Plinko: How to Play, Where to Find, and Why You'll Love It
Plinko: The Game of Chance and Chaos
If you are a fan of game shows, you have probably heard of or seen Plinko, the most popular and exciting game on The Price Is Right. Plinko is a game where you drop round, flat disks, called Plinko chips, down a pegboard and watch them bounce around until they land in one of the slots at the bottom, each with a different cash value. Plinko is a game that combines luck, skill, and strategy, as well as chaos theory and physics. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Plinko, from its origin and history, to its rules and mechanics, to its strategies and tips, to its variations and online versions. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will find something interesting and useful in this comprehensive guide to Plinko.
What is Plinko and how to play it?
Plinko is a game that was created by Frank Wayne, an executive producer on The Price Is Right, in 1983. It is based on the Japanese game of pachinko, which is similar to a vertical pinball machine. Plinko has been a staple on The Price Is Right ever since its debut, and has been featured on other game shows as well. It is widely considered to be the most famous and beloved of all the pricing games on the show.
plinko
The origin and history of Plinko
Plinko was inspired by the Japanese game of pachinko, which is a type of mechanical arcade game that involves dropping metal balls into a vertical board filled with pins, nails, or pegs. The balls bounce around randomly until they fall into one of the pockets at the bottom, each with a different score or prize. Pachinko originated in Japan in the 1920s as a children's toy, but later became a popular form of gambling for adults. Pachinko parlors are still very common in Japan today, where they are regulated by the government.
Frank Wayne, who was an executive producer on The Price Is Right from 1972 to 1988, came up with the idea of adapting pachinko into a pricing game for the show. He designed the first prototype of the Plinko board in his garage, using nails and rubber bands. He named the game Plinko after the sound that the chips make as they hit the pegs on the board. He pitched the idea to Mark Goodson, the creator and producer of The Price Is Right, who liked it and approved it for production.
Plinko premiered on January 3, 1983, on an episode hosted by Bob Barker. The first contestant to play Plinko was Teresa Morales, who won $11,000 out of a possible $25,000. Since then, Plinko has been played over 500 times on The Price Is Right, with various changes and improvements made to the board, the chips, and the prizes over the years. The current maximum prize for Plinko is $50,000, which was introduced in 2008.
The rules and mechanics of Plinko
The rules and mechanics of Plinko are fairly simple. To play Plinko, you need a Plinko board, which is a large vertical board with rows of pegs arranged in a triangular pattern. At the top of the board are nine entry slots where you can drop your chips. At the bottom of the board are nine prize slots marked with different cash values, ranging from $0 to $10,000. You also need Plinko chips, which are round, flat disks that you can drop down the board.
To start the game, you are given one free Plinko chip and a chance to earn up to four more by playing small pricing games. Each pricing game involves a small prize and a two-digit price with one digit missing. You have to guess the correct missing digit to win the prize and an extra Plinko chip. If you guess wrong, you lose the prize and the chip.
After you have earned your chips, you can drop them one by one from any of the nine entry slots at the top of the board. The chips will bounce around randomly as they hit the pegs on the board, until they land in one of the prize slots at the bottom. The cash value of the slot where your chip lands is added to your total winnings. You can drop all of your chips in any order and from any slot you want. The goal is to land your chips in the highest-paying slots, especially the $10,000 slot in the center.
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The prizes and payouts of Plinko
The prizes and payouts of Plinko vary depending on the version and edition of the game. The original Plinko board had nine prize slots with values of $0, $100, $500, $0, $1,000, $0, $500, $100, and $0, from left to right. The maximum prize for Plinko was $25,000, which could be won by landing all five chips in the $5,000 slot (which was later changed to $1,000).
In 2008, the Plinko board was updated with new prize slots with values of $100, $500, $1,000, $0, $10,000, $0, $1,000, $500, and $100, from left to right. The maximum prize for Plinko was increased to $50,000, which could be won by landing all five chips in the $10,000 slot. This is the current version of Plinko that is used on The Price Is Right today.
Over the years, there have been some special editions and variations of Plinko that offered different prizes and payouts. For example, in 2013, there was a special episode of The Price Is Right that celebrated the 30th anniversary of Plinko. The prize slots were increased to values of $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $0, $20,000, $0, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000, from left to right. The maximum prize for Plinko was increased to $100,000, which could be won by landing all five chips in the $20,000 slot. This was the highest prize ever offered for Plinko on The Price Is Right.
Another example is the Big Bucks Week that was held in 2017 and 2018, where the prize slots were increased to values of $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $0, $20,000, $0, $10,000, $2,500, and $1,000, from left to right. The maximum prize for Plinko was increased to $200,000, which could be won by landing all five chips in the $40,000 slot (which was temporarily replaced by the $20,000 slot). This was the highest prize ever offered for any pricing game on The Price Is Right.
What are some strategies and tips to win Plinko?
Plinko is a game that involves both luck and skill. While you cannot control how the chips will bounce on the board, you can influence your chances of winning by choosing the right entry slot and the right risk level. Here are some strategies and tips to help you win Plinko.
The math and probability behind Plinko
Plinko is a game that can be analyzed using math and probability. The Plinko board can be modeled as a binomial distribution or a Galton board. A binomial distribution is a probability distribution that describes the outcome of a series of independent trials with two possible outcomes: success or failure. A Galton board is a device that demonstrates the binomial distribution by dropping balls through a triangular array of pins and collecting them in bins at the bottom.
Using these models, we can calculate the expected value and the standard deviation of each entry slot and each prize slot on the Plinko board. The expected value is the average amount of money you can expect to win from a given slot over many trials. The standard deviation is a measure of how much the actual outcome can vary from the expected value. A higher standard deviation means a higher risk and a higher reward.
