostly because they are fairly large and good quality. Can't quite shake the habit completely.

Leia-Sometimes it is just the luck of the claw. I recently got a 20" Bugs Bunny on the first attempt. He was right next to the glass of the hole, but his hands are together holding a golf club. The way the claw turned as it dropped put it right between his arms and he was mine.

Phil- Your grandkids loves their Blue Clue's dogs, they take them everywhere we go, in the car, in the stores. *S* You are one amazing claw master........
By the way, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

HI EVERYONE.I HOPE YOU ALL ARE SNAGGING A FEW..
A FUNNY STORY TO TELL YOU PHIL..I SNAGGED A THE BIG BUGS AND GEUSS WHO CLUNG ON TO HIS FEET??SPONGE BOB WAS HOLDING ON TO TO BUGS WITH HIS FEET
WHAT A SCORE..I GEUSS THEY WERE PALS..REMINDED ME
OF TOY STORY AND THE CLAW MACHINE..THIS SPONGE BOB WAS COOL HE WAS HOPLDING A BIRTHDAY CAKE..
NOW THERES A PATRICK A BIG ONE IN THE CLAW MACHINE.I HAVE SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE GO AFTER HIM.
HES PROBABLY GOT 100 BUCKS INTO HIM AND I KNOW YOU CANT GET HIM NO WAY.TO BIG AND HEAVY.WELL
GOOD LUCK CLAW MASTER'S...

HI EVERYONE.I WAS WONDERING IF DIAMOND PLUSH TOYS
IS A GOOD QUALITY PLUSH.WHAT PLUSH IS THE BEST?DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA?THANK YOU.HOPE EVERYONE
IS A WINNER.

In my experience, the best kinds of animals in machines are the ones not made by the machine provider. Sugar Loaf and WinStuff/GoodStuff, for instance, often make animals where if you take a shirt or something off of it, there's no fur underneath. Really cheap. I think Sugar Loaf does have some nice stuff, but I've had good luck with Nanco and Fiesta, which are found IN sugar Loaf machines. I just made a killing at the RLB WalMart today, getting 5 race car bears and 1 Tweety Bird by mistake just with $1. Then found out that the Libertyville Taco Bell (A few Taco Bells around here have Sugar Loaf machines) that the claw just goes down and doesn't even close. I then ran into the filling man (around here, all drive Ford Escorts with back-up noises) and he basically told me he doesn't care if it closes or not. I'm anxiously awaiting the football bears, so I can run either the Milwaukee or Janesville/Beloit route. Milwaukee has 30 (probably more by now) different stores that have Sugar Loaf machines!

I just went to an amusement park today and spent over $20 just on the claw, and I had a wonderful time! They had novelty machines with things like laser pointers, and electronic games! I won a laser pointer, and a handheld poker game, along with about 5 other plush toys/jewlery...all from the claw machine! I also got to watch a guy fill several machines and fix them...it was soo neat!

Hey, i work at a Duchess and we have a machine...just started playing it today and won after a few dollars. Its fun! Just wanted to let you know there's a new addict out there

WHILE I WAS PLAYING THE CLAW THE OTHER DAY..THIS
VERY OLD MAN CAME UP AND SAID YOU LIKE TO PLAY EH?
I SAID I LIKE IT ALOT..HE SAID HE HAS BOXES OF THEM..SO I SAID.. I CANT SEEM TO GET THAT COOL BUG.CAN YOU HELP ME?I PUT MY MONEY IN HE DIRECTED ME THIS WAY AND THAT..AND GEUSS WHAT?SNAGGED HIM
PERFECTLY..I WAS SO EXCITED.YOU CAN TELL HE WAS A CLAW MASTER..THANK YOU..

Hi, Leia. I'm glad that you were able to get that bug. Sounds like you have some regular machiners near you, too. There's a few people around here who I often run into repeatedly while going from machine to machine. One of which is the "ham man". I call him that because I was behind this guy in line at the grocery store, and he was buying five canned hams for some reason. After checking out, I saw him again in the foyer of the store shaking the machine while playing it. It's a good thing he didn't use the hams to whack the glass! I've seen him about 10 times since. He must know the filling schedule (it varies depending on how long she takes at each machine). Your story just made me think -- one of the best things about claw machining is being able to win something for someone else. I love being able to see a little kid trying for something and then winning it for them when they couldn't. I was just in Big Lots the other day when it had just been filled, and I was toppling things in left and right. A young girl and her mother began watching me play, so when I was done I gave an animal to the little girl. That's the best part of all of this. Seeing a smile on someone's face. It's more satisfying than just snagging a bunch of toys and throwing them in garbage bags in the basement. Anyway, take care and stay safe!

