the game where you swing the big hammer.

[Fisher]

Do you win at the game where you swing the big hammer and the light travels to the top. If so, what is the best way to do it. My best is 96. Somebody told me you have to hit it directly in the center. How can one be sure that it where it is going to land? Does "winding up" matter? That is, starting above the head, swinging past the target, building speed for a complete circle, then down again to the target.

[Guest dtk1376]

I've never been able to win it, and I've never seen anyone win it just walking past it. The only game I am able to win is the rubber duck claw game.

[PyroKinesis]

All these games are rigged in favor of the operator. The only way to win is not play.

[Guest dtk1376]

Unless you play the rubber duck claw game, it let's you keep playing until you win, it's the only way I can get my daughter to stop asking me to play games at the park. Other than that, every game is rigged, except for the age & weight challenge game, not much you can do to rig that.

[malem]

The game is High Striker, for what it's worth.

It was discounted last year during Dollar Days; next weekend could be a good chance to practice if a discount is offered again. $5/hit is steep if you plan to try multiple times.

Other than that, every game is rigged, except for the age & weight challenge game, not much you can do to rig that.

They're not rigged, but they are designed to be more challenging than they look.

[Guest dtk1376]

I'll say the game isn't rigged the day that I see someone hit the top of the High Striker, I've seen some pretty big guys get up there and get about the same scores as some little teenage girls I've seen try it.

[homestar92]

I'll say the game isn't rigged the day that I see someone hit the top of the High Striker, I've seen some pretty big guys get up there and get about the same scores as some little teenage girls I've seen try it.

The High Striker game actually has very little to do with strength. There is a technique to it, just like all of the games at an amusement park. Though I have never seen a winner at Kings Island on that game in particular, I have seen a winner on the version at Cedar Point (which as far as I can tell is the same as ours).

[JTW]

A personal friend used to work this particular game. He told me the secret once he moved on to another job, though I've never tried to prove what he said. For what it's worth I have seen multiple demonstrations by this person trying to coax people in for the chance to win a fabulous prize.

[jcgoble3]

I've seen a few winners on High Striker, but only a few. The number of scores in the 90s I've seen vastly outnumber the winners.

[malem]

^^^^ A high level of difficulty doesn't mean that a game is rigged.

Being rigged would mean that some factor other than the player's skill (eg. chance, action by the attendant, etc) determines the outcome. This would, of course, be illegal.

For example, a "rigged" High Striker might allow winners to be "chosen" in order to entice others to play.

[AZ Kinda Guy]

Just step on the cable coming out of the back of where the hammer is supposed to land.

[Ride On_17]

Last year at Cedar Point I saw a guy play it twice in a row...and win it both times.

[BavarianBeatle]

The "prize" costs the park less than what the "winner" pays to play the game. The park makes money either way.

[BoddaH1994]

Same's true for all games of chance: amusement park, carnival, etc. It's risk vs. return too. You'll get a prize that costs the park next to nothing for things such as age/weight or "winner every time" games. Clearly things such as Nike Jordans, Playstations, etc cost much more than the cost of the game, but your chances of winning are minimized.

[The Interpreter]

^^^^ A high level of difficulty doesn't mean that a game is rigged.

Being rigged would mean that some factor other than the player's skill (eg. chance, action by the attendant, etc) determines the outcome. This would, of course, be illegal.

For example, a "rigged" High Striker might allow winners to be "chosen" in order to entice others to play.

I'll trust your word on what's illegal.

Now. Please explain what's legal about the Plinko Wheel.

Terp, patiently waiting.....

[The Interpreter]

Must see:

[malem]

I'll trust your word on what's illegal.

"Illegal" was indeed too definite, as I'm certainly not qualified to determine which games may or may not be legal in any specific circumstance. Even lawyers have a hard time with that.

In Ohio, "rigging" a game of skill would seem to make it gambling according to ORC 2915.01(UU)(2):

(2) A device shall not be considered a skill-based amusement machine and shall be considered a slot machine if it pays cash or one or more of the following apply:

...

(b​) Any reward of redeemable vouchers is not based solely on the player achieving the object of the game or the player's score;

© The outcome of the game, or the value of the redeemable voucher or merchandise prize awarded for winning the game, can be controlled by a source other than any player playing the game.

(d) The success of any player is or may be determined by a chance event that cannot be altered by player actions.

(e) The ability of any player to succeed at the game is determined by game features not visible or known to the player.

...

Now. Please explain what's legal about the Plinko Wheel.

Terp, patiently waiting.....

