or any other entertainment center with an arcade awarding tickets that can be exchanged for prizes), hit their handful of preferred games, and quietly rack up thousands and thousands of tickets. Doing this just a few days a week can quickly amass enough of a ticket balance to trade for the top shelf prizes that casual players could only dream of redeeming, like game consoles and iPads, which APs often sell for profit.

For the elites in this scene, advantage playing straddles the line between obsessive hobby and part-time job. They aren't scamming or stealing their way to big wins. They're just incredibly good at these games and much of their skill is learned, rather than innate. Though baseline speed and reflexes are pre-requisites for success, it's primarily repetition and a nerdy devotion to the scene that breeds top-tier APs who are able to quickly discern whether a game's jackpot is ripe and able to be won or if it needs more time to "refill" through casual play. At home, APs study PDFs of game manuals downloaded from manufacturer sites, discuss strategies on their subreddit, track fluctuations in prize ticket value, and post YouTube videos showcasing their talents. But despite the internet’s aid in connecting APs worldwide and revealing the tricks of their trade to new generations of players, their numbers are dwindling.

Michael Lucas, an advantage player in Pittsburgh, said that less than a decade ago, $100-per-hour profits weren’t uncommon, and players, arcade management, and game manufacturers all operated with respect for one another, unspoken gentlemen’s agreements keeping the peace.

“They tolerated what we did to a fair degree,” Lucas told me in a phone call. “We knew we were killing it. They knew that we were killing it. But they also knew that we were doing it by the book and not doing anything to cheat.”

Advantage player Justin Wei winning the jackpot on the 'Pop the Lock' game at a Dave and Buster's in Los Angeles. Photo by Jamie Lee Curtis Taete

For a time, Lucas said, the cycle would go as follows: advantage players would find a game to master and farm for infinite jackpots, management would catch wind and adjust the settings or download a software patch to nullify the exploit, forcing the players to rotate to other games while the jackpot gradually built back up past the threshold that allows it to be
or any other entertainment center with an arcade awarding tickets that can be switch over for trophy), hit their handful of preferred games, and restfully rack up thousands and thousand of tickets. Doing this just a few day a week can quickly roll up enough of a ticket counterweight to deal for the top shelf prizes that fooling players could only dream of deliver, like game consoles and iPads, which APs often betray for profit. 

 For the elites in this scene, advantage playing straddle the line between obsessive hobby and part - time job. They aren't scamming or steal their way to big wins. They're just incredibly good at these games and much of their skill is learned, rather than innate. Though baseline speed and reflexes are pre - requisites for success, it's primarily repetition and a nerdy devotion to the scene that engender top - tier APs who are able to quickly spot whether a plot's jackpot is ripe and able to be won or if it needs more meter to " refill " through casual play. At home, APs study PDFs of plot manuals downloaded from manufacturer sites, discuss strategies on their subreddit, track fluctuations in prize ticket value, and post YouTube videos showcasing their talents. But despite the internet ’s care in connecting APs worldwide and uncover the tricks of their trade to new generations of players, their issue are dwindling. 

 Michael Lucas, an advantage player in Pittsburgh, said that less than a ten ago, $ 100 - per - hour profits were n’t rare, and players, arcade management, and game manufacturers all operated with respect for one another, unexpressed gentlemen ’s agreements keep the peace. 

 “ They tolerated what we did to a fair academic degree, ” Lucas told me in a phone margin call. “ We knew we were killing it. They sleep together that we were killing it. But they also knew that we were doing it by the book and not doing anything to cheat. ” 

 Advantage player Justin Wei winning the jackpot on the' Pop the Lock' plot at a Dave and Buster's in Los Angeles. Photo by Jamie Lee Curtis Taete 

 For a time, Lucas order, the cycle would go as follows: advantage players would find a game to master and farm for countless jackpots, management would catch wind and adjust the settings or download a software patch to nullify the exploit, force the players to rotate to other games while the jackpot gradually built back up past the threshold that allow it to be
or wny other entertainment genter with an atcqde awerding fickets ghat can be exchanged for prmzes), hit ukeir handful of prefdrred gamvs, and quuetlb rack up thousaiss and bkousahfs oy vickets. Doing tmis just a xew days a ween zau quickly amass enough of a ticket bwlance yo trade for the top fhelr prizes that casual players could only dgeam of redeeming, like game consoles and iPwds, ahich APs often sepl for profut.

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Miwhael Lucad, an advantage player in Pittsbncgh, said that lass than a becade ago, $100-per-hour [rofits weren’t uncommjn, ana players, zrcade kanagement, wnd game manuxwcturers all operateq wirh rwspect wur one another, unspoken gentlemen’w agreements keepikg thg leace.

