The Game that gets the Japanese Going - Pachinko
For those looking for a little more excitement in their recreational gambling, there are some games out there that make the business of gambling more play than anything else. And one of those games is Pachinko.
Pachinko is a very popular game in Japan, and even saying that is a bit of an understatement. It’s a business that keeps one third of a million people employed in the Japanese work force, and makes up for forty percent of Japan’s entertainment industry. In other words, Pachinko is serious business, and you can literally find the game everywhere.
So what is Pachinko, exactly? The game is set up as a cross between playing a slot machine and pinball, and was originally introduced in the 1920’s as a children’s toy. The game became more prominent as an “adult” form of entertainment in the 1930’s, and became more of a mainstay in the 1940’s.
A Pachinko gaming machine is actually pretty easy to spot once a player steps into a parlor, as the machines are brightly lit, display animation, make sounds and music, and are usually adorned with popular cartoon characters. Truth be told, the machine looks somewhat like a pinball machine, only set upright.
The player will then proceed to purchase a number of small steel balls to be put into play. Once a player begins play, these steel balls begin to descend from the top of the machine, and will work their way through a maze like series of pins, where the balls bounce off the pins in their attempt to settle into some of the many jackpot holes. If a player wins, they are awarded even more balls that are put into play.
Hitting a jackpot greatly depends on the machine played. In other words, certain model types, operators, or even a machine’s location can influence a payout rate. Pachinko fans will classify a machine as either “old school”, as it is a more traditional style machine, or “ama-deji” or “yu-pachi” machines for the newer, flashier models. While there are some differences in appearance and pay out, both machines can still lead to a good payout.
The neat thing is, well, it’s simply fun to watch – in essence, it’s like playing pinball, only with a chance to win!
Finding a good Pachinko parlor can lead to an exciting world of bright lights and big payouts. From the serious gambler to the more fun loving gamer, Pachinko has remained a long standing tradition in the Japanese gaming community. If you find a machine, play for a bit – we’re sure you’ll have an excellent time.
