How to Play Pachinko and its history
If you ever get a chance to walk around the streets of Japan, chances are you wouldn’t get too far without running into a local Pachinko parlor. The bright lights and loud sounds of metal balls bouncing around can be a little overwhelming to tourists in Japan. Here is How to Play Pachinko.
As per estimation, Japan spends around 2 billion dollars a year at Pachinko parlors around the country. If we compare that’s around 30 times the annual money generated from casinos in Las Vegas and roughly makes up 4% of Japan’s GDP.
The game has even spread out around the world and can now be played at land-based casinos as well as online casinos. Despite known as a grey area in Japan, Pachinko parlors can be found everywhere. So how is the game played and why is it considered to be so popular? Let’s get the answers.
History of Pachinko
This game was invented in the 1930s in Japan. It is based on an American game known as the Corinth Game. In the year 1920, the game of Corinth was brought over to Japan and became a huge hit. It was there in local shops around the country. Corinth was quickly adapted into a new game which got the name of Pachinko.
This game was first introduced in Nagoya Japan starting in the 1930s and quickly spread out all over the country. In a very short time the game took over the nation and machines could be found everywhere.
The name of the game Pachinko comes from the name Pachi Pachi which refers to the sounds the machines would make when they were being played. In the next few years, the game got popular around Japan and became an instant hit. At the start of World War 2, the government of Japan banned Pachinko.
The game was now outlawed all over Japan as the government needed the metal used in the balls for military purposes. After the end of the war Pachinko slowly began to reappear in shops around the country. Finally, the ban was lifted. In the late ‘80s early 90’s the game began to evolve.
It went from being a purely mechanical machine to one that now includes flashing lights and loud sounds as well as mini-games you can access and a new feature that wasn’t earlier available.
How to play Pachinko
It can be compared to a pinball machine. This game is played using a vertical board. The board consists of a ball launcher which is activated by turning on a knob. This is arguably the one place where skill is involved as this will ascertain how hard and fast your balls are hit onto the board. The mainboard is filled with pegs and a small hole is found in the center of the board.
The goal is to get as many balls in the small hole in the center of the board. To get started, you have to first need to purchase a certain amount of balls to start playing. Most players in Japan will be with 500 Yen worth of balls. Once you have purchased the balls you can sit at your preferred Pachinko machine and start playing. Each machine will have different values and different minigames or options. It will help create a variety among all the different machines.
Is pachinko legal?
Gambling is not legal in Japan, however, Pachinko parlors have found ways to get around any gambling restrictions. Each ball has a value associated with it. The more balls you collected the more tickets you can claim. Once you cash out your tickets you will need to take them over to another shop which is usually located next door or around the corner where you can cash in your tickets for cash or prizes.
As both places are considered separate from each other this allows for a loophole to allow Pachinko Parlours to stay open. Also, the amount of money Pachinko Parlours generates in tax revenue is also certainly helping them avoid any issues with gambling regulations.
Online pachinko
All these years Pachinko has evolved and can now be played online as well. Many sites offer generic versions of the game that can be played for fun. However, for those looking for a little more excitement and action you can also find Pachinko in many online casinos and other gambling sites.
You will find multiple versions of this game to play. The most common version of Pachinko at online casinos has you clicking the spin button to begin. The game will shot 100 balls in a row. Based on where the balls land during that round you will receive different amounts of coins. Some locations on the screen have a higher payout. No matter what your preference is, there’s a version of the game for everyone.