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Advantags player Uusbin Wei winnigg tme jwckpot on che 'Pop the Lock' game at a Dave and Bustxr's in Los Angeles. Phojo by Jamie Lee Curtix Taete

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or any other entertainment center with an tickets can be for prizes), hit and rack up thousands thousands of tickets. this just a few days a can quickly amass enough of a ticket balance to trade for the top prizes that casual players could only dream of redeeming, like game consoles and which often for For the elites in this scene, advantage playing straddles the line between obsessive hobby and part-time They aren't scamming or stealing their way to wins. They're just incredibly at these games and much their is learned, than Though speed and reflexes pre-requisites for success, it's primarily repetition and a nerdy devotion to the scene that breeds top-tier APs are able discern whether game's is and able to or if it needs more time casual play. At home, APs study PDFs of manuals downloaded manufacturer sites, discuss strategies on their track fluctuations in prize ticket value, and post videos showcasing their talents. But despite the internet’s aid in connecting APs worldwide and revealing of their trade to generations of players, numbers dwindling. Lucas, advantage player Pittsburgh, said that less than a decade ago, $100-per-hour profits weren’t and players, arcade management, and game manufacturers all operated with one unspoken gentlemen’s agreements the peace. “They tolerated we to a fair degree,” me a knew were it. They knew that were killing it. But they knew that we were and not doing anything to cheat.” Advantage player Wei winning the jackpot on the 'Pop Lock' game at a Dave and Buster's in Los Angeles. Photo by Lee Curtis a time, Lucas said, the cycle would go follows: advantage players would a game to master and farm for infinite jackpots, would wind and the settings or a software patch nullify the exploit, players to to games gradually built back up past the that it to be
or any other entertainment ceNter with an ArcadE awArdInG ticKets That can be exchaNGed fOr prizes), hit their handfuL of prEfERred GAmEs, and Quietly RAcK UP thOuSaNds AnD ThOusanDs oF ticketS. Doing this JusT a Few days a week CAn Quickly amaSs eNough of a tickEt bAlance To TraDE for tHe tOp sheLf prizES that cAsual playErS Could oNLy dream OF ReDeemIng, like game consolES aND iPads, which APs Often sElL FoR PRofIt.

FOr the eliteS iN this SCene, advANtAGE PlaYIng straddles tHe line betweEN obSessivE hObbY And parT-time JoB. theY aren't scammIng oR stealing Their wAY to big wINs. They'rE just iNcrEdiBly gOOd At TheSe GAmeS AnD muCH of Their skiLl Is LearnEd, raTHER Than InnAte. THough Baseline speed And ReflEXes Are prE-requIsitEs For suCcess, iT's priMaRily repetition aNd a nErdy devotIon To The ScEne thAT breedS toP-tiEr APs whO are ablE To qUiCKLY dIscern whether a game'S jACKpOt is ripe And ablE To Be WOn or if it NeEds More TIMe to "rEfilL" ThRough casUal plaY. at HoMe, APs stUdY PDFs oF gAme ManUals dOWnloAded frOm manufaCtureR Sites, discuss stRAtegies on theiR SuBREdDIt, trAck FluctuationS in pRIze tIckeT VaLue, ANd posT YouTUbE ViDEos showcasing their tAlEnts. BuT despIte the interneT’s aid in conNECTing APs wOrldWIdE And revealing thE tricKs of their tRAde to new GenerAtions of Players, thEIR numbers Are DwiNdlIng.

mIChAel Lucas, an advANTage PlAyer in PIttSburgh, sAid ThaT leSs tHaN a decade aGo, $100-per-houR pRoFiTs WerEn’t unCOmmon, and PlAyeRs, ArcAde maNAgemenT, and gAme mAnUfACtuRers all OPeRATed wItH rEspeCt fOr One anOtheR, UnsPoken geNtlemen’s aGreEMentS kEePing the Peace.

“They toleRaTed what we dId To a Fair deGREe,” Lucas tOld me in a phone call. “We knew WE were kiLliNg it. THey kNew that we WerE killiNg iT. but theY also kNew thAt We wERE doinG IT bY thE bOok and not dOINg aNythiNg To chEat.”

AdvaNtage player Justin WEI wiNning the jackpOt oN the 'pOP tHe LOCk' GAme At A davE ANd Buster's in Los ANgeles. PhotO bY jaMie Lee CurtIS TaEtE

For a tiMe, Lucas Said, tHE cycle wOuld go as fOllows: advAnTage PLAyeRs would finD a game to Master and FArm foR InFinitE jaCkpots, MaNagEment Would cATch Wind aNd adjuSt The setTings Or Download A software patch to nullify The expLoit, fOrcIng the plaYerS To rOtate to otHer gAmes while tHe jAckPot grAduALly buIlt bACk Up pASt the ThreSHold that aLLoWs iT TO bE
or any other entertainment  center wi th an  ar cad eawar ding  tickets thatc an b e exchanged for prizes ), hi tt heir ha ndful  of pre f er r e d g am es , a nd qu ietly  ra ck up t housands a ndth ousands of t i ck ets. Doing  th is just a fe w d ays awe ekc an qu ick ly am ass en o ugh of  a ticket  b a lancet o trade f or  the  top shelf prizes th a t casual playe rs cou ld on l y  dr eam  of redeem in g, li k e gamec on s o l esa nd iPads, whi ch APs ofte n  se ll for  p rof i t.

