Couldn't you get Happ Tokens, and use them at places like Chuck E.'s to ripoff

[paulkortne]

To rip 'em off?  100 happ tokens is $16.  100 quarters is $25 (duh).  I haven't been to Chuck E.'s in a while, so I don't remember how many tokens they give you per quarters (but I know it's more than the quarters).  But I'm pretty sure you could use this method to save some MOOLAH if you go to these kinds of places a lot.  

...but then again, maybe shipping costs for the tokens would even out the 16 to 25 gap?

[paigeoliver]

Probably not the best idea. Easier to make friends with the employees and get free plays that way. At least that isn't stealing.

If I happen to come up to Dave & Busters while one of the employees is playing "Pump it Up", then I can usually get to play free while they are playing, as they use their free cards to load the machine.

[aj6500]

hmmm. obtaining goods or services through false pretenses or methods...  I'm sure the fines will make up for the $9 you saved in fairly short order.  probably a bad idea.

[Frostillicus]

To rip 'em off?  100 happ tokens is $16.  100 quarters is $25 (duh).  I haven't been to Chuck E.'s in a while, so I don't remember how many tokens they give you per quarters (but I know it's more than the quarters).  But I'm pretty sure you could use this method to save some MOOLAH if you go to these kinds of places a lot.  

...but then again, maybe shipping costs for the tokens would even out the 16 to 25 gap?

Yeah that sounds like a good idea - NOT!  Hmm...i'm trying to think of a better way to drive yet another arcade further into the hole...and I'm coming up empty  

[Brax]

Well, you could always pry coin doors open, peel off side art, put cigarette burns all over the control panels, carve your initials in the side of the cabinet, try the quarter on the string trick, use the electronic lighter trick......

Oh wait, that was the 80's. Putting arcades out of business has been around as long as arcades themselves.

[AX]

or the tape on the dollar trick form more recent years.  

WTF is the electronic lighter trick?

[shmokes]

Heh....I used to use the tape on the dollar trick at my Junior High on a coke machine every day.  Dollar goes in, dollar comes back out, two quarters and a coke....dollar goes in, dollar comes back out, two quarters and a coke.

Good days....

[paigeoliver]

WTF is the electronic lighter trick?

Something that worked in Missile Command. Something about sparking a lighter at the coin slot and getting 99 credits. I don't really remember how it worked.

[aj6500]

I believe they used a piezo electric lighter to spark against a metal part on the cab.  The surge messed with the board on some games.

[Frostillicus]

Sounds like some of you are speaking from experience. In case you didn't catch it, I was being sarcastic when I said  

Hmm...i'm trying to think of a better way to drive yet another arcade further into the hole...and I'm coming up empty

I'll spell it out more clearly:
I personally think vandalism and cheating of arcade machines is wrong, and I would think that others who enjoy building their own would hold the the same or a similar view.

I just don't think it's appropriate to discuss this, but that's just my opinion - obviously it's up to the moderators.  Sorry for the preach, I don't want to come off as preachy but some kids on these boards might get the wrong impression....

[shmokes]

These tricks are ancient history.  They haven't worked in years (I don't think we need to worry too much about anyone finding a Missile Command anywhere to get free credits on).  You can't put a quarter-on-a-string in a mech and pull it out anymore.  You couldn't even do that anymore by the time Super Mario Bros. hit the arcades.  Taped Dollars won't work either.  If kids get the idea from us that they'd like to rip off some vending or arcade machines they're going to have to get pretty creative.  We've already ruined it for them.  Just a little harmless reminiscing.  I certainly don't feel guilty for getting into a bit of petty mischief as a kid.

I think we all have a bit of a fascination with going to great lengths to play arcade games for free  

[aj6500]

I always just bummed tokens from people.  In college however it was always a quest to get your laundry done for free.  a pair of $0.50 pantyhose would get you free laundry for months on some pay washing machines.  

[anthony691]

Well, I somehow feel it is wrong to steal from arcade machines, but okay to steal from vending machines???

I'm just wierd, funny, my Dad has a friend (who is an operator) but makes most of his coin on vending machines.

Could you do the dollar on the string in todays pop machines? I have one down in my basement, I would be DEAD if I broke it... I could try it out; I sense a Feris Buellers day off  coming on...

[SirPeale]

I always just bummed tokens from people.  In college however it was always a quest to get your laundry done for free.  a pair of $0.50 pantyhose would get you free laundry for months on some pay washing machines.  

How'd that work?

[paigeoliver]

THat works with the ones that you put the coins in a tray and push the tray in.

Put the coins inside the pantyhose, and then in the tray. Push it in. THen pull it back out.

[BillyJack]

Wouldn't that work with pool tables too (same coin op procedure)?  do the coins go in horizontally or vertically on those washing machines?  <shifty eyes go here...>

[aj6500]

Could work, used it w/the vertical loads.  The odds of having a bouncer toss  you against a wall is a little higher in a bar compared to the dorm laundrymatt.

[eightbit]

Back to the origanel post, it seems like you get a bunch of tokens for a dollar at chuckys. Then there isn't a game in the place that works for less than 4 tokens. Probably cost you more to order your own tokens.

There are also different size tokens and a place like chuckys probably uses their own custom ones.