I am a LOSER

Somebody knows... Maybe you?
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roger
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I am a LOSER

Post by roger »

That's right....an addicted big-time LOSER. !OMFG! I have played "DIGGERS" for over sixty years and I have never won a significant prize...and now I am looking for answers.

I suspect that operators can stay solvent by choosing elusive prizes with certain sizes, shapes, and weights. Also, placement within the digging area could influence the results.
I would appreciate any advice from members as to how I can increase my chances of winning a gold watch. !!IDEA!!

ROGER (the loser)
walternewton
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by walternewton »

Most digger claws can be adjusted for a soft or hard "clamp down." If set for soft, heavier articles will slip off the claw.

Items are generally placed around the play bed with the lighter/cheaper items within easy access. Other more expensive items are placed right at the maximum coverage of the claw.

Sometimes more expensive items are actually placed where the claw cannot even reach.

Some diggers have a mirrored backboard, which causes a parallax to the player's vision. The mirror may look like it can help you place the claw where you want it, but it does just the opposite.

I've also seen more expensive items having weights attacked to the bottom of the item, making them heavier than you would expect.

That's just a few of the tricks I have knowledge of. I can bet there are even more things about diggers I don't know.

I do know this, the digger doesn't exist to lose money, no more than any casino game always has an advantage for the house.

Walter in Conifer, Colorado USA
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moonriver
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by moonriver »

Fear not! Because here over the pond some of us have a more novel and advanced way of thinking when operating vintage cranes.
In our arcade we actually make it as easy as possible for you to win. Operating Merchantman sweet cranes with Blu Tack enhanced tips to the claws will pick up AND hold just about anything, and that makes for a happy operation that spreads the good word.
As long as the old pennies are priced right and the win % is good we are in effect selling sweets, but the overall perception is "Look! I've won again!". It's a refreshing sort of 'lost leader' effect that lends itself to all the other machines getting played too, and a bundle of fun with repeat and regular customers. I fill up our cranes with sweets every day.
After all, once they've bought the pennies it's entertainment TIME that is the most important, and leaving happy carrying out their prizes after thoroughly enjoying themselves is key.
There are so many Scrooge McDuck operators that can't grasp the concept, but hey, their loss........
I overhear many Rogers and Walters warning their grandchildren not to bother playing our cranes with a "you won't win on those", and then they do. "Well, you won't win again", and they do.
A refreshing change of thought and re-education
Last edited by moonriver on Tue Aug 17, 2021 1:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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coppinpr
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by coppinpr »

Moonriver is so right, give wins and price the prizes skillfully and the machine will earn well, and right when he says most operators can't grasp the concept.

As to winning on cranes, as a kid, I could never win, as an adult I've had much greater success, and I put it down to larger prizes. Ever since my daughter was big enough to see over the coin slot she wanted to play the cranes (or rather get me to do it for her :lol: ) That point in time coincided with the introduction of quite large fluffy toy, (bears, dogs... dinosaurs) as crane prizes, and we found that heavy drops onto large prizes COULD trap the jaws open but tight on something worth winning. She is over 40 now.... we still go to fairs together... she still wants the fluffy toys (??) and has developed the skill herself. We ALWAYS come away with at least one totally useless (but large) fluffy toy, once or twice very large, and that's the honest truth. :cool:
roger
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I am a BIG WINNER

Post by roger »

Thanks to "walternewton", "moonriver", and "coppinpr", I learned how to beat the DIGGERS... !!YIPPEE!! !!YIPPEE!!

Armed with $25.00 in quarters, and with wild expectations, I ran down to my favorite arcade.

AND GUESS WHAT ?????????????????????????????

$25.00 later.....I'M A WINNER.... @&@ ROGER (winner)
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coppinpr
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by coppinpr »

it's not the cost... it's the pride, the satisfaction, the knowledge that you are better than others, never mind that someone would gladly sell you 10 of those for $25 and still think you were crazy, and that prize!! that's staying with you for life, pride of place on your desk,a permanent reminder that perseverance pays off in the end, well done that man !!THUMBSX2!! ....you wouldn't be interested in 6 plastic rings for $25 would you :!?!:
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john t peterson
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by john t peterson »

The best games are the ones that look soooo easy to win. Crane games are like the carnival barker, shaking your hand with his right while his left is lifting your wallet.

J Peterson
Barking at the moon, USA
walternewton
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by walternewton »

coppinpr wrote: Fri Aug 20, 2021 8:25 am it's not the cost... it's the pride, the satisfaction, the knowledge that you are better than others, never mind that someone would gladly sell you 10 of those for $25 and still think you were crazy, and that prize!! that's staying with you for life, pride of place on your desk,a permanent reminder that perseverance pays off in the end, well done that man !!THUMBSX2!! ....you wouldn't be interested in 6 plastic rings for $25 would you :!?!:
Heck, you could get a gross of them for .50c.

https://books.google.com/books?id=QAwEA ... in&f=false
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coppinpr
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by coppinpr »

Heck, you could get a gross of them for .50c.
dont tell him that!!! dirtdog
roger
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by roger »

coppinpr wrote not to tell roger...........
apparently, he knows. :'(
roger
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Post by roger »

DIGGER
Last edited by roger on Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
roger
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Re: I am a LOSER

Post by roger »

A friend of mine recently acquired a "Digger" for his play room and wants to include valuable prizes with the candy but does not want to risk losing his items.
I vaguely remember a strength setting on the CLAW but my friend has indicated that his machine does not have any setting for the weight of the prize. ......Any explanation ??? Are replacement claws available with settings? ROGER
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