Plinko is a classic casino game of chance. In this game, players drop a ball in a multi-row pin pyramid. The ball bounces randomly between the pins until it reaches a destination at the bottom of the pyramid. The location of the ball determines the payout of the round.
Plinko has become quite a popular option amongst online gamblers. However, the game has not always been a casino classic. With its origin in a game show, it has been adopted and developed into a classic casino title for both online platforms and land-based gambling establishments.
History of Plinko Board
In the early 1980s, executive producer Frank Wayne introduced the first-ever Plinko experience as a game in his TV show, ‘The Price is Right.’ However, the origin and inspiration behind the games go farther back to the early 20th century. The game was inspired by the Japanese mechanical game Pachinko. Unlike the last, where players can try to navigate the balls through a maze of pins to a designated prize, Plinko is simply based on luck.
It is the Western version of pachinko. With its unpredictable nature and game mechanics, it became quite popular after the game show, thus piquing the interest of casinos. The casinos replicated the Plinko board to satisfy players who were already interested in the game from their experience with the TV show. From this transition, it became a member of casino games.
The Birth of Digital Plinko
With the advancement of technology and the introduction of the internet, casinos and their games became online activities. In the mid-1990s, the first set of online casinos was introduced alongside some games.
Amongst these online casino games that were first introduced with online casinos is Plinko. The evolution of casino gambling from land-based houses to virtual websites has brought about the evolution of classic gambling titles, including Plinko.
The software-developing companies responsible for the migration of land-based casino games into online casinos made sure to develop Plinko titles for online players. The Plinko boards were replicated with software, and some features were added to make them accessible online. These Plinko games can be found under the provably fair games section of the online casino.
Influence of Technology in the Evolution of Plinko
Technology is the most significant factor that affects the evolution of every man-made creation. The use of advanced technology allows companies to develop advanced games with modern features to suit modern civilization. The influence of technology on Plinko includes:
- Random number generators (RNGs). These are software that uses algorithms to help generate random results for online games. The software is commonly used in provably fair games. In Plinko, RNG ensures that the result of every drop is random, thus maintaining the fairness and unpredictability of the game.
- Improved gaming experience. Technology has improved the quality of Plinko games. With excellent graphics, real-time simulations, and attractive animations, technology helps to create a more impressive visual and fascinating gaming experience. That’s why the experience of playing online casino games at platforms such as Hit‘N’Spin is always memorable.
- Integration of virtual reality and augmented reality. Virtual reality is one of the creations of technology that has helped to revolutionize gaming. Similarly, with Plinko, players can now enjoy 3D graphics and almost life interactions with the game despite being an online game, all thanks to technology.
Differences Between Physical and Digital Plinko Boards
Although similar, the physical and digital Plinko have specific features that make them unique. These unique features attract specific players based on their preferences. Some of the differences between the physical and digital Plinko are as follows:
- Comfortability. Physical Plinko boards are hardware machines that can be found in land-based casinos. Players who prefer this type of game must visit a casino, leaving the comfort of their homes. The digital Plinko is a software machine that can be found on online gambling platforms. Players can access this type of game from their own comfort.
- Transparency. This is a necessary factor to consider when playing any casino title. The digital Plinko makes use of a random number generator, which ensures the results of the game are not fixed and can not be manipulated. However, the physical version is a machine that is prone to malfunction. The machine can be tampered with, making it a less transparent option.
- Ease of use. The usage of physical Plinko boards could be stressful. From transporting it to a casino to locating it amongst other slot machines and processing your winnings. However, with the digital version, all these can be done easily without any stress at all. The processes from finding a platform to playing and withdrawing can be done easily with the use of a mobile device.
- Demo mode. Demo mode is available for the digital version to develop tactics or winning strategies. The demo mode is a free-play mode where players can play unlimited Plinko games without having to stake. For the physical version, players have to use their money to develop tactics while playing the game.
Mechanics of the Modern-Day Plinko
The gameplay of the Plinko has always been straightforward. Then, players would stand at the top of a large vertical board and toss a ball down the system of pegs. While the players anticipate the outcome of the toss, the ball moves from peg to peg before landing at the bottom of the board. In this bottom area, monetary rewards are attached. The players become recipients of the prize corresponding to the position of the ball. That said, the modern version mirrors the classic. However, there is a slight difference, as the digital Plinko is made of graphics and sound effects.
