Play Pachinko Online
Pachinko, a Japanese game traditionally played on a machine, has gained a lot of popularity among casino gaming enthusiasts. The game is quite similar to pinball and slots games. Initially offered in land-based rooms called parlours, pachinko has made its way to the online platform. Many online casinos offer this game to their members. Typically, pachinko is featured in a section called ‘Asian Games’ on online casino lobbies. A few sites offer pachinko variations designed to ensure that all players have a good time with the game. This is a highly entertaining game with the objective of landing a few virtual balls on the screen, into a few slots.

Evolution of Pachinko
In the 1920s, pachinko machines were developed in Japan, for children to play. Initially, the machines were called Corinth, a name that was derived from an older and similar parlour game Corinthian Bagatelle. Pachinko was styled after this game, which too was played with balls on a board with channels that led to holes. Though it was originally developed for children, the game gained a lot of popularity among adults. Around 1930, the game was played extensively in Nagoya, and it spread from here to the rest of the country. The game was played in parlours at this time. However, during World War II, these rooms were shut down and people stopped playing pachinko. However, the game made a successful comeback in the 1940s.
In 1948, the first parlour designed exclusively for the game, opened its doors to enthusiastic players. A few years later, Taiwan followed in Japan’s footsteps and embraced the game. Here too, several pachinko parlours were established. Pachinko machines were operated mechanically till the 1980s. Bells were employed to signal the state of a particular machine. Flashing lights and such were used to draw attention to the fact that a machine had run out of balls, or was experiencing a glitch. Flippers were used to control the speed of the balls. A few years later, the machines were incorporated with innovative features that were powered by electricity.

Pachinko Layouts Onscreen
The design of land-based pachinko machines have been replicated at most online casinos. They key aim of doing this is to retain some of the elements of the game, so that the experience of playing it online is similar to that when played offline. The screen for a pachinko game will feature a board and buttons which perform specific functions. While online casinos offer pachinko layouts that are unique to them, most of the sections on them are similar.
A typical layout will feature a section that allows you to choose the number of balls you want to play with. The stake for each ball that you intend to play can be adjusted. Both, the number of balls and stake per ball can be set using the ‘up’ and ‘down’ buttons provided beside the sections. The next set of buttons that you will find on online versions of this game are the play/shoot and auto-shoot buttons. The shoot button will typically have a provision by way of which you can manipulate how far a ball is shot. When you start playing the game, the screen will feature four key areas in addition to the pay-table. They are – the number of balls collected, those remaining, stake per ball and winnings. Some sites also provide information in the window, about the amount of money remaining in your online casino account. This allows you to place wagers within your bankroll.
Pachinko boards have a slots area into which the balls fall – through a small hole. It also has a number of pins and buckets. The latter is scattered on and featured at the bottom of the board. The buckets collect the balls that are released onto the board. Those that fall into the bucket are counted as the wining balls. At different levels in the game, unique buckets will appear on the screen. One such is the fairground merry-go-round, which can be activated to catch the balls. Other types of buckets are the panda and gorilla. The balls that are caught in these special buckets and haven’t been released fall into a slot. Depending on how it is played, it may then trigger a win that will open the bucket and drop to the base.
The game will typically have other features – windmills and mini slots. Windmills are designed to spin based on where the balls hit them. The slot on the board has a number of zero and paying slots. The points that the player gets is contingent on which type of slot it falls into. While it is not possible to initially determine whether the ball fell into a paying or non-paying slot, the result will be known when the slot reflects a value. These slots are offered in addition to the win/loss buckets featured at the bottom of the screen.
How to Play Pachinko Online
To start playing pachinko, you will have to go to the online casino lobby. Here, you will be offered a range of games, from which you will have to select ‘pachinko’. When the game window opens, you will have to first select the number of balls you want to play. You can select a desired number by using the scroll buttons provided near the box marked for this. Then, choose the amount of money you intend to wager on a ball.
Once you set this, the window will show you the total amount that you have wagered on that round. Following this, you will have to click the button marked ‘play’ or ‘shoot’. Before you click it, you can decide on the speed with which the balls should be shot onto the screen. The auto shoot mode is a useful tool, which releases all the balls successively. This way, you don’t have to manually release the balls onto the board. The auto shoot mode can be turned off at any point, and you can then start shooting the balls. Once the balls are released onto the board, they will travel on it till they either drop to the bottom of the screen or into a bucket. When the two letters or numbers of a spin match, the third typically spins for a while before it reveals the result. As each ball is released onto the board, you will get to view the ‘number of balls remaining’ in the box marked for it. When the number reaches zero, the round ends.
