The Complete Guide to Playing Pachislot for Begginer of Foreigners

When visiting Japan, you might be curious about Pachislot (PachiSlot) rather than Pachinko.

It’s better to think of Pachislot as a derivative of Pachinko.

This explanation is for those who have already played Pachinko at least once in a Pachinko parlor.

If you’ve never been to a Pachinko parlor, it’s better to read about Pachinko first.

You’ll understand how to get to the shop and what to do when you win.

On this site, I will guide you through the enigmatic Japanese culture of Pachinko and Pachislot, and how to enjoy it, all from the perspective of a Pachinko master.

Please immerse yourself in this Japanese culture and get hooked!

“Even if you say Pachislot is derived from Pachinko, there are coins, levers, and buttons, and it’s not just watching like Pachinko, right?” You might think.

Yes, that’s correct.

Basically, you can’t just watch Pachislot; you have to operate it yourself and stop the reels.

However, Pachislot actually uses the same mechanism as Pachinko to draw the jackpot, so it’s not much different.

Let’s look at it step by step.

Types of Pachislot Machines

There are two main types of machines:

• Normal machines (also known as AType):


pachislot A type

These Pachislot machines draw for a jackpot with each spin, and if you hit it, you receive a fixed number of medals.

• AT/ART machines:


pachislot ART type

These have a mechanism where jackpots can occur consecutively, allowing you to win a large number of medals with a single jackpot.

Generally, normal machines are low risk and low return, while AT/ART machines are high risk and high return.

However, depending on the model, the probability can be lowered, making the risk-return ratio more of a middle risk and return.

Also, the mechanisms are simple for normal machines but a bit more complex for AT/ART machines.

Choose the risk-return that suits your mood and wallet.

Budget?

For a day’s budget, you can play with 20,000 to 30,000 yen on normal machines, and from 30,000 yen up to 100,000 yen on AT/ART machines.

Of course, sometimes you’re lucky and hit the jackpot right away, only needing 1,000 yen.

Also, only cash bills (1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen) are usable, not coins.

Naturally, credit cards and electronic money are also not accepted.

This is a decision made across the Pachinko industry, and there are no differences between stores.

It’s indeed a closed, classical world, even Japanese people think so (laughs).

Machines are frequently replaced, and popular models are used for a long time, but unpopular ones can be removed in a month.

Therefore, it’s a bit difficult to introduce each model one by one.

However, there are so-called classic models that appear and disappear in various versions, but the basic mechanisms are the same, and they are popular with many users.

There are original characters and popular anime and manga-based machines, offering a wide variety.

Classic Pachislot machines include the Juggler series and the Fist of the North Star series, which are installed in almost all Pachinko parlors.

Rate

pachi slot rates

You can play with any amount of money you like.

The main rate in shops is 20 yen per medal.

You play by increasing or decreasing these medals.

Depending on the store, there are also rates of 5 yen, 10 yen, and 2 yen.

If you want to play but not gamble, choose the rate that suits you best.

How to Play Pachislot?

1. Find a shop
2. Enter the shop

This is the same as Pachinko.

Please refer to Pachinko.

Types of Pachislot Machines

Since you’re playing Pachislot this time, I’ll focus on explaining Pachislot machines.

Head to the area where Pachislot machines are located.

The normal type, which is just about whether you hit the jackpot or not, is recommended for beginners.

There should be a section called the Juggler Corner, where the Juggler series is placed.

Let’s go there this time.

Here’s a simple explanation of normal and AT/ART machines.

Normal Machines (AType)

pachislot A type

These machines only determine whether you hit the jackpot with each spin.

So, like Pachinko, you can start and end playing anywhere.

Among them, the Juggler series, centered around the GoGo lamp lighting up for a jackpot, is straightforward and supported by many people.

AT/ART Machines

Unlike normal machines, these Pachislot machines are designed to continue hitting jackpots consecutively, like Pachinko.

They are equipped with jackpots called Bonuses, but the consecutive jackpots are distinguished as AT (Assist Time) or ART (Assist Replay Time).

You follow the screen’s order to continue hitting jackpots.

Gradually, the medals increase, and before you know it, you might have won 10,000 medals.

Also, unlike normal machines, if you don’t hit the jackpot, there’s a limit called the ceiling.

For example, if you don’t hit the jackpot within 1,000 games, you’re guaranteed to hit it at least once.

Small roles (like cherries or watermelons) that don’t mean much in normal machines have significance, affecting jackpots and ART, making it complex but deeply enjoyable.

There are many machines based on anime, offering visual enjoyment.

It’s worth trying at least once.

Smart Pachislot (Smaslot)

The recently developed Smart Pachislot machines don’t allow players to touch the medals directly.

This makes cheating difficult and reduces maintenance costs.

They seem to want to popularize it, and it’s currently the highest risk and return option available.

By the way, all Pachinko and Pachislot machine specifications are decided through discussions between a subordinate organization of the Japanese police and a private group, and only machines that comply with these specifications are allowed to circulate.