-Nick

HI NICK THATS FUNNY YOU SAY THAT ABOUT HELPING OR GIVING BECAUSE I DO THAT TOO.MY LAST ONE WAS A LITTLE BOY WHO WAS PLAYING THE LITTLE CLAW MACHINE
AND HE COULDNT WIN..SO I DIRECTED HIM AND HE WON..
TE FATHER WAS CLOSE BY AND LOOKED REALLY HAPPY AS MUCH AS THE BOY..IT WAS GREAT..I LOVE THE CLAW.
ITS REALLY FUN...FOR US ALL..I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS AT THE CLAW AND OF COURSE MET PEOPLE
AND KIDS TOO..WE ALL LOVE IT..

I AM PRETTY BUMMED..SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO THE MACHINE WHERE I FREQUENT..THE CLAW CLICKS LIKE IT WILL TAKE HOLD THEN SLIPS OFF..A GUY I AM FRIENDS WITH WORKS THERE SAID SHE FIXED THE CLAW SO IT WOULD OPEN EVERY TIME BECAUSE IT HAD A PROBLEM..WHICH I KNEW BUT I WOULD JUST HIT THE CLAW AT THE WINDOW AND IT WOULD OPEN..BUT NOW THE CLAW DOESNT HOLD NOTHING..MY FRIEND SAID THE LADY WHO FILLS IT IS MEAN..SO HE PUT A OUT OF ORDER SIGN ON IT TILL SHE FIXES IT..DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE MIGHT HAVE DONE AND WHY??

Hi, Leia. I've had a few run-ins with our local filler/supplier. She told me that the claw IS adjustable, but she didn't tell me how. However, about a month ago, I saw her using what appeared to be a screwdriver on the upper part of the claw. Right after that, I found out that the claw no longer even closed. It just went down and came right back up. I put a sign on the machine (even though I didn't work there), but it never got fixed. I have previously put similar signs on the one at Wal-Mart, and that one DID get fixed. Speaking of out of order signs, I have found out that at a certain store around here (I won't name names), an employee has been putting an "out of order" sign on when it's not even broken just so she can have the first try at the machine. I even SAW the employee do this. I promptly went over and ignored the sign and won three items. This is a very odd business, and I can't believe that I've become as involved over the past few years as I have. If I hadn't had a garage sale and given some to Salvation Army, I would need to rent a storage shed! By the way, where is the CM Phil Breid at? It's been a while since he's posted at his own board.

Take care and stay safe,
Nick

Nick-Hi there. I'm still around *S*. I check this site and read, but only put something on it once in a while. I just let people talk and connect. My son-in-law put up this page in good natured fun. I am no more an expert than anyone else, just enjoy the machines. From what I have read there are quite a few who have won a barn full and have their techniques down. Sounds like you are one of them and have won more than I ever will :). I only hit a machine occassionally now. Enjoy.

Hi, Phil. Okay. I just wondered if something had happened and you weren't able to post. For the record, I'm not proud of winning all the animals I have. It sometimes sickens me to think about all the wasted money (50 cents alone for one try, and then somewhere around 800 animals, plus missed turns ... ouch!) But, hey, it's a hobby, and it's good entertainment, and as I said before the best thing about it all is to see the smile on a child's face when they are awarded with a prize. Well, I just called both the Wisconsin and Illinois SugarLoaf numbers on Friday and both informed me to start looking for football bears in September. That's when the real obsession starts, and it's a shame because I will only have the time on weekends, so I'll make those weekends count!

Take care and stay safe,
Nick

800? Nick, do we need to do an intervention here *LOL*. Just giving you a hard time. Your right though, it can become a bit obssesive and take a lot of money and time. Stay well.

Yes, unfortunately that's right. Add eight after today. This is getting a little overboard I think.

I KNOW THAT LADY DID SOMETHING TO THE CRAW.IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT..HAS NO STRENGTH
ANYMORE..BUT HER OTHER ONE DOES..SAD..

Hi, Leia. Well, if you see the woman, tell her about it and see what she says. Tell her the grip used to be better. Or if you're serious enough about the wanting it fixed immediately, call the SugarLoaf number (if there's one on the machine). The number is usually on a little white sticker in the bottom corner in front that says "do not shake". I did that once complaining about a machine, and the operator told me that he'd tell the filler woman. The next time she filled it, the claw was stronger. Maybe the person filling the machine will listen if their superiors tell them to fix their machine. By the way, one of my local machines now has a puzzle box covering the chute, so it is impossible to drop anything in. The box is too large to fit through the hole. That's quite a clever scam. Take care and stay safe.

