Slots vs. Pachinko

slots-vs-pachinkoWhen most people think of slots, they picture the standard machine with spinning reels. But interestingly enough, slots are not the same as you look around the globe. This is especially the case when considering Pachinko, which is the closest thing that Japan has to slots games. So what’s the deal with Pachinko and how does it differ from slots? Let’s take a look below by examining some key characteristics between these two games.

Gameplay

For starters, slots and Pachinko play somewhat differently. As you may know with slots, you set up your betting options, spin the reels and hope for the best. Pachinko, on the other hand, is more of a hybrid pinball/slots game. You shoot a ball into the field of play, and there’s usually a slots reel in the middle. Assuming one of your balls lands in the right spot, the reels start spinning and you might win a prize.

Skill

Some Pachinko games involve a small element of skill, meaning your actions slightly affect the outcome. Going further, since you control the velocity of the ball, you also control the placement of where it’s going. Slots, on the other hand, almost never contain any amount of skill. This is changing a little lately, with the advent of skill-based bonus games. However, even these bonus rounds only influence the outcome by 3-4%.

Setting

If you play online Pachinko or slots, then the setting is your home. However, if you visit a land-based location, then you’ll be in two very different settings for slots and Pachinko. The latter is hosted in an arcade or parlor, where players are usually eating too. Slots, as many of us know, are housed in casinos among a lot of other games like blackjack, craps, roulette, video poker and more.

Assuming you’re a slots player who’s never played Pachinko before, I encourage you to check it out and see first hand how it compares to slots.