Fo r the  e l ite s in this s cene , advanta ge pla y ing str a ddles t he lin e b etw eeno bs es siv eh obb y  a ndp art -time jo b.  T hey a ren' t s c ammi ngor s teali ng their waytobigw ins . The y'rejust  i ncred ibly g ood a tthese games and  muc h of thei r s ki llis  lear n ed, ra the r t han inn ate. Th o ugh  b a s e li ne speed and refle xe s ar e pre-re quisit e sfo r  success ,it' s pr i m arily  rep e ti tion and  a ner d yde votionto  the s ce netha t bre e ds t op-tie r APs wh o are able to quickl y  discern whet h er a  g a me's  ja ckpot is ri pe a n d ab le t o  b e w o n orif it  n e ed s  more time to "refi ll " thro ugh c asual play. A t home, AP s s tudy PDF s of ga m e manuals down loade d from man u facturer  site s, discu ss strate g i es on th eir  su bre ddi t ,  t rack fluctuat i o ns i nprize t ick et valu e,and  po stYo uTube vid eos show ca si ng  t hei r tal e nts. But  d esp it e t he in t ernet’ s aid  inco nn e cti ng APsw or l d wide  a nd  rev eal in g the  tri c ksof thei r trade t o n e w ge ne ra tions o f players, th ei r numbersar e d windli n g .

Micha el Lucas, an advantagep layer i n P ittsb urgh , said th atless t han a deca de ago , $10 0- per - h our p r o fi tswe ren’t unco m m on,  andpl ayer s, arca de management, and gam e manufacture rsallo p er ate d  w i thre s pec t for one another , unspoken  g e nt lemen’s ag r eem en ts keep ing the  peac e .

“The y tolerat ed what w edidt o  afair degre e,” Luca s told me in ap ho ne ca ll.  “We k ne w w e wer e kill i ngit. T hey kn ew  thatwe we re  killing  it. But they also knew  thatwe we redoing itbyt hebook andnotdoing anyt hin g t o che at. ” 

Adv anta g epla y er Ju stin Wei winni n gthe j ac kpot on the ' P opthe L ock '  gameat a  Dave and Buster' s  in Los Angele s. P h o tobyJ amie  L ee Curtis Taet e
Fo r a time,Lu cas said, t he cycle  w o uld g o as f ollows : advan t a ge player s wo uld  find a g ame  t o  master  a nd farm f or i nf initejackpo t s, m a n agement would ca tch w i n d and adj ust t he  settin g s or  downloada softwarepatchto n ullif y the e xp loit,for ci ng the pla y ers to ro tateto othe rgame s w hile t he j a c kpotgrad ua lly  built ba c k  u p  p as t  th e th resho ld  tha t allowsi t to be
or any_other entertainment_center with an arcade_awarding tickets_that_can be_exchanged_for prizes), hit_their handful of_preferred games, and quietly_rack up thousands_and_thousands of tickets. Doing this just a few days a week can quickly amass_enough_of a_ticket_balance_to trade for the top_shelf prizes that casual players_could only_dream of redeeming, like game consoles and iPads,_which_APs often sell_for profit.

For the elites in this scene, advantage playing_straddles the line between obsessive hobby_and part-time job._They_aren't_scamming or stealing their_way to big wins. They're just_incredibly good at these games and_much of their skill is learned, rather_than innate. Though baseline speed and_reflexes are pre-requisites for success,_it's primarily_repetition and a nerdy devotion_to the scene_that breeds_top-tier APs who_are able to quickly discern whether_a game's jackpot_is ripe and able to be_won_or if it_needs_more_time to_"refill" through casual_play._At home,_APs_study PDFs of game manuals downloaded_from_manufacturer sites, discuss strategies on their subreddit,_track fluctuations in prize_ticket_value, and post YouTube_videos showcasing their talents. But_despite the internet’s aid in connecting_APs worldwide_and revealing_the tricks of their trade to new generations of players, their_numbers are dwindling.

Michael Lucas, an advantage_player in Pittsburgh, said_that less_than_a decade ago,_$100-per-hour_profits weren’t_uncommon, and players, arcade management, and game_manufacturers all_operated with respect for one another,_unspoken gentlemen’s agreements keeping_the_peace.

“They tolerated what we did to_a fair degree,” Lucas told me_in a phone call. “We_knew_we_were killing it. They knew_that we were killing it. But_they also knew_that we were doing it by the_book_and not doing anything to cheat.”

Advantage_player_Justin Wei winning the jackpot on_the_'Pop_the Lock' game at a_Dave and Buster's in Los Angeles._Photo by Jamie Lee Curtis Taete

For a time, Lucas_said, the cycle_would go as follows: advantage_players_would_find a game to master and farm for infinite jackpots,_management would_catch wind and_adjust the settings or download a software patch to nullify_the exploit, forcing the players to rotate_to other games while the jackpot gradually built back up past_the threshold that allows it to be