OK GUY'S WHERE ARE YOU ALL??WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN YOUR CLAW WORLD?I WON A SUGARLOAF GORILLA WITH
A FOOTBALL..IS THAT THE NFL TYPE??I WON A BEAUTIFUL ELEPHANT YESTERDAY..MY SON SAID NO WAY MOM..AND THE LUCK OF THE CLAW GOT HIM BOY WAS THAT FUN....I THINK THAT WASONE OF MY FAVORITE WINS..HE'S REALLY REAL LOOKING.I TALKED TO THE SUGARLOAF GUY.REALLY NICE GUY..I AM BUMMED BECAUSE OUR STUFF FOR OUR MACHINES ISNT AS NICE AS THE HOUR AWAY MACHINES THAT I CANT GET TO BECAUSE OF THE TRAVEL TIME.I WONDER
WHY??HE DIDNT KNOW.BUT NICE GUY..I AM TRYING TO GET THIS FROG..THE CLAW GETS AROUND HIM BUT HE DOESNT BUDGE NOT ONE BIT..BUMMER ON THAT ONE..I HAVE PROBABY 20 BUCKS IN HIM AS IT IS AND HASNT MOVED AT ALL..ANY SUGGESTIONS?HE SITS UP AND HIS HAIR IS LONG..REALLY NEAT..OH WELL..

ok i have few tips dont put a lot of money in first put like 1 credit on to test the claw or even better stand back and watch some one because what they are doing now is making them computerised not just skill this means say u put a lot of money in and it just will not pick up then at certain points the machine is told when to win also dont go for the ones that u love lots and are near the front back or side glass thats what they do also look at they size of the object u want and the size of the claw look at the material is it a heavy beenie toy that will slip out of the claw or is a very soft toy that the claw will sink into also try and get 2 claws under each arm and 1 around its belly just make sure u get a firm grip i prefer the ones with buttons i cant stand the ones with joysticks unless its a play untill u win machine

hello

well i just happened to stumble onto this web page, and it really surprised me. my girlfriend told me i was crazy to waste all my money and that no one else is dumb enough to keep playing, But now that i know im not alone i guess i have a reason to keep playing. thanx for making me feel a little less dumb.

Hello everyone. I see there are a few new machiners that have posted. Not much machining for me in the past few weeks, except my fiasco last Tuesday. I went into the local K-Mart, which isn't a Sugar Loaf machine, and noticed that the chute was clogged with animals that couldn't fit through. They had been won, but got stuck in the hole on the way out. I used my old trick of banging the door of the chute, which sprung one down: a purple elephant. I had to stick my hand up there and around the guard board to push the other ones loose with a stick. Since I didn't technically win those, I didn't take them, and left all 5 on a shelf near the machine. I then dragged 7 sky-high ones into the hole and then actually grasped around 2 more. That was some of my most successful machining in some time! I took 14 animals out of the machine (kept 9), and only spent $5.00. I'm going to lay low now until the football bears show up! A local machine was just taken out a few days ago because the store is closing down. However, a Butane Foods will be going in the empty building, and they have been known to have machines! Any recent adventures, Leia? Phil (if you decided to come out of "claw retirement")?

Hey Nick and all. I was recently in Philadelphia on vacation and we stopped with my daughter and son-in-law at a place to eat. It was a bus station that had a KFC, SBarro pizza place, and an A&W (that was a whole other adventure).

They also had a claw machine. It was the most lame machine I have ever tried. It didn't have a joystick or button to push. It had two arrows, one pointing in each direction. You got to press each arrow once and let go. After the second arrow was pushed and let go of it automatically went down. It allowed for no maneuvering at all.

At first we didnt't know how it worked and didn't have it in position as we thought you could push the buttons as many times as we wanted. After two tries we figured it out. Then a couple of times it started when you pushed a button, stalled and just stayed there and went down where it wanted. Worst machine I have ever seen.

Wow, does that sound like a crummy machine! Were the animals even decent or was it "carnival quality"? I was just scammed this afternoon by a claw that would only move a few inches to the right. The reason? There was a t-shirt on a hanger plastered to the back glass, and the mechanism would get stuck on it every time. Hopefully, I'll see something better this weekend up in Wisconsin. Take care, Phil, et al.

HI EVERYONE.BUMMED OUT.PUT IN MONEY NOT MUCH WINS AT ALL.GOT SOME NFL BEARS.ONE CHEERLEADER,CUTE DALLAS COWBOYS..NOT IMPRESSED WITH THEM..THE WOOLEY TYPE CHEAP THE LITTLE ONE HALF FUR BUT THE TOTALLY FURRED UP NFL BEARS ARE CUTE GOT ONE MIAMI DOLPHINS.I HOPE THAT IS A GOOD ONE..ANY PARTICULAR NFL BEAR TO LOOK FOR??WHERES ALL THE FURRY ANIMALS??WHATS HAPPENING TO THE FURRY ANIMALS?SICK OF WASTING MONEY AND NOT WINNING MUCH
I THINK I NEED SOME TIPS..

