Cash Grab

Introduction

Cash Grab, also known as Go Go Claw, resembles a traditional arcade claw machine but offers cash rewards. However, it's important to note that the result of each wager is determined the moment it is placed, and the claw's movement is merely a facade.

On July 11, 2021, I came across this game while visiting the second floor of the D casino in Las Vegas.

Rules

Here are the game rules I observed during my visit to the D casino.

1. The player may bet $5, $10, $20, $50, or $100.
2. Listed below are the potential prizes based on the amount wagered:
   • $5: $10, $25, $100, jackpot
   • $10: $20, $50, $250, jackpot
   • $20: $40, $100, $500, jackpot
   • $50: $100, $300, $1500, jackpot
   • $100: $300, $600, $3000, jackpot
3. Every betting amount correlates with its unique jackpot. Below, you will find a list detailing both the initial reset values and the maximum potential values across all five betting amounts:
   • $5: $500 to $1000
   • $10: $1500 to $3000
   • $20: $2000 to $4000
   • $50: $3000 to $6000
   • $100: $5000 to $10,000
4. Whenever a player wins any amount apart from the jackpot, the jackpot for that specific bet increases by 40% of the bet amount, with this process continuing until it reaches the set maximum limit.
5. The outcome of wins is determined at random by a computer system; the joystick and the buttons for grabbing are purely for visual effect. The claw will initially secure a ball, but if the player is programmed to lose—which is frequently the scenario—the claw will release the ball before it can reach the chute. Conversely, if the player is set to win, the claw will successfully drop the ball into the chute, with the win displayed digitally on the screen. Eventually, the unused ball gets returned to the collection of balls below.
6. According to the rules, if a winning situation is interrupted by the claw releasing the ball before it reaches the chute, the game will attempt up to three additional times to achieve the drop. Should the ball still fail to make it after three tries, the player's prize will be shown on the display regardless.

If any details are confusing, the images below showcase the help screens from the game. Click on any picture for a more detailed view.

Analysis

Regrettably, the game does not provide any statistics on the odds of winning. There’s no information regarding how often wins occur, average win sizes, or other relevant data. However, in Nevada, a new game must typically return an average of at least 75%. Additionally, this game is quite popular, albeit it has a slow rate of play, suggesting it likely operates just above that 75% mark to meet its revenue expectations per gaming space.

If you decide to play, I suggest keeping an eye on the jackpot amounts. Here’s a comparison of what they were on July 11, 2021.

• $5 — $1,000
• $10 — $1,972
• $20 — $2,256
• $50 — $3,050
• $100 — $5,020

The jackpots for bets of $20 and higher appear to be close to their reset values, indicating that large bets are infrequently placed. Notably, only the $5 bet had its jackpot reach the maximum value. Therefore, if I had to play, I would choose to wager $5 at a time.

External Links

• Discussion You can find discussions about Cash Grab in my forum on Wizard of Vegas, where I refer to it as Go Go Claw.
• YouTube video of the game being played at the D.

More Images

Written by: Michael Shackleford