Choosing a Machine

Feeling overwhelmed?

Let’s quickly find a seat.

But do you ever hesitate when you see a row of the same models?

It’s okay to go with your gut feeling, but if you look above the pachinko machines, you’ll notice some numbers.

These are called data counters.

How to Read a Data Counter

Is the Machine Available or Temporarily Vacant?

reserved Pachislot lower plate

Is there a pet bottle, cigarette, or mobile phone left on the machine?

Or is there a card saying “Taking a break”?

If so, it’s likely that someone else is playing, and to avoid trouble, it’s best not to use that machine.

If they don’t return after some time, the staff will clear it and make it available.

Sitting Down and Preparing to Play

Now, let’s borrow some medals.

Have you prepared your cash?

How does it turn into medals?

Where to Insert Money

pachinko and pachislot side

Once seated, you’ll find a place to insert money (called a ‘sand’) on your right side.

Please insert your bills here.

Inserting Money and Borrowing Medals

pachislot borrowing medals

The sand where you put your money also has a button to lend medals.

Press it, and you’ll get medals worth 1,000 yen.

To return them, press the return button on the sand, and an IC card with the remaining amount will come out from the right.

Always carry the IC card with you when you leave your seat.

Starting the Game

Where to put pachislot medals

You’re finally ready to play.

You should see silver medals overflowing in the lower tray.

Now, please take three medals in your hand.

• Why Three Medals?


insert 3 medals

Pachislot machines are designed to operate with the insertion of three medals.

They will work with one or two, but in those cases, you’re almost guaranteed not to hit the jackpot.

Remember, three medals make a set.

• How to Play?


press the lever

On the right side of the machine, there’s a place to insert medals.

Put three medals in there.

Then, push the lever on the left side.

The reels will start spinning.

Try pressing the three buttons; the reels should stop.

Generally, press the buttons from left to right in order.

That’s all there is to it.

• Do I Always Have to Insert Three Medals?


maxbet button

You can store up to 50 medals in the pachislot machine.

When you align symbols like grapes that pay out a few medals, your medal count can increase.

In that case, press the MAX BET button on the left of the machine.

It will set up three medals for you, allowing you to continue playing smoothly.

• What if I Hit the Jackpot?



Gogo lamp



Beautiful light




If you hit the jackpot, in the case of the Juggler series, the machine’s GoGo lamp will light up.

Unlike pachinko, you have to align the bonus symbols (7) yourself to start the jackpot.

So, if the GoGo lamp lights up, aim for the 7s and stop them.

“What, that’s impossible!” Everyone thinks that.

But the 7s, even though they spin, are red and rotate consistently.

Press a little early, and they should stop for you.

If you can’t stop them, ask someone nearby for help.

Or, if that’s too difficult, press the call button on the data counter and ask a staff member to come.

They won’t align them for you (it’s against the law), but they will assist with the timing.

Also, as a little trick, even though you’ve been inserting three medals, when the GoGo lamp lights up, you can align the 7s with just one medal.

It may seem strange, but inserting just one medal and aligning the 7s will give you a slight advantage.

• I Aligned the 7s!


777

Congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Along with a fanfare, medals will start pouring out.

Press MAX BET, hit the lever, and press the buttons randomly.

You’ll get 15 medals each time.

Repeat this, and you can get about 300 medals in one go.

Once the jackpot ends, you’ll go back to hitting the lever until the next jackpot.

It’s that simple, right?

• What Should I Aim for Normally?


aiming for bar

It’s fine to play randomly, but you might want to be a bit more strategic.

There’s a black symbol called the Bar on the reels, and aiming for it means you won’t miss cherries, which is to your advantage.

You only need to aim for the leftmost reel.

I want to play AT, ART machines too!

Now that you’ve got the basics of Pachislot with Juggler, let’s try AT, ART machines.

The basics are the same as Juggler, but let’s highlight the differences.

They may seem complicated, but knowing just 1 and 2 is enough.

There’s a screen!

Pachislot machines with screens

The most obvious difference is that, unlike Juggler, there’s often a screen.

Various effects occur for each role you draw.

You can’t expect calm effects, but sometimes flashy ones occur, and rare roles, which I’ll explain later, may stop.

Press buttons from the left

pachislot Press from the left

While it was okay to press randomly in the Juggler series, AT, ART machines generally have a rule to press buttons from the left.

If you don’t follow this, you’ll receive a penalty, and in some cases, the machine won’t hit the jackpot.

If you make a mistake, the screen will switch and teach you that you haven’t pressed from the left.

Be careful.

Cherries (red) and watermelons (green) have meanings

roles of pachislot

In Juggler, these symbols only returned a few medals and didn’t mean much.

In AT, ART machines, they are called rare roles and have significance.

They can lead to jackpots or chances to hit jackpots more easily.

Some machines change the screen, making it easy to understand.