Leia, is the Miami Dolphins bear 16" tall, have a white vinyl helmet on with a mask across his face and a football under his arm? If so, that's the kind that I'm waiting for. Here's a picture of an NFL bear without the football from eBay: http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_120115cf2edc5b0c60cfdaadb7aa7135/i-1.JPG Good luck everyone!

THE BEARS SEEM SO CHEAP..NO HELMETS AT ALL.HAVENT SEEN THEM LIKE THAT..I LIKE THE ALL FURRY BEARS.WITH THE FOOTBALL..WHAT KIND ARE YOU GETTING
MY MACHINE STUFF STINKS OVER HERE AND IM NOT GOING TO PLAY ANYMORE..

Nick-Yeah, the quality of the stuff was pretty poor. We were going to try for one of those poseable Marvel super hero figures. We just quit seeing how the machine was.

Phil- I think I know those Marvel figures you're talking about. I accidentally got a "Thor" when a bear's legs dragged it into the chute one time. Needless to say, it was an item at our garage sale this summer, and when it didn't sell, it went in the Salvation Army bag! Friday is a machine refill day around here, so I'm hoping the NFL bears show up tomorrow. Both SugarLoaf of IL and WI never returned my phone calls, when both have done it before. Strange.

WELL YOU GUY'S I GOT THE CUT TAMALE WITH THE HAT AND CONGA'S.GOT THE SET OF POPEYE.MY KIDS LOVE THE THOR GUY'S AND SUPER HEROES.HAD TO GO OUT OF TOWN TO GET ANYTHING DECENT.OUR FILLER HERE HAD 3 CHEAP CLOWNS ALL IN THE SAME MACHINE.HORRIBLE
STUFF..DIDNT PLAY..WHAT IS GOING ON.WHY ALL THE ROTTEN STUFF HERE AND MILES AWAY THE CUTE STUFF??

I LOVE CLAW MACHINES!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE WICKED ADDICTIVE! IVE BEEN TRYIN TO GET ONE OFF EBAY!! Wats your strategy?????

i have another question! can you tell me where to find claw machines cheap????

Russell-Your right, the claw machines can be addictive. I have no idea where you can get one cheap. I have looked a bit on the net and found them far more than I want to pay. Maybe someone else reading here can help you. Good luck.

Thanks Phil! good luck in finding one yourself!

Thanks Phil! good luck in finding one yourself!

Tip: At K mart if you pick up some animal the claw NORMALLY waits for a few seconds to move the animal into the chute! You should try goin for an animal close to the chute. I know because I won an oscar the grouch there.

Russell "The Claw Kid", do you mean that the claw waits once it's in the air with the animal or do you mean when it is down at the bottom picking the toy up? As for going for animals close to the chute, I've found that to obviously be successful, but a lot of times, the crummy merchandise is right at the hole, and the nicer animals are far to the right where the claw begins to drift back.

I mean the claw waits in the air, Nick

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE TURNING OF THE CLAW?ANY TIPS?SOMETIMES IT TURNS ALOT OR A LITTLE OR NOT AT ALL.DO THE FILLERS DO THAT ON PURPOSE?

Leia,

Please don't type in ALL CAPS. In the Internet world, that is considered yelling.

Scott

it doesnt matter

if anyone wants to buy a claw there on ebay! im trying to bid on one myself! good luck

DEAR SCOTT
TYPING IN CAPS MEANS YOUR YELLING.WHAT A LAME THING TO SAY.I DONT LIKE PUSHING CAPS UP AND DOWN TO CAPITALIZE.AND THE LETTERS ARE BIGGER WHEN THE
CAPS ARE ON SO,SCOTT GET A LIFE..

FIRST OF ALL IM NOT SCOTT SMART ONE!!!!!SECONDLY I DONT GIVE A DAMN! GO AWAY

SCOTT IS THE CLAW MASTER IM NOT SCOTT IT SAYZ IM RUSSELL!!!!!

Sorry Leia i thoughjt you were talkin to me! lol SoRRY

Actully Scott is not the claw master phil is

Leia,

Just some advice, this is Scott's webpage, he manages it. If you don't know how to be nice, then he can simply delete all your posts, and therefor you will not be able to exchange Claw suggestions or your findings in the Claw machines.

First of all, I agree with your statement, Liz. Scott Manning can do what he wants with his board, and insulting him is uncalled for. However, I do not think that Leia made the connection that the "Scott" posting was the same Scott that runs the board. I'm sure she thought it was just some first-time poster telling her what to do.

