Child 'cracks the code' for frustrating claw machines but some issue warning

Claw machines can be a lot of fun, but could also prove to be seriously frustrating. You've no doubt been there, desperately trying to win a toy, adding pound coinafter pound coin into the machine and wondering why on Earth the claw never actually seems to grab something enough to pick it up and drop it in the winner's box for you.

It seems like the claw never closes properly, but still, you can't help but be blindsided by the bright lights and the music, in a trance at the fact you could well win something... eventually. But it rarely happens.

However, one child may have cracked the code to potential success every single time - but you'll need some serious guts to give it a go.

• Burglary suspect does a poo in courtroom and lobs it at the judge before verdict
• People are only just learning why WW1 soldiers kept spoons in their boots

Plus, people have warned that if you do this, it may have consequences.

Taking to Instagram, @asianhappyhour joked he was "going to try this next time" over the top of a videoof a child trying a whole new hack to win a plushie from the machine.

Over the top of the video, it joked: "She cracked the code."

The young girl calmly dropped her money in the slot, and then proceeded to try to win the toy directly behind the drop box.

When the claw picked up the toy to the level of the drop box, the child then yanked the machine towards her, so when the claw machine inevitably dropped the toy (like it usually would), the item dropped straight into the box and became her possession.

In the comments, people were gobsmacked at the girl's technique, with many commenting on how "badly" she "wanted that plushie".

"When the machine cheats, so does the player," a man penned.

Another wrote: "Unfortunately, the arcade made us do this. Honest work won't reward you. That's how life treats us nowadays."

However, somebody pointed out they tried it once and "almost got arrested," as allegedly, when you move an arcade game in a certain way, alarms go off, alerting the people who work there that something untoward is going on.

But, one claw machine expert has shared that you don't even have to cheat to up your odds of winning.

In a recent TikTok, he explained: "This secret claw machine trick will have you winning almost every single time."

According to Erik, the trick is to "swing" the claw before it descends to pick up the plush toy. "Swinging the joystick can manoeuvre the claw into a more favourable grab position," he explained.

With this, you don't want to hit the head of the plushie when you lower it down; you want to hit the body. He explained: "This method is called the Diaper Grab, and by grabbing the prize by the body, it forces the claw to close and balance the prize better, which in turn gives you a lot more wins."

It's worth noting if you're at the arcade, it's best to play by the rules and not try anything untoward - just so you don't land yourself in hot water.