Not that it really matters, but Plinko and spin-the-wheel are two separate games. Plinko involves dropping pucks through a peg board, and spin-the-wheel is exactly that. Both are certainly games of chance, not skill.

As for legality, I have no clue. Perhaps:

• None of the "prizes" are considered to have any value. (It's all enter-through-the-exit passes and X% off coupons.)
• They're operating in the open, presuming that it's legal until and unless someone makes a claim to the contrary. Amusement parks often have a pretty good relationship with local and state governments.

[The Interpreter]

Was there something or other about $10?

Terp, who likes to ask questions. (and valueless things can be had by anyone for free...)

[homestar92]

Was there something or other about $10?

Terp, who likes to ask questions. (and valueless things can be had by anyone for free...)

I may be wrong, but I believe that in both of those games, everyone wins a prize of some sort. Some are certainly more valuable than others, but perhaps this fact qualifies them as not being a gambling game .

[The Interpreter]

So if you pay to play but may win a dime gumball or a trip to Sandusky, that's okay in Ohio?

Terp, who likes to ask questions.

[malem]

^^^ The $10 maximum value for prizes on games of skill, among other restrictions on such games and on sweepstakes, was passed into law in response to casino look-a-like games at "Internet cafés" and other businesses.

I may be wrong, but I believe that in both of those games, everyone wins a prize of some sort. Some are certainly more valuable than others, but perhaps this fact qualifies them as not being a gambling game .

So if you pay to play but may win a dime gumball or a trip to Sandusky, that's okay in Ohio?

Create a game with those as prizes, and you might find out.

Law and politics are seldom clear. Sometimes, it comes down to the duck test.

Do any of the midway games look like illegal gambling? If so, to whom?

There are very few people on this forum qualified to answer whether some actual or hypothetical game is legal. Ohio's gambling laws make about as much sense as the FDA's current definition of ice cream.

[The Interpreter]

So, are you saying a statute says $10 is the maximum prize value for amusement park games of skill in Ohio?

Are there not X-Boxes and similar prizes for offer at the Ohio parks, obtainable by playing an amusement park game of skill?

Terp, who likes to ask questions (hey, I'm not the one who used the "illegal" word...I just like to ask questions and stuff...)

[malem]

So, are you saying a statute says $10 is the maximum prize value for amusement park games of skill in Ohio?

That is what the statute, upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court, says. Specifically, the limit is $10 per single play of a game.

And you brought that up, not me.

Are there not X-Boxes and similar prizes for offer at the Ohio parks, obtainable by playing an amusement park game of skill?

There are, and there have been since long before such regulations were passed.

Most prizes are well under $10 in value.

Terp, who likes to ask questions (hey, I'm not the one who used the "illegal" word...I just like to ask questions and stuff...)

As long as it's you, and not the state attorney general, asking questions.

I should have known better than to say "illegal" when discussing this subject, especially here.

[The Interpreter]

I have always said I do not understand why certain games at Kings Island (and Cedar Point) are not illegal, if they are not.

I thought perhaps today the reason would be revealed.

Day's not over yet....

[Pagoda Gift Shop]

When I read the title of this thread, I thought it was about the lily pad game with the frogs you launch.

I've never played a High Striker or seen anyone win, but the sounds of that game are etched into my brain.

[Guest dtk1376]

The sounds of the game ops heckling me to play these games are etched into my brain. Yeah, heckle me to win a prize for my daughter only for me to lose because you have to be "in the know" of where to hit the hammer on the platform and make my daughter feel disappointed. Doesn't seem like the best way to promote the #KIBestDay.

[The Interpreter]

I have never understood why Cedar Fair allows, nay seems to encourage, heckling to get guests to play games.

In 2009, when Diamondback opened, I had just had cataract surgery, with, unfortunately, complications. I went to opening day, even though I could only ride Train and Tower. On doctors orders, I was wearing the large, square blocky super-black cataract shades I was to wear for 12 weeks.

As I passed a game in Coney Mall, to my horror the young man, with a mike, blasted, "Old man, lose the stupid shades and win a Teddy Bear!"

Livid, I went to guest relations. The games supervisor was called. "Sir, I'm sorry. It will never happen again."

Four weeks later...

In 2009.

Making fun of a disability.

Really?

[IBEW_Sparky]

I just read that Mr Drakos passed away in early August.. Thats a shame ... R.I.P. Mr. Magic.

[The Interpreter]

Indeed. I had not heard that.

He was a very nice man.

[OleShawn]

I won a kindle fire playing stacker, but can't seem to win again to save me. Needless to say they got their money back. lol