There are many things a person can spend their money on at the Easter Show. One year I had the bright idea to try and acquire a plush stuffed toy from one of the Arcade games located at the carnival, unfortunately due to my subpar coordination skills and complete lack of any athletic ability, I spent $45 relentlessly trying to secure a prize- only to come home empty handed anyways. To help avoid a similar fate occurring to me this year, I ventured to Australia Avenue and asked various arcade game prize winners what their strategy was.
I decided to start by asking why people are so determined to secure a plushie or prize in the first place. One arcade player described the wall of plushies as ‘staring at the face of God’ so I knew there had to be something to this. As I watched a young couple relentlessly try attempt after attempt at the axe throwing game, I realized that the prizes stood as not only a soft cuddly item to own and treasure, but also a physical symbol of achievement. To buy a plushie is one thing, but to earn it through determination and skill gives the item a deeper meaning and significance.
As the couple finally walked away victorious with a giant bunny, I interviewed the attendant of the axe throwing stand Ross Davaney to gain some further insight into how one can secure a prize and cuddly friend for yourself. “The biggest tip would be not to flick it, just hold it from the bottom and go nice and straight. Everyone tries to spin it or some fancy technique but the simplest way to do it is to let the axe do all the work. They are weighted- they will turn and throw straight ahead for you.”
I decided to put this theory to the test and set myself a 5 game only limit to attempt to secure a prize at axe throwing. I lack upper body strength to put it mildly but trusted in the weight of the axe and aimed slightly above the target, so gravity could do its work and give it a bullseye landing. Just as Ross had said, a firm simple throw worked best, and I emerged victorious with a small teddy bear- which has now found a loving home with my friend.
This experience enlightened me towards one of the big traps that Arcade participants fall into every year, by overthinking each game and trying to craft a winning strategy- you’re more likely to lose. Emotions such as frustration can also impact performance, thus my biggest advice is to set a limit for how many attempts you’re going to complete, then take the simplest route possible. If I can do it- so can you!
With the Easter Show wrapped up for another year- now is the time to begin training for Arcade Games to ensure you win big next year!
