Pachinko First-Visit Cheat Sheet (Printable)

Print this page, or screenshot it, and take it with you. Everything here is explained in more detail in first visit, step by step.

Bring

• Yen banknotes. Dispensers take notes (DMM).
• Passport. You must be 18 or over; halls may ask for ID (MARUHAN).
• This sheet and the staff help card.

Words on the machine

Button names from DMM Pachitown’s English guides (pachinko, pachislot).

Steps: pachinko

1. Pick a free machine. Belongings in the tray or a “reserved” sign mean it’s taken.
2. Insert a note, then press 球貸. On 4-yen, ¥500 gives 125 balls.
3. Turn the handle about a third of the way. Balls entering the start pocket trigger a spin on the screen.
4. If 右打ち appears, turn the handle fully right.
5. Finished? Press 呼出 (call) for staff, or use the counter on the machine. You get a receipt or card.
6. Prize counter: hand it over and choose prizes.
7. Cash out any balance today at the payout machine. It can’t be cashed out later.

Steps: pachislot

1. Insert a note, press 貸出.
2. Bet 3 (MAX BET), pull the lever, press the three stop buttons.
3. When done, count your medals and take the receipt to the prize counter.

All steps summarised from DMM Pachitown’s English guides (pachinko, pachislot).

Manners

• One person, one machine. Playing two at once is prohibited everywhere.
• Don’t share balls or medals with friends unless the hall allows it.
• Never take balls or medals home. They belong to the hall.
• Don’t sit at a machine with belongings on it.

Source: DMM. More: etiquette.

Money facts

• The legal maximum rental is ¥4 per ball / ¥20 per medal, plus tax (e-Gov).
• Cheaper corners make money last longer: 1-yen vs 4-yen.