Pachinko is a Japanese gambling machine, with similarities to pinball, slot machines and billiards. It is a real cultural phenomenon in Japan, in which there are rooms dedicated solely to this game. Its popularity is spreading to other countries, where gambling lovers can play pachinko in casinos. The machines are designed in various ways and with different types of operation, but the rules of the game are always very similar.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding the Right Pachinko Machine
Step 1. Learn to recognize pachinko machines
They are often described as vertical pinball machines. The objective of the game is to shoot balls that fall into a maze of small metal cylinders and end them in a hole. The balls that arrive at their destination allow you to activate a slot machine that gives the possibility to win other balls. It is a game of chance, which also includes a skill component.
- The small steel balls are smaller than what you can find in regular pinball machines. They are shot in a vertical board.
- There are three types of Pachinko machines: for beginners, intermediate and advanced.
Step 2. Find a pachinko room
In Japan, entire arcades are dedicated only to pachinko. They are often called pachinko halls and you can find them all over Tokyo, as this game is very popular in Japan.
In the busiest rooms you can even see people queuing up before the morning opening, as pro players and other fans show up early to play first
Step 3. Play to win
Above each machine you can find statistics that indicate the win percentage of the device. Observe these values to choose the best machine, the one with the highest odds of winning.
- Above the car, look for a pair of numbers. One number is smaller than the other and represents the number of times a player has won, while the larger one is the number of attempts. Both values refer to the current day.
- Look for machines with a high number of attempts and a low number of wins, because devices tend to make players win in waves.
- Avoid machines that have already paid 25 times and many more the previous days, because they will probably be less lucky today.
- Try not to spend more than 5,000-10,000 yen (about € 5-10) on a single machine and don't play if the room is empty. It probably has a reputation as a no-win venue.
Step 4. Play on the new machines
New devices are called "shindai" and you will see them advertised because they don't show the stats above. Nonetheless, they often pay well, especially in the first two weeks.
Try to find a new machine to play on, even if you have to wait in line to do so. You will often find advertisements for shindai on local trains
Step 5. Play pachinko on the internet
The popularity of this game has spread all over the world and, to take advantage of the interest of the players, many companies allow it to be played online. You can do it on the platform of your choice, from your phone, tablet or computer. To find a site, just type "pachinko online".
- On some sites it is possible to play pachinko for free. Usually, free games don't allow you to earn real money, but they do allow you to practice and understand how the game works before trying it live.
- You can play pachinko online for real money, using your credit card. However, always pay attention to online gambling; not only can you lose a lot of money, but in some cases it is not easy to assess the reliability of a site.
Method 2 of 3: Play Pachinko
Step 1. Put the money in the machine
Insert cash or a prepaid card into the device. With the money you will buy a certain number of balls, as indicated on the machine. The change varies by device.
- If you are playing live, put the coins in the coin slot of the ball dispenser, which you can find on the left side of the machine.
- Think of the balls as casino chips. They represent real money, the only difference is that you cannot exchange them at the cashier.
Step 2. Press the ball release button
It is called tamakashi; press it and the balls will fall into the container at the top of the machine, called uwazara. You will be able to play with those balls, which you technically "borrowed" from the room.
If the balls don't come out or look cheaper than the ones you bought, ask a salesperson to help you
Step 3. Turn the handle
To start playing pachinko, pull the handle located on the lower right side of the machine. Turn it firmly, making it rotate. The force of the spin controls the speed at which the ball is thrown. You have to find the right angle to drop the balls into the hole in the lower part of the machine. Any balls that do not fit are considered lost and are collected in a container at the bottom.
- Keep turning the handle to find the ideal speed for the balls. Try to get about 20 balls into the hole for 1,000 yen spent.
- The more force you use to turn the handle to the right, the faster the balls will come out of the container.
- If you don't turn the handle hard enough or hard enough, the balls won't move. If you use too much force, they will go straight into the channel leading to the collection container.