After each round, you will have to decide whether you want to collect your winnings or move on to the next round. If you decide to play the next round, the graphics will change a bit, and a number of balls will get carried over to the next round. The second round of every pachinko game has a ‘dark’ round. It typically features balls of fire. The payouts for these rounds are higher than that for other rounds. Following this, you can either collect or continue the game. When you opt to ‘collect’ you decide to collect your winnings and leave the game. Then, the winnings are transformed to cash which, in this case, the online casino will credit to a player’s account. Typically, the amount you earn on a game of pachinko is calculated by multiplying the number of balls you won with the rate at which they were bought.
Payout mode, systems and pay tables
In pachinko, you have the opportunity to win several jackpots. There are two ways that the game may allow you to do this – using the kakuhen system, or in the jitan mode. The payout mode most predominantly employed in pachinko is the kakuhen system. There are two possible ways the game may proceed in this case. One is that a percentage of the possible jackpots could raise the probability of you landing another jackpot by several times.
This will then be followed by another spin, and will be independent of the outcomes. The spins are determined by a random number generator (RNG) – a feature of the software on which the online casino runs. Owing to this, the player stands the possibility of getting a number of consecutive jackpots, provided he has hit is first jackpot. The second type of kakuhen is one where a player should have hit a certain number of odds before reaching a specific number of spins.
When you don’t make a jackpot for several rounds in the game, it will enter a payout mode called jitan, which lasts for several rounds. In this, the screen will display a few payout gates which make it easier for you to land a winning ball. When these are opened, the player will have to shoot balls through these too. In case a ball enters the gate, several others will be dropped into a tray at the bottom of the screen.
The pay table for each round of the game is different and is likely to vary with the theme of the game too. For instance, in round 1 and 3, each of the three bottom buckets offers four times the value of a ball that falls into it. However, in round 2, the pay-table indicates that the buckets offer six times the value of the balls. This is because, round 2 is special and releases fiery balls which are worth more than those in other modes.
Types of pachinko
The online versions of Pachinko are a great way to earn some money while having fun. While it offers you the excitement of playing a game that involves a lot of luck, it also gives you the chance to earn cash, especially in the form of jackpots. Different variations of online pachinko have been designed to offer players variety. The objective of these variants and their game-play are same as those for traditional online versions of pachinko. The key differences lie in the screenshots, which are designed to incorporate the themes. Each round in a game will have special payouts for each bucket.
One variant of pachinko employs the sports themes and these are offered by many casino sites. Pachinko combined with games like football and basketball make for a highly entertaining game-play. Some of the most preferred online sports theme pachinko games are NFL, NBA and Grand Slam tournaments. Before you start playing these sports variants of pachinko, the casino will require that you select the skill level at which you want to play – professional, intermediate or rookie. Each of these levels offers players a different wager per ball win. Typically, professional level players stand to win higher stakes per ball when compared to rookies and intermediates.
Another variant of pachinko that is extremely popular among online players is called Dolphin’s Paradise. The game, true to its name features dolphins, is vibrant and entertaining. The rules and game-play for this too are same as the traditional variants of pachinko. However, there are a few unique features in Dolphin’s Paradise. One such pertains to the layout of the pins. The game features two dolphins and a girl that jump around the reels, dive into a pool and bump balls. An element of excitement has been added in the form of a shark, which is chased around the screen by the two dolphins.
Choosing Where To Play Pachinko Online:
Site Fairness and Security
When you play pachinko online, ensure that the site is reliable. The best way to find out about it is to look through the certification that a casino has been given by companies like Better Business Bureau. These are verifications that indicate whether the site is capable of offering games that are designed to be fair. This is a characteristic of the software that the casino employs. In games like pachinko, the fairness of the Random Number Generator (RNG) – a feature of the software – influences the extent to which you can be assured of a reliable gaming experience.
