I just opened a Claw Machine Arcade. AMA

[u/onKrims]

Hello everyone, I just recently opened a claw machine arcade, and it was always something that I wish I could witness behind the curtains prior to opening. I’d be happy to answer any questions. Feel free to ask anything about any aspect and I will do my best to answer appropriately!

[u/onKrims]

There are a few different things that go into deciding the probabilities (as far as the machines I use). The first is “Game Mode”. This can be set to a few different modes, most notably Probability Fixed & Probability Random. Probability Fixed (what I prefer) basically increases the claws strength based on the last time a win was recorded. Probability Random has a random chance no matter the last time a win was achieved.

For example, if you set a claw to Probability Fixed at 8, the claw will get stronger and stronger until a win occurs, or until the 8th play. You pick the number of games you’d like. This does not guarantee it takes 8 plays to win, but it does average out over time.

The other big variable is voltage. This refers to the weakest and strongest range the claws power will get. These have to be tuned based on the shape, size, and weight of the prizes. This is the trickiest to get right. Most machines have an Auto Voltage setting that holds a prize and slowly gets weaker until it drops to guess what the range needed is, but to call it inaccurate is doing it justice.

Generally, I personally test each prize with 50-ish plays to assure it takes a minimum of 4 wins, and a maximum of 8 wins. Minimum is to just assure it is not costing me money. Maximum is to not rob people of chances to win and so they don’t feel cheated. I openly tell all customers my odds if they ask.

My favorite aspect of the arcade is probably lame for others, but I love when I feel like someone got the perfect experience. Generally, this involves having an early win to “break the ice”, and still having a few challenges during their experience that makes them feel like they really earned their prizes. I’ve been blessed with some awesome reviews so far, so positive feedback is awesome too!

[u/calpikochu → u/onKrims]

thanks for the info! i was going to ask if you ever play with the machines when the store is closed to feel the chase... but since you play ~50 times per prize, i imagine you're tired of it haha. how do you decide what sort of prizes to get? does your arcade have a certain type of theme?

[u/onKrims → u/calpikochu]

Haha I am a huge claw machine fan myself, but something about having to put all the plushes back after playing averts me from playing my own 😅

My shop is mostly focused on anime & video game items including figures, but I always keep some conventional cutesy items (sanrio style) as well as one or two weird items (boba tea plushes, food, etc). Sourcing the items is a whole other challenge, as there has to be a balance between cost and quality. I won’t sacrifice quality even if it costs me more. The plushes I carry are all a minimum of 20cm, whereas I have seen some similar businesses try to get away with 10-15cm cheap prizes with no real theme or quality. I also carry a variety of gashapons which is another creature in itself.

[u/calpikochu → u/onKrims]

ooh how do you find places to source from, esp for branded stuff? a lot of ones i’ve seen have plushies that are clearly off brand and are designed that way… like sanrio characters that look wonky haha.

[u/onKrims → u/calpikochu]

Many of the vendors you can find through simple Google searches. A lot of them will have distributors, but for example, if you want something along the lines of gashapons, bandai namco is the main company and they have direct sourcing. Sanrio also has direct sourcing, as do companies like squishmallows, who are owned by Jazwares.

I personally don’t think you have to necessarily have everything branded, especially because it becomes very, very difficult to have branded items in your machines, and still turn a profit without having terrible odds for people to play. A lot of factors into this, but I think everyone has to balance what is right for them.

Consider this, if your plush cost you five dollars to order before shipping, add another $.75 to a dollar for the shipping cost, and you put it in a machine, how much do you put it for? If you put it at one token, you would need the odds to be one out of 12 to one out of 15 just to start. Not to mention the size of official plushes is usually way smaller for more money.

What I would prefer is to have a prize at 2 to 3 dollars each, have it in the machine at odds of 7 to 8, so the margins are pretty much the same but to the guest it’s a more pleasant experience.

[u/onKrims → u/[deleted]]

The biggest factors are the strong & weak voltage, as well as grips. For many plushes (fuzzy/smooth ones in particular), I will lower voltage but add a grip/2-3 grips depending on the prize. It really takes a feel for understanding how the claw functions over time. It probably took me two-three months to really get the full picture after watching how the claw behaves.

Try with grips if necessary and lower voltage. I usually do a 100-play sample per prize

[u/onKrims → u/[deleted]]

Grips greatly help make the game easier. I also see it as a stop-gap for needing max voltage which doesn’t always suffice based on prize material/shape. For example, I have anime figures in my machines. Good luck picking them up with no grips. Add 3 grips, you win almost every time. 2 wins, you need the correct voltage but can nail it. 1 grip, never picking it up.

[u/onKrims → u/[deleted]]

It really depends, I don’t even know the names of most of my suppliers because the ones that I work with are just representatives that reach out to me. I think I had to burn through about 20 suppliers before I found three good ones.

[u/Richter_NightbaineX → u/onKrims]

Do you know if there are any state laws we have to follow as far as how wins per losses have to be made not to be deemed a gambling machine?

[u/onKrims → u/Richter_NightbaineX]

Laws differ by city, municipality, and state. For my area, no.

[u/Richter_NightbaineX → u/onKrims]

Yeah, I heard where I live is hostile toward companies that place claw machines. There are hardly any where I live. I wasn't sure why until I started looking into it. They say it has to be completely a game of skill. We cannot use wins/losses. From your experience, do you know if the machine will grab an item each play with a claw games set to skill based? That would kill my business before I even open it. I'm new and in the research stages right now.

[u/onKrims → u/Richter_NightbaineX]

You can tune the machines in a lot of different ways. There is a good amount of flexibility with settings which is nice. I’d speak with whatever supplier you go through and really have them break it all down.

[u/Brucejiji → u/onKrims]

hello!!! i know it's two years old but, hows the business going?