CZ? What’s that?

When you draw a rare role or a certain number of games pass, you enter a CZ (Chance Zone), where it’s easier to hit the jackpot.

When that happens, enjoy playing with the expectation of hitting the jackpot.

There are CZs with various names to add color to the game.

You win even if you do not understand the CZs themselves,
and when you do understand them you do not win (lol).

Jackpot isn’t announced immediately

magic number 32g of hokuto no ken

Even if you’re hitting the jackpot internally in Pachislot, like stopping cherries consecutively or entering CZ, many machines won’t tell you for a while.

In such cases, the screen often becomes livelier than before.

If the screen starts getting lively, continue playing for up to 32 games.

But don’t cry if it’s a false alarm…

There are higher levels of AT, ART during the jackpot

ART of pachislot Biohazard

Juggler has only one jackpot (technically BIG, Regular), but AT, ART machines have higher levels of AT, ART, which are the real jackpots.

What to do during AT, ART?

Press the buttons in numerical order.

Numbers will appear on the screen, so follow them and press the buttons.

Your medals will gradually increase.

If you draw a rare role in the meantime, you may get more jackpots or enter a stronger CZ.

If things go well, you might find yourself with 10,000 medals before you know it.

Over 10,000 medals

Amazing, right?

There’s a ceiling (天井 Tenzyo)

Games other than the jackpot are called normal games.

Sometimes you have to keep playing normal games without hitting the jackpot.

In such cases, AT, ART machines have a ceiling function as a relief measure.

Depending on the machine, if you don’t hit the jackpot in 1000 games, you’ll reach the ceiling and hit the jackpot.

There’s a super rare role called freeze

freeze on pachislot

Each machine is different, but there’s a feature that freezes at a super low probability, like 1/30000.

This is unique to AT, ART machines.

What happens is that for a while, you can’t press the buttons, and a long story plays on the screen.

At the end of the story, you can press the strongest role, expecting a massive medal haul.

It’s a rare role like an accident.

You might cry if you encounter it.

It’s complex! But it’s not much different from playing Pachinko once you try it.

Over 20,000 medals

You can keep hitting jackpots without knowing anything, and you can still lose even if you know a lot.

That’s Pachislot.

Don’t be too eager and give it a try.

By the way, I love AT, ART machines the most in Pachinko and Pachislot.

They’re deep and interesting, always offer fresh surprises, and have the potential for a large payout.

That was fun, Playtime’s over! What should I do?

• get a receipt

Call the staff, have them count your medals, and get a receipt.

• smart pachi slot button

If you are playing SmaSlot, transfer your medals using the Credit button and take them to the counter.

Don’t forget to settle any remaining amount!

For more details, please refer to How to finish? at Pachinko-Guide.

Now you’ve mastered everything about Pachinko and Pachislot.

First pachislot. 1980s.

If you’ve played AT, ART machines, you know more than the elderly in Japan.

I wrote this article dreaming of a future where foreigners enjoy playing AT, ART machines.

If you’re interested, please try the mysterious and seemingly difficult but actually simple Japanese culture of Pachinko and Pachislot!

Want to win?

setting 6 on pachislotWhat?

You want to win, not just play?

As I wrote in Pachinko, there are times when it’s easier to win, and if you play more during those times, you can win.

In Pachinko, loosening the nails makes it easier for balls to enter, but there are no nails in slots, right?

So how can you win easily?

Pachislot has a feature called setting, which adjusts the ease of hitting the jackpot in six stages.

There are settings 1 to 6, with 1 being the worst and 6 being the best.

Setting 6 makes it very easy to hit the jackpot, and playing is very enjoyable.

If you’re lucky enough to sit at setting 6, you can play almost stress-free and expect a good payout.

The store can set it freely, so on specific days (like days with a 7, event days), customers line up expecting setting 6 to be available.

That’s why winning at Pachislot is easy: play settings 5 and 6! That’s all.

See, it’s very simple yet difficult, right?

There are tools for Juggler too.

ジャグラーAタイプパチスロ期待値勝利理論|Aメソッド

ジャグラー設定判別アプリの決定版！ぶどう逆算やカウントも！ジャグラーアプリな...

https://pachislot.win/juggler-and-pachislot-setting-tool/

ジャグラー設定判別アプリの決定版！カウントもしながらすぐ設定判別できる。機種ごとのシミュレーションにもすぐアクセス。ジャグラーならこれ1つでOKな設定判別ツールの紹介！ こんな方...

To spot high settings, you need to know the characteristics of the machine and be able to do simple division.

The threshold is high, but there are tools that do it automatically for you.

My recommendation is the “Juggler Setting Discrimination + A Method” I created.

It’s free to use on both iOS and Android, and it supports English, so please give it a try.

Reference Video Introduction

This is a video of a TV program introducing Pachislot culture in Japan 30 years ago.

Please try to get a sense of how retro now but cutting-edge play was then, and how it has been passed down from then to the present.