Anyway, I'm just typing in to say I'm questioning the "CM1" codename I use for the walkie-talkies during machine adventures. I've done enough in the past few weeks to take that code-name away. A combination of very poor grip on local claws mixed with just downright horrible play and technique by me has led to a sickening result. In the past two weeks, I have pumped $37 total and have won ONE item. Some silly looking license plate frame. And that was by accident! My beloved NFL bears aren't out this year and Sugar Loaf informed me I won't be seeing them at all. $37. That's 74 turns, with 1 win. 1.4% winning ratio! Sickening! What has happened where I win over 800 animals in a year and a half and then can't even win in 74 tries anymore? This isn't just from going for buried animals. Easily accessible toys are being dumped on the front glass because I screwed up. I've run out of time more than once. Every dumb mistake you can think of, I've made it over the last two weeks. Maybe I'm being punished for my 10-in-one-setting at K-Mart a few weeks ago. I don't know, but what I will do is swear off all machines for a while. Hopefully, I can regain my edge, as I'm seeing 5-year-olds and even people who appear to be totally sloshed winning animals now. Has anyone else here ever had a slump as bad as the one I am in?

YOU KNOW I DIDNT START ANYTHING.I TYPE THIS WAY BECAUSE ITS EASIER TO READ AND EASIER TO TYPE.
SCOTT SAID IT WAS LIKE YELLING,NOT TRUE IN WHAT
I HAVE SEEN..ITS NOT A BIG DEAL.IF ANYONE CAN SEE
I AM NOT YELLING.GIVE ME A BREAK LIZ..ALSO I HAVE
READ SOME PRETTY HARD COMMENTS ABOUT WHOS THE BEST
CLAW MASTERS..SO CAN PEOPLE LAY OFF OF ME PLEASE.

SORRY LIZ..MEANT FOR YOU OR SCOTT..BY ME..I AM A PRETTY COOL PERSON.AND I NEVER START ANYTHING UNTILL PROVOKED..SO LET BYGONES BE BYGONES.
IM JUST WRITING BECAUSE IM A WANNA BE CLAW MASTER,
AND NEED TIPS..AND HOPE OTHERS POST THE EXPERIENCES...

I JUST READ NICKS COMMENT AND TRUE I HAD NO IDEA
ABOUT WHO RAN THIS PAGE.BUT IM NOT YELLING JUST CANT TYPE WITH CAPS ON THEN CAPS OFF..GEEZ NO BIG
DEAL.ANYWAY I HAVE THOUGHT OF QUITING TO BECAUSE THE LACK OF QUALITY IN MY TOWN AND ITS GOTTEN HARDER.THE LADY WHO FILLS PACKS THEM IN TIGHT.
A TOWN FARTHER AWAY IS BETTER BUT WITH 2 BABIES I CANT DO THAT.THE HALLOWEEN THINGS ARE SO CUTE.
IM TIRED OF LOSING TO THE FRONT GLASS TOO.
THEN THERES THE TURNING OF THE CLAW WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THAT?THE SUGARLOAF IS RAKIN IN THE BUCKS

Nick-I think if we are honest we will all admit we have had slumps. And I do believe sometimes that is do to the adjustments that the people running the machines can do. If they are losing too many toys as compared to what they bring in they will adapt. I had one machine that I killed on. I know they had to be upset at not pulling in much money for the amount of toys lost. Then it changed, consistantly is harder to get them now.

ON THE TYPING IN CAPS BROOHAHA:
What Scott was passing on was what is called Internet Ettiquette. If you've been in chat rooms or talked on other bulleting boards you will find they will advice the same thing. Caps are used for emphasis, like talking louder, yelling, to stand out. It's a way of adding tone to the written words since we can't hear each other. If all is in caps. then there is no way to add emphasis. This is not just him being picky but informing of the meaning of this practice that has been around for years now on the net.

Leia: I am sure Scott wasn't trying to put you down as he is a very decent person, quite fun and kind actually (though his choice in late night DVD's can be questionable). He was just trying to guide in the interpretation and common practice of typing on the internet since he is responsible for this site. But, as you said.......lets move on now.

Leia: Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time on the machines. Since they have become so popular (you see them everywhere now), I think they are not as generous as they once were, the owners having found out that many figured out ways to beat the odds and so have made it tougher.

Liz: Hey lady...what's the haps? Your mom just threatened to slap me when I called her at work. I said something which I guess she interpreted as being a smart a__ or something of the sort *LOL*.

this is all getting confusing, lets just stop tlkin bout caps and talk about claw machines!!! THATS WHY WERE HERE GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have been playing skilltesters sice i was 4 years old .by the time i was six i had won over 50 toys.just last week i won 6 toys on the one day 2 of the 6 toys i won at the same time.so i had 5 turns and won 6 toys.my 3 year old brother has allready won 7 toys.p.s in AUS we call claw machines skilltesters

i now have 7oo toys. if you can beat that i wont to know about it.ALL THE SKILLTESTERS IN NOWRA ONLY HAVE 2FIGERS YOU DUDES HAVE BEEN USEING 3FIGERS

Hi Phil~
Not much over here, Yea I know how she can be, that's why I live over here, and you guys over there. LOL

Take Care Dude!

