Today I learned:
Counted among the fans of Dave & Buster’s, arguably the best chain restaurant and video game arcade in the world, are a hardcore group of gamers known as “Advantage Players.” These players aim to amass the largest amount of prize tickets in the shortest possible time, with the goal of cashing them in for high-value prizes in the Winner’s Circle. Items like electric scooters, video game consoles or electronics can then be resold for a healthy profit on sites like Craigslist or Ebay. In fact, some skilled gamers have estimated that they normally average around $50 per hour for their “work”.
Even though the “Advantage Play” scheme might sound too good to be true, it’s actually just a simple strategy for maximizing your redemption tickets. Advantage Players put a surprising amount of research into their work, and are continually seeking new ways to increase the odds in their favor. Tactics like how to recognize the signs of an impending jackpot, as well as sticking to only playing a select few games, are central to their work.
Interested in learning more? One of the best resources I’ve found so far is the Dave & Buster’s forum on Reddit, where Advantage Players get together and share their best tips. But just in case you’re too short on time to dig through the wealth of knowledge in these posts (or as the Redditors say, tl; dr— “too long; didn’t read”), here are some of the top tips that I took away from veteran Advantage Players:
-Start by visiting on Wednesdays, when most locations feature half-price games. You’ll be automatically doubling your ticket count from the start.
-Forget about collecting physical tickets, and pick up one of the chain’s Power Cards instead. It’s much easier to accumulate tickets between visits, and you’ll also receive regular discounts on games.
-There’s no need to be an all-around video game warrior if you’re able to master a single game. Stick to the tactics that work no matter how silly they might look, like tossing footballs toward a target using underhand throws.
-Focus on games which have the highest average ticket return-per-play. That means avoiding some of the most popular attractions like Skee Ball, and leaning towards Advantage Play favorites like Crossy Road or Kung Fu Panda.
It’s probably a little unlikely to dream of making a full-time living through Advantage Play, but I think it’d be entirely possible to use strategic arcade visits to bring in a decent second income. And even though I’m not currently thinking of a career change, it’s good to know that at least a few people out there have figured out a gaming strategy that works. That’s a far cry from my own arcade days, dumping quarter after quarter into those crooked coin pushers, always thinking I was only twenty-five more cents away from a jackpot…