Have you been to Japan on vacation, but have you been to a lot of tourist spots, eaten a lot of food, and have nothing to do?
If so, this is the place to go for a casual, exciting and profitable experience!
And you can even make a profit!
「A dream place that surpasses even certain rat theme parks.」
That’s pachinko!
「The Question of Pachinko」
What is pachinko anyway?
Is it a casino? Isn’t it gambling? How do I play pachinko?
Which is the best place to play? Can I really win?
I don’t know how to play pachinko…”
In this article, we will answer these questions and more!
「What is pachinko?」
「The History of Pachinko」
There are various theories, but the most popular theory is that wall machines, which were a big hit in Europe in the early 1900s, were introduced to Japan.
The machine was a simple machine in which a coin was inserted, a ball was ejected onto the board, and a lever was used to eject the ball, which, when it hit a prize slot on the board, paid out a coin or coins.
It is said that wall machines were introduced to Japanese amusement centers from the end of the Taisho era (1912-1926) to the beginning of the Showa era (1926-1989).
It is not certain if they were brought to Japan by sailors on foreign ships or by traders, as this was also a long time ago.
At that time, amusement arcades had chess, Go, target practice, blowguns, ball games, peep show glasses, automatic perfume sprayers, etc., and wall machines were introduced there.
However, gambling is prohibited in amusement centers, so money should not come out directly like in wall machines. Therefore, a ball game type candy vending machine was developed, inspired by the wall machine.
This is a cute one in which sweets come out instead of money.
This was the forerunner of the pachinko machine.
「I can’t be satisfied with just candy!」
I don’t know if anyone ever said that.
In response to such comments, the ball game type candy vending machine evolved again.
The prototype of the pachinko machine.
Adults are not satisfied with candy! I still want more excitement!
I want money to come out!
These are some of the opinions that were expressed.
In response to these opinions, a machine called “ichisen pachinko” was developed for adults.
When a penny was put into the machine, a ball was ejected, and when it hit the prize slot, the penny was returned to the player.
This is the prototype of pachinko! Thank you, the man who made it! The man who made it!
This pachinko machine, which started in an open-air market in Osaka, exploded in popularity in Japan, leading to the present day.
This is what pachinko parlors looked like back then.
I have learned that the word “pachinko” in one word has a long history.
Pachinko is deep!
「Isn’t pachinko gambling?」
Pachinko has such a deep history, but it is 「not gambling!」
「Pachinko parlors are sex establishments?」
No, no, no, it is not what you imagine it to be.
In Japan, pachinko parlors (also called “halls” or “parlors”) are classified as adult entertainment businesses.
The most common type of business is the adult entertainment business, in which customers exchange the steel balls they receive as a result of playing for special prizes designated by the pachinko parlor, which are then purchased by a prize exchange operated by a prize buyer (antique dealer) and exchanged for cash.
「Pachinko parlors are only places to obtain prizes.」
Customers
Get a prize at a pachinko parlor
↓
A buyer who happens to be nearby buys the prize.
The buyer buys the prize from the pachinko parlor
↓
The customer gets the money.
This is the flow of the game.
This is different from casinos, where money is exchanged directly.
「How do I play?」
Now let’s talk about how to play pachinko in pachinko parlors.
Beginners are often asked how much money they need to play pachinko.
50,000 yen or 100,000 yen? 1,000,000 yen?
No, no, you don’t need that much! LOL!
「The market price is about 10,000 to 30,000 yen.」
Or rather, if you spend more than that, it will be difficult to get it back.
So, the possibility of winning also decreases, so that is considered the market price.
Take the extra money you have during your trip to a pachinko parlor!
Pachinko parlors are quite glittering, and it is surprisingly difficult to enter!
Let’s be brave and go inside!
Then, go to 、、、、、
The clerk greets you with the best smile!
This smile will ease your nerves at once!
Then, find a table you like and sit down.
「And then it’s pachinko time!」
Now the dream begins!
First of all, there is a place called a “sando” (a place to put cash) just to the left of the pachinko stand, so you put your bills there!
It looks like this.
Then, the money is charged to your table.
Next, you press a button called “ball rental” to convert the money into balls.
The button is usually located on the right side of the table.
This is where the button is located.
Then a ball will come out, and you twist the handle to launch it onto the machine and pray for the jackpot to hit!
This is the main flow of the machine!
How is it? It’s easy, isn’t it?
「”Left-handed and right-handed.”」
Basically, the handle is twisted to the left.
This is called “left-handed hitting.
This is the rule for playing pachinko.
You put your power into your left hand while hoping to hit the jackpot.
And here comes the jackpot!
Congratulations!
This time is commonly referred to as the “brain juice-dropping” state.
However…!
You should not be relieved just because you hit the jackpot!
Depending on the machine, you may be instructed to hit the jackpot “right-handedly.
When the instruction is given, twist the handle to the right.
※Be careful, because if you don’t follow the instruction, you may lose the jackpot itself depending on the machine!
Which table should I hit?
So, what kind of machines should a pachinko beginner hit?
Pachinko is mainly played on
Sweet Digital
Light middle
Middle
Middle
Sweet digital pachinko machines have a jackpot probability of about 1 in 99.
Light Middle: about 1/199
Middle: about 1/315
The probability of winning the jackpot is different between these three types of machines.
A machine that hits the jackpot more easily will return fewer payouts.
Conversely, a machine that is more difficult to hit will pay out a larger payout when it does hit.
So, please think about this while consulting with your own wallet!
「Hit the table you like.」
Basically, I think it is a good idea to hit your favorite machines.
Nowadays, there are many machines with motifs from anime and manga, so you may want to choose one based on your favorite anime or manga!
My recommendation would be Evangelion!
「Can I win for sure?」
I can assure you this.
「It’s not true! LOL!”」
Even though it is not gambling, it is something you spend money on, so be careful and have fun playing!
「Finally.」
Finally.
I hope you have learned that pachinko has a long history and is a very deep game.
The excitement of hitting a jackpot is addictive once you get to know it.
However, it is also true that many people’s lives have been ruined by pachinko.
Therefore, I would like everyone to play pachinko within the limits of what you can afford to play.
I wish you all a jackpot!
Let’s enjoy your pachinko life!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