MAKE THAT 701 . I WON IT TODAY ITS A LITTIE TOY DOG

DO YOU DUDES WIN WATCHS IN SKILLTESTERS OVER THERE WERE EVER THAT IS . COULD SOMEONE TELL ME PLEASE

Jacob-there are machines over here with all kinds of odds and ends "stuff" in them such as watches, sunglasses, etc. I have never played them though, just not interested in what's in there.

Your machines have only two fingers? I have never seen one like that over here.

yea I have never heard of only 2 fingers

I actually have seen a few two-finger machines here in Illinois and up in Wisconsin. One had really poor quality animals in it and the others were candy cranes. I finally ended my ridiculous losing streak last night by winning two Halloween cats at a Wal-Mart. I know I said I would quit for a while, but I just couldn't resist. Hopefully the streak is over now because after going 1-for-74, it was relieving to go 2-for-2. I just wish the old NFL bears were out though! I'll be going on vacation for a week, and there are no machines where I'm traveling too. There are plenty along the freeway heading there, though.....

I have one thing to say to you Philip Breid

Tattle Tale!

sometimes i win money on skilltesters .but only in the big citys.

ARE THEY GOOD WATCHES OR CHEAP FAKES.COULD YOU TELL ME HOW YOU WIN SO MENY TOYS WHATS YOUR SECRET

Liz-oops *LOL*

Jacob-I have never played the machines with the watches and other such stuff in them; they look like cheap junk to me.

Jacob-It seems everyone has different methods that work, and each machine is a little different as they are different sizes and the claws are each adjusted by who runs the machines. But I wrote down a little of what I have learned in post #26 above. I still basically stick to what is written there but would modify it a bit to say if one is up high, which as I wrote above I don't find the best because of the way the claws work, under certain circumstances, if it is a stuffed toy that is shaped right and you can fit around well you have a chance.

Since your machines have only two fingers though, I couldn't tell you how to go about it at all. That seems very tough.

nowra now has a skilltester with 3 figers today i was playing it they are so much better . i won 9 toys from now on im playing that skilltester .DO you have eney tips phil or eneybody

CM1 DOES NOT WORK

JACOB, IT IS NOT FIGERS ITS FINGERS!

LAUGH IT UP FUZZ BALL...LOL*

lol

Mind clarifying your comment, Jacob?

write something you guys!!

write something you guys!!

You Sound Good At Claw Machines But compared To MeYour Just A Beginer.I Have Over 50 Garbage Bags Full Of Prizes Won From Claw Machines.One Time I Walked into Wal*Mart With 2.00 On A 50 Cent Claw Machine And Walked Out With 8 Prizes!

Just out of curiosity: why does this have to turn into some sort of competition all the time around here? Maybe I just need some sleep, but it really ticks me off when people post condescendingly toward others. We're all skilled at machines and there is no possible way anyone can say that they're better than everyone else, because every machine is different. Others may not just play as often, but their skills are sharpened as well. The same player can win "8 prizes on $2.00" if the machine is sky-high and recently filled, and then turn around and get only one animal for $2.00 on the next machine. Again, maybe I'm just a little tired and aggravated, but it seems like this has turned into some game of one-upping instead of a fun-natured board to share info and techniques.

Nick-Good thoughts. Your right; this is just supposed to be for fun and for those interested in the machines. It was never a brag site as it wasn't me who put it up in the first place, but my son-in-law who put it up as good natured fun when he and my daughter visited once and saw all of the stuffed animals I had won in just a short period of time. Your also right in that each machine is different and the claws adjusted differently.

We have all had out hot streaks. I won 14 once in two different turns over two days so I could take a bunch back to Illinois from Arizona for my nephews and nieces. Then there are those days when the machine looks good and just isn't very giving. Just enjoy, and try not to spend too much money on these things :).

A couple of years ago, I was in Blackpool (England UK)on a first date. We were walking through an amusement arcade when the girl I was with saw a Tweety Pie soft toy in a Claw machine. She was so excited that I decided to try and win it.

I grabbed it on the first go, and she was so happy. I still remember that look on her face!
It was at that moment that I knew inside that she was The One - We got married April this year!

p.s. I had never won on any claw machine before that one time nor ever since!

Ur gonna have to email me a reply cause i dont remember this site. lol I tried SO hard on this one Sugarloaf machine to get a pink penguin (in Oklahoma) and just when i grabbed it, the damned machine hit the wall and sent my toy flying!@ I want the penguin dangit! lol I wish i had your luck

Amber

Actually, I think Phil must be stretching the truth about his Claw Machine expertise. I'll bet his wife Lynda is the real pro....You all should
ask him about the old green and black, or his favorite baseball team, the Cubs. He can go on and on about those subjects.

Rick

Hey now, I just grabbed two more at the Harkins Movie Theatre this weekend when I went out to get drinks for Lynda and I. About a month ago they had two installed in the lobby.

