Many people may believe the midway games at the State Fair of Texas are impossible to win, right?
The truth is, most of them just take a lot of luck. But some do involve skill. Still, you need the time and money to practice, says Dallas-native Wayne Smith.
"At 54-years-old, I guess I should be a little more mature than this," Smith joked. "But I think being mature is a little bit overrated any how, don't you?"
His home is full of interesting things he's collected though the years.
"I love old toys and I love advertising," he said.
One of his favorite finds is an old skee ball machine.
"It's from Six Flags when it opened back in 1960," Smith said. "Somebody called and told me it was at an old antique mall just outside of Fort Worth, so I hopped in my truck and went over and picked it up."
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
He spends hours at a time playing to perfect his game.
"I've developed a fairly good talent at it, I guess," he added. "I have a thing for winning stuffed animals."
So when he's not playing at home, each October you'll find him playing at the State Fair of Texas.
People in the midway can spot him a mile away.
"Wayne's a regular with us," said fair worker Richard Daley. "Wayne comes every year and plays with us multiple times throughout the fair."
And once he warms up, it's game over.
"Wayne always wins," Daley laughed. "Wayne always wins."
Smith says he will spend up to $300 per visit.
"Let's put it this way, it costs a lot of money to gain that skill," he said.
And the only thing that makes him happier than winning, is giving it all away.
"I usually win about 50 prizes per year," he said. "I like to give them to charities when the fair is over."
