Not sure how to title this properly, if someone has a better suggestion lets change it to that.....

anyways, at the movie theater and at places like Playdium (its a large arcade), they have these games where you insert $1 - $2 and play for a chance to win a big prize, ipod, Xbox 360, Wii, etc. One of the games is a game where you must stack these blocks by touching the screen, and if you miss, then the game is over. The blocks are moving side to side and you must time it so they land on the previous block that you set. (Sorry if my description sucks).

There are a number of other games like this, where you have a crane with an arm, or have to line up this arm that will push the prize out of it's box for you to collect.

I am wondering if it is possible to have a positive expected value in this games. Can a good player turn a profit? Is there any literature out there on mastering these games? It is more of a curiosity of mine, rather than actually thinking I can make a living at it.

Break a leg!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofEb9fM8m0Q

I actually know something about this!

Alright, so the machines with the big prize ( Game consoles, gift cards, iPods, ect. ) are on a Payout Rate

Which also means that the game isn't about skill. (stacker and most claw machines)

The machine is set to dispense one big prize (console, card, iPod) for every, say 1000 plays. In doing this the machine is always going to profit.

So to beat it you need to...

1. Figure out the payout rate

2. Wait until it's close to paying out

3. Win something nice for 10$

Happy to help,

Folded

/thread.

These machines (at least the ones where you have to get the key in the keyhole) have a complusory upper deviation which is set to a default of 1.6mm. This means the key can go 1.6mm higher or lower than where you actually release it at. The second factor is the payout rate, which is set at a default of 1 prize per 700 credits. Google Paul Hull Sega Key Master to read more.