As far as the Cubs go, being from Illinois I do have a soft spot in my heart for them; but I think someone else is stretching the truth now *LOL*. Possibly a true blue Cubs fan I went to school with a few (many) years ago; those green and black days.

Has anyone been finding the quality of the Sugar Loaf animals to be very poor lately? I haven't been playing much in the last month or so, because I haven't seen anything worth pumping out money for. I played a machine the other day just because I had the urge to, but there wasn't anything too spectacular in it. I ended up with some white mouse that looked like it had been through several rainstorms and then run over by a Mack truck. Hopefully, the quality will pick up with the new year. Good luck to all.

Take care and stay safe

Nick-I've noticed the poorer quality in some of their machines also. Bummer!

Finally some good conversations going, I thought all you just disappeared....
Phil you behaved now.... LOL

Don't worry, you know who keeps me pretty well in line...........or gives me a good smack on the chest *L*.

Oh believe me I know about that woman. Besides we need to keep someone in line, we get to bored with ourselves. LOL

Has anyone here ever played the claw machines that they have at Giant Eagle grocery stores? I do property maintanence at one, and have played countless times, only to grab 1 toy. I believe they rig these machines. If anyone else has any more info on these certain ones, let me know.

I love playing the stuffed animal machines. There so fun.. I had ove 100 stuffed animals that I have won out of those machines. I had to get rid over half of them because I moving soon and I just down have room for all of them.. On average it's 50/50 if I win something or not. In the pic above I have 2 mr potatoe heads w/glasses. I play either K-mart, Wal-mart or Denny's(not anymore since they closed down the one where I live)My fav. stuffed animals that I've won are just 2 name a few
Big blue belle by sugar loaf
My med. size talking franklin
small blue belle by sugar loaf
big road runner
med. size pink panther
a really big gumby(donated it to sacks)

The big blue belle(cow)I mention in the last post
My husband and I spent over 100 dollars trying to win it in the last 4yrs. A lot of cash went into the cow.

Hi,
I have a very dear friend who was trying to win a purple bear with an African American babys face when we were in Virgina. None of us were able to get it, three of us tried for a half hour and spent who knows how much trying to get that bear. It was for his son. Does anyone know or have one? My friend even called the resturant when we got back to California but the bear was gone. help......

I have seen that type of thing in machines around the Phoenix area quite a bit in the last six months. Various stuffed animal types with a baby's face. My wife loves them. I have gotten a couple of them. I have seen them at the machines in the Walmarts here. If you check around your area I'm sure some machine will have them. Good luck.

whats up everybody , me and my girl are relatively new at the crane machines , but we recently mastered them. weve been playing them " serious " for like 3 weeks now. And weve won 50! animals so far in 3 weeks , not too shabby. Our highest is 13 in one day. We usually play at Dennys , walmart , kmart ect. Weve had different people waitress ect give us money and win them stuff , just yesturday a little girl with her mom wanted to win something , so i used my own money , and won her 3 at once. Man was she happy , Feels good to help others out. ,Mary loves those Care Bears. theres 12 total. we have 9. were on the road to have the largest in the world. We will keep you all updated. And if you live in Greenboro ,NC look us up! youll see us in Dennys. Later

Can someone PLEASE give me some tips on how to win from the claw? There are a few items in paticular I have been trying to win. Out of the 50 cent sugar loaf claw, the Sugar Loaf Birthday Babies dolls(the big ones), if anyone is famillier with them? I need January-April and have apparently,(though I don't keep track), spent around $18 trying to win but failing on January, Febuary, and March. I am henceforth grounded from the claw until I can get some tips and tricks of the trade. I thought that the 'Claw Master' could help me with this. Please? I have selected internet access, because I have to go to the library to surf the net. Thank you,
Emily W.,age 11, NE.

Emily-I was the one, "The Claw Master", my son-in-law put up this site about. If you read some of the posts above though you will find there are a lot of claw masters. For some hints on how to do well at the machines see posts 26, 68, and 72 above. Every machine is different though and so you will just have to experiment and see what works for you. I hope you have fun, learn to beat the machines, and not spend too much money on them :). Take good care.

alright , since the last time ive posted , our collection has gone from 50 to 77 in 21 days , pretty damn good if you ask me. 27 wins in 21 days. Were going for the top.

ok Emily - no one has ever wrote on how to help anyone . So i will give you our trick and secret that works. OK Listen up. Remeber 90 percent of winning is depended on posistion. Angles. Go for easier ones , not buried , and that have like a thin neck . Not some huge fat animal. Now when you press the red button to lower the claw , rotate the joystick counter-clockwise. start slow and go faster as it lowers, dont dont push the red button at all after you first push it. Try it out and let me know how much you won.

Updated -

Collection now at 85 , 8 won in 2 days , not bad...

