You can liken Pachinko to an arcade game though it is more often used as a gambling device. In Western culture, the slot machine is a simple and fun way to gamble with limited stakes and even more limited strategy.
Pachinko fills that niche in Japanese gambling culture and you may find several parlors dedicated to the mechanical game across the country.
If you do find yourself in such a parlor, here’s how to play Pachinko.
The History Of Pachinko
Pachinko parlors exploit a legal loophole that allows the game to exist as gambling for cash is strictly illegal in Japan.
The widespread popularity that Pachinko currently enjoys began back in the 1920s when the machines were initially built as a kid’s toy known as the ‘Corinth game’ which was named after the ‘Corinthian bagatelle’ from the US.
Inspiration also came from Japanese billiards, known as ‘Billiard japonais’. By 1930, the game had become an adult pastime in Nagoya (see also ‘25 Best Things To Do In Nagoya‘) though it was soon set to sweep the nation.
Though the pachinko parlors were shut down during the Second World War, by the late 1940s they were back up and running.
Back in Nagoya (see also ‘ Is Nagoya Worth Visiting On Your Next Trip To Japan? ‘), the first commercial pachinko parlor was opened in 1948 where the machines remained simply mechanical devices using bells to signal how the game was going.
That was until the 1980s when electric flashing lights helped indicate when the machine was out of balls.
Nowadays, the pachinko machines are even more high-tech with a digital display.
This development has helped the game of pachinko become closer aligned with a slot machine as the principal aim is to get three symbols or numbers in a row.
Playing Pachinko
When faced with a pachinko machine, it may seem bewildering to play. The Japanese gambling machines have been likened to slot machines and pinball.
Whether in a dedicated pachinko parlor or a casino, there are various methods of playing yet the rules remain more or less the same.
Find A Pachinko Machine
If you are in Japan, it should be quite simple to find a dedicated pachinko parlor as they are so widespread yet if you are outside the country then you may find a pachinko machine in a casino.
When you do come across a pachinko machine, it should look similar to a vertical pinball machine.
You should also find the right one for you based on your skill level as the types range from novice to intermediate and advanced.
Start on too high a level and you may fail to enjoy the game as much as you thought.
Pay Attention To The Machine’s Statistics
Each pachinko machine should have some statistics on the top. If you get to the parlor later in the day, you may be able to stake out a favorable machine based on the statistics alone.
Choose wisely as it can help your odds of winning.
The numbers on top of the machine indicate how many wins and spins the machine has had.
Obviously, the larger number will show the number of spins and the total will be based on that day’s play.
A pachinko machine with a low number of wins with a comparably large number of spins will be preferable as there is more chance of winning and the machines often win in waves.
How popular the parlor looks also helps show how popular its machines are as a quiet, almost empty, parlor can indicate machines that do not pay out that often.
Playing The Game
Deposit your money in the machine then press the ball-release button, also known as the tamakashi button.
The balls should fall into the tray at the top which is called the uwazara and then you can turn the handle.
The aim is to find the right angle to direct the balls into the hole at the bottom of the machine so keep twisting the handle to get the right speed.
Use the gaps and avoid the pegs on the board though you should also watch out for the doors. When the doors are open, you should be able to get three balls through all at once.
Once the balls are through the doors, the three jackpot reels will be triggered and you can hope to hit the jackpot or get to a situation known as a ‘reach’ with two identical numbers while you await a third.
Play Within Your Limits
If you are sticking with a single pachinko machine, keep your spending budget to around 500 to 1,000 yen which is around $5 to $10. After that, move on to a different machine, or even a new one.
The newest machines are known as ‘shindai’ which are different as they will not have the statistics on the top but can pay well if you get to use one within the first two weeks.
You may have to pay attention to the advertisements on trains to book a slot.
Play Online
If you are outside of Japan, you can still play pachinko and you only need to venture online. Find your preferred platform as you can play on a tablet, computer, or even your smartphone.
Try the free games first as they can give you a taste of how to play properly.
Once you are ready to play for money, you can use your card details to pay yet do exert caution as some gambling sites are not as credible as others.
Final Thoughts
If you happen to be walking through Tokyo, you may be intrigued by the signs for pachinko parlors.
While gambling for cash is illegal in Japan, playing pachinko may be a fun way of becoming ingrained in Japanese culture.
If you prove good at the game, you could be leaving the parlor with an array of prizes.
Though the parlors are declining in popularity, they remain a mainstay of Japanese culture and recreational pastimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Play The Slot Machine?
The slot machine associated with pachinko uses numbers.
These numbers need to be lined up as three in a row though it may be easier to wait for a ‘reach’ which is where you have two numbers in a row and are anticipating a third.
When this happens, you should see the number you want battling another number, and both are represented by characters across the screen.
If you win in a reach, every ball you have won is then multiplied tenfold.
What Prizes Can I Expect To Win During A Pachinko Game?
If you have been successful and hit the jackpot, you can exchange your balls for some prizes.
You will typically be given a receipt which you take to the prize counter and then you can choose your prizes.
These can range from pens, cigarette lighters, cheap, tasty snacks like chocolate bars, or even some branded electronic items.
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy our article on ‘How To Use Incense Holder‘.
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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