This means that the site at which you play should employ a product from a reliable software provider. A key indicator of whether the site is dedicated to offering its patrons a fair gaming experience is its payout report. These are issued by auditing companies on a regular basis – mostly each month. The reports inform you about the payouts at the casino for each type of game. Most often, you will find this information for pachinko in the section for Asian games.
Another aspect to look for before you start playing pachinko at an online casino is its provisions for security. This is extremely important because when you start playing at a site, you will have to share crucial information like your personal details when you register. Also, when you play pachinko for real money, you will have to transfer money to the online account you create at the casino. To ensure that your transactions are secure, the site should ideally employ 128 bit SSL encryption technology that top financial institutions use.
Software
Currently, the only software provider that offers pachinko on online casinos is Playtech. So, if you are a fan of pachinko games, then select an online casino that runs on software from this provider. When you play pachinko at a casino, ensure that its graphics and animations are suited to meet your gaming requirements. This aspect is extremely important as visual appeal is a key element in pachinko. One of the software traits that pachinko players don’t have to worry about is whether the game can support multiple players. This is because pachinko is always played only between you and the casino.
Most casinos offer players two options – to download the casino software or use the flash version. The first option is great for those who want anytime access to the game. In this version, you also get to play other the games at the online casino. The second version is suitable for those who want to instantly play just a few games like pachinko. Both versions typically allow you choose between depositing cash to play in the real money mode, or to play for free in the play money mode.
Some sites are dedicated to ensuring that their players have the best gaming experience online and offer games in 3D. So, if you are looking to play pachinko in 3D mode, opt for a site that uses software to support this.
Customer Support
Customer support is a key element to having a complete experience at the site. When you play at a site, chances are that you may have queries about the site’s features, its games or software. In such situations, it is essential that you be able to access the site’s help. There are several ways to reach the support teams; however, not all casinos offer these options. So, before you sign-up to play pachinko at an online casino, ensure that the site you choose offers customer support in a form that suits you. One of the most common ways in which you can reach customer support is through e-mail. Most sites reply to patrons’ queries within 24 hours. Online casinos may also have toll-free numbers which you can use if you reside in the same country as the one from which the casino is operated. Sites also offer international numbers for other patrons playing across the nation. A highly effective form of communication between the site and its patrons is the live chat feature. Through this, you can have your queries answered immediately.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
When you play pachinko for real money, you will have to transfer cash to the online casino. The deposit and withdrawal options that the site provides for this should be reliable. Most often, sites offer a range of options, so you can select the one that suits you best. Some sites even provide additional information that can be useful for patrons. A few of these pertain to the number of days it takes for a transaction to be successful, whether a transaction method allows you to only deposit/withdraw, or do both, and which of the options can be used in a particular country. Use this information to decide whether the transaction options that the site offers are apt for you.
Bonuses, Promotions and VIP Clubs
One of the most rewarding aspects about playing pachinko at an online casino is the host of bonuses and promotions that you will have access to. These offer you a great opportunity to make the most of the money you spend at the online casino. Promotions and bonuses are the casino’s way of showing you that you are a valuable member. It rewards you with interesting offers of additional games and cash prizes for the amount of money you spend at the site.
Casinos offer bonuses even to new members. Most casinos welcome their new patrons by rewarding them with a sign-up bonus, of which there are two types – one is the first deposit bonus and the other is the no-deposit bonus. With the former, you will have to make a deposit that falls within a range prescribed by the site. Then, the site will match this amount to a certain percentage. While some offer 100% match bonuses, a few others offer up to 200% and 300% matches too. The no-deposit bonus is one through which the site rewards players with a bonus amount, without requiring them to transfer money to their online casino account.
When you play pachinko with an online casino, ensure that the bonuses that the casino is offering you are those that allow you to play more.
If you intend to play pachinko frequently for huge sums of money, it is best to opt for a site that has a VIP program. Through this, you will get the chance to earn points for the money you play. This means that when you spend huge amounts of money playing pachinko at the site, it will reward you with points that can be redeemed in different ways.
Pachinko for iPhone and Android Devices
One of the latest developments in the online casino world is the availability of pachinko on the iPhone, iPad, Android devices and other smartphones. Apple has a pachinko app that can be bought from the iTunes store. Several online casinos too allow smartphone and Android operating system users to access their games on handheld devices. This means that if you own such a device, you can play pachinko no matter where you are.