Hi Everyone just came across this site if was good i have recently been playing these claw machines at local shopping centers funny though after reading all your post i have the urge to go and win lol i find it funny in reguards to the veriations in the machines here in australia i have never seen a machine that u can rotate a claw around on so far in 5 days i have got these toys 2x NEMO 1x PEACHES out of nemo 1xloony tunes sylvester,tweety,taz and a frog that no one knows the naame of he has a black top hat on

dan down under--It sounds like you have been having a good run. Best of luck to you.

They have put them into our favorite movie theater lobby, a big 25 plex. The last time we went to a movie, I went out to get drinks and played one of the machines first and got a fish with really huge red lips. When you squeeze the bottom lip you hear a big kissing sound and then it says I love you. When I went back into the theater with the drinks and my wife saw the fish, she was like, there you go again. But she did think the fish was cute.

I just figured I'd drop back in and see how things were going at the board here. I don't know how it is elsewhere in the country, but the Illinois and Wisconsin Sugar Loaf machines have been featuring some shoddy merchandise lately, and it really seems that that company is going downhill. Supposedly, they were bought out by a New York company, but are still keeping a smaller headquarters out in Boulder. For me, the WinStuff machines have been the choice lately. They did have a website for a while where you could find out where every machine of theirs was at, but it's no longer a part of the site. A few of the locations ended up being incorrect, causing me to go to saloons, roller rinks, laundromats, truck stops, and liquor stores for no reason. Even though WinStuff machines generally have the larger, more flimsy claw, the merchandise has been quite above par as of late. Has anyone else noticed this?

Emily W.- Are you talking about the ones that look like bears with human faces? Or the light-colored bears that almost look like CareBears? I won one of those "human" ones a few weeks ago by knocking it face down and then getting a grip around its lower back and butt area, between its legs. I hope you read Phil's tips above in those posts and have a successful try at winning.

Take care all.

yes phil have been haveing a good time i did however lose 20 bucks after i posted and did not win a thing lol may even go back today. i am comming over to the usa for a holiday in augest so i will have fun playing the claws over there id imagine there would be a few in disney world .

dan down under-Hope you have a great time on your visit. Never been to Disney World, so I don't know about that, but you will find plenty of claw machines at Walmarts, many restaurants, grocery stores, and who knows where else. They seem to have sprung up all over.

CM1-I have noticed the quality going down a bit also. I will be in Illinois the second weekend in May and so will have to check out a couple of places.

Where about in Illinois, Phil? Anywhere near my neck of the claw-machining woods? I basically go everywhere between Chicago and Milwaukee, and then out west to Rockford. I live just south of the Wisconsin border. If you need to know of any local machines other than the usual (Wal-Mart, Denny's, K-Mart), just let me know.

Take care all.

CM1-I'll be going farther south; Galva, Illinois to be exact. It is about an hours drive from Peoria. I know the area you are talking about. I used to live about an hour SouthWest of Rockford in Rock Falls which is a twin city with Sterling.
I used to go to Chicago to museums, ballgames, and concerts as I was growing up and a young adult. It sounds like you live right around the area where one of my nieces and her family lives, in Trevor, Wisconsin.

121 Now , got 4 at one time last night , pretty funny

Great page about the claw. I bought one of the machines when the pizza place closed for $100 and sometimes I sit inside it and take a nap. Not naked though, but with my clothes on. Also, my neighbor has a glass eye, but when I ask him to take it out he says "no". I wish I could claw it out with my claw machine, but I can't get him to go inside.

LOL Oh how funny is that.. Spend that money to be able to climb inside the box.... Jack would love that. LOL

I was told once that there was a "secret" to winning at the claw machine.....can anyone tell me what that is...the woman that told me had SEVERAL stuffed animals in her hand, but she didnt want to tell us the secret...Thanks

Got a decent spiderman out of a claw machine at one of the Harkins Theatres in Mesa, Az. Scooby Doo has still eluded me.

Jenn, by "secret", I assume this woman meant the use of different techniques. Several techniques of machiners are described in above posts.

Phil, how did your Illinois trip go? Any interesting machining?

I've been starting on these baseball bears lately, and have had decent success. However, the local filler has developed a new trick. Not only is she putting large boxed items on top of everything in the machine, but she takes animals and wedges them by the chute so that feet and hands and other objects block the flow into the hole. The chicanery just keeps growing around here!

Jenn, by "secret", I assume this woman meant the use of different techniques. Several techniques of machiners are described in above posts.

Phil, how did your Illinois trip go? Any interesting machining?

I've been starting on these baseball bears lately, and have had decent success. However, the local filler has developed a new trick. Not only is she putting large boxed items on top of everything in the machine, but she takes animals and wedges them by the chute so that feet and hands and other objects block the flow into the hole. The chicanery just keeps growing around here!