These days pachinko and pachislo is really a gamble and all are controlled by random number generators. Some machines are programmed to hit more, some less, and some not at all whereas in the past it was all based on the pin openings and the speed of the balls. Sadly, the fun and strategy of the "old" days has been taken out of the game.
However, that does not mean you cannot win and maybe win everyday as I have done just that in my yearly visits to Japan. The key point these days is KNOWING when to quit. I have discovered recently that although machines are never closed, once you have hit about 3 or 4 jackpots in a short period it is best to quit and go home or try another machine. It cost me alot in winnings and out of my own pocket these past few years to figure that out.
However, it is my experience these past few visits/years that a majority of the machines will eventually hit at least 2-3 jackpots a day in a short period. The key is being at the right machine at the right time and having the guts to take your winnings and leave. Not easy to do when you think another win is right around the corner with all the teases (
reachi) they give you. A
reachi is when a machine gives you 2 of 3 numbers. And
reachi's these days come far too often. My strategy is, if I go after noontime, to play a machine where no one has won yet and has more than 150-200 spins. (The digital counters above each machine will tell you how many spins a machine has. They will also tell you the number of jackpots every day for the past week.) If I go early in the morning it is pure chance.
Still, IMO one can easily profit, in the long run, about 10,000 yen/day if they play smart. The problem is that you always think your winning streak will last and it almost never does. I myself have hit 3 or 4 jackpots in a short period on a machine only to lose it all back and then some in a matter of hours. Sure there are those few machines (and all places have at least a few everyday) that will spit out 14-20 Jackpots in one day, but those machines are only bait making one think that all machines are like that. NOT!
As Hachiro said:
The thing I always do is only take an amount of money that I feel like losing.
as until you get the hang of it it will cost more than a few bucks and it is also very addicting. If you're going to play these days, play smart. I spent enough learning that these past few visits. Good luck.