Step 4. Try to avoid obstacles
One of the most important components of pachinko is knowing how to avoid metal cylinders in the path, which can deflect your balls. When you turn the handle, try to drop the balls into the empty spaces as much as possible, so that they end up smoothly in the winning hole.
- You can throw one ball at a time.
- Each board has 500 small cylinders that guide the balls.
Step 5. Pay attention to the doors
Another component of pachinko are the small doors that surround the hole, one on each side. When they are closed, only one ball will pass between the doors, while if they are open, three will pass.
The balls ending in the hole make you win more balls, in addition to activating the slot machine
Step 6. Play the slot machine
The slot uses numbers that you have to line up, trying to make three of a kind. Of course, the ultimate goal is three of a kind, but you must also try to be in reach condition, where you wait for the third number to appear after aligning the other two.
- You will get a reach about once in 4. At that point, you will see the number to be hit on the screen, competing with the other undesirable numbers. Usually, these numbers are represented by various funny characters literally fighting on the screen.
- If one of the other numbers wins, the most likely outcome, you lose. However, the fun comes when your number wins a reach. In that case, each won sphere is converted into ten balls, or the machine gives out a large amount of spheres.
Step 7. Follow the pachinko code of conduct
Since the game is very popular in Japan, a whole series of rules has arisen to be respected. Better to follow them if you find yourself playing in the game's home country, as otherwise you could make people close to you angry.
- Don't celebrate victories and don't look sad when you lose, as you will usually play very close to other people, who will try to keep a neutral expression. Most players don't want to be bothered by their neighbors. They see play as an activity to be done in solitude, not in society.
- Make sure you don't touch another person's balls, as it is considered rude and bad luck behavior.
- If you want to reserve a car, put a pack of cigarettes or other object in the container and you can reserve it for about half an hour.
- Do not take children with you.
Method 3 of 3: Collect Your Winnings
Step 1. Empty your winnings drawer
If you hit a jackpot, called aotari, the machine will drop balls into the bottom drawer. When you have accumulated a lot of them or if it seems to you that they are about to overflow, you need to empty it with the lever down.
- Don't move the cash drawer yourself. If it is full, you need to call a member of staff, who will move it for you. Usually, the person will put it behind you on the floor. You will also receive a new drawer if you wish to continue playing.
- Each box of balls is usually worth around 5,000 yen.
Step 2. Finish playing
At the end of the session, you must withdraw the money still on your card by pressing the return button of the card / coins. The card should be ejected and you can take it. Remember, like all games of chance, it's best to stop when you are winning.
Step 3. Call the staff
Again, never touch the win box, mainly because no one wants to be forced to collect thousands of balls. If you don't see a button to call someone, raise your arms and make a big X to indicate you're done. A staff member will come to you, collect your balls and take them to the machine that can count them.
Step 4. Get the cards or tickets
Since playing pachinko for real money is technically illegal in Japan, you will only receive cards or tickets in the pachinko halls. Once the balls have been counted, the staff will give you the tickets. Keep them in a safe place.
Just like in casinos, the spheres represent a certain amount of money. However, contrary to what you are used to doing, there is an extra step in the exchange. You have to convert the spheres into tickets and then into yen
Step 5. Exchange tickets at a tuck shop
Once you've collected your tickets, you need to go to a tuck shop, where you can exchange them for yen. Since playing pachinko for real money is illegal, the room staff won't tell you where to go. However, you can ask another friendly player for information.
- Once you reach the exchange shop, you will not find staff waiting for you, but a drawer. You will recognize it, because it is usually made of synthetic grass.
- Put the cards inside the drawer that will fit into the wall. When the drawer comes out with your yen, you can leave after collecting them.
- Often, tuck shops are small stalls located near pachinko lounges. In some cases, instead of a drawer, you will see a hole in the wall of the building where you can get your money back.