The table below shows the expected value and the standard deviation of each entry slot and each prize slot on the current version of Plinko (with values of $100, $500, $1,000, $0, $10,000, $0, $1,000, $500, and $100, from left to right). The table is based on the calculations done by [this website].
Entry Slot
Expected Value
Standard Deviation
1
$3,125.00
$4,330.13
2
$3,125.00
$4,330.13
3
$2,343.75
$3,594.11
4
$1,562.50
$2,857.09
5
$3,906.25
$5,103.15
6
$1,562.50
$2,857.09
7
$2,343.75
$3,594.11
8
$3,125.00
$4,330.139
9
$3,125.00
$4,330.13
Prize Slot
Expected Value
Standard Deviation
$100
$100.00
$0.00
$500
$500.00
$0.00
$1,000
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0
$0.00
$0.00
$10,000
$10,000.00
$0.00
$0
$0.00
$0.00
$1,000
$1,000.00
$0.00
$500
$500.00
$0.00
$100
$100.00
$0.00
As you can see from the table, the entry slots 1, 2, 8, and 9 have the highest expected value and the highest standard deviation, meaning they have the highest potential reward but also the highest risk. The entry slot 5 has the second highest expected value and the highest standard deviation, meaning it has a good chance of landing in the $10,000 slot but also a high chance of landing in the $0 slot. The entry slots 3 and 7 have the lowest expected value and the lowest standard deviation, meaning they have the lowest potential reward but also the lowest risk. The entry slots 4 and 6 have a moderate expected value and a moderate standard deviation, meaning they have a balanced risk-reward ratio.
The prize slots $100, $500, $1,000, and $10,000 have a fixed expected value and a zero standard deviation, meaning they always pay out the same amount regardless of where you drop your chip. The prize slots $0 have a zero expected value and a zero standard deviation, meaning they always pay out nothing regardless of where you drop your chip.
The best and worst slots to drop your chips
Based on the math and probability behind Plinko, we can determine the best and worst slots to drop your chips depending on your risk appetite and your desired outcome. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
If you want to maximize your winnings and you are willing to take high risks, you should drop your chips from the entry slots 1, 2, 8, or 9. These slots have the highest chance of landing in the $10,000 slot, but also a high chance of landing in the $0 slot.
If you want to minimize your losses and you are not willing to take high risks, you should drop your chips from the entry slots 3 or 7. These slots have the lowest chance of landing in the $0 slot, but also a low chance of landing in the $10,000 slot.
If you want to balance your winnings and losses and you are comfortable with moderate risks, you should drop your chips from the entry slots 4 or 6. These slots have a fair chance of landing in any of the prize slots, with no extreme outcomes.
If you want to gamble on hitting the jackpot and you are feeling lucky, you should drop your chips from the entry slot 5. This slot has the best chance of landing in the $10,000 slot, but also the worst chance of landing in the $0 slot.
You should avoid dropping your chips from the entry slots that are directly above the $0 slots, which are 4 and 6. These slots have the highest chance of landing in the $0 slot, and no chance of landing in the $10,000 slot.
The advantages and disadvantages of different risk levels
As you can see, Plinko is a game that involves different levels of risk and reward. Depending on your personality and preference, you may choose to play Plinko in a conservative, aggressive, or balanced way. Each way has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as its own expected outcomes. Here are some pros and cons of each risk level:
Conservative: If you play Plinko in a conservative way, you will drop your chips from the entry slots 3 or 7, which have the lowest risk and the lowest reward. The advantage of this strategy is that you will minimize your chances of losing money and getting zero. The disadvantage of this strategy is that you will also minimize your chances of winning big and getting $10,000. Your expected outcome is to win a small or moderate amount of money, with little variation.
Aggressive: If you play Plinko in an aggressive way, you will drop your chips from the entry slots 1, 2, 8, or 9, which have the highest risk and the highest reward. The advantage of this strategy is that you will maximize your chances of winning big and getting $10,000. The disadvantage of this strategy is that you will also maximize your chances of losing money and getting zero. Your expected outcome is to win a large or very large amount of money, with a lot of variation.
Balanced: If you play Plinko in a balanced way, you will drop your chips from the entry slots 4 or 6, which have a moderate risk and a moderate reward. The advantage of this strategy is that you will have a fair chance of winning any amount of money, with no extreme outcomes. The disadvantage of this strategy is that you will also have a fair chance of losing any amount of money, with no extreme outcomes. Your expected outcome is to win an average amount of money, with some variation.
Lucky: If you play Plinko in a lucky way, you will drop your chips from the entry slot 5, which has the best chance of landing in the $10,000 slot but also the worst chance of landing in the $0 slot. The advantage of this strategy is that you will have a high chance of hitting the jackpot and winning $10,000. The disadvantage of this strategy is that you will also have a high chance of getting nothing and losing $0. Your expected outcome is to win a very large or very small amount of money, with a lot of variation.
What are some variations and online versions of Plinko?
Plinko is a game that has many variations and online versions that you can play for fun or for real money. Some of these variations and online versions are based on the original Plinko game from The Price Is Right, while others are inspired by Plinko but have different rules and features. Here are some examples of variations and online versions of Plinko that you can try out:
The different types of Plinko boards and games
There are many different types of Plinko boards and games that have different designs, sizes, shapes, colors, themes, pegs, slots, prizes, and features. Some of these types are:
Classic Plinko: This is the original and most common type of Plinko board and game that is used on The Price Is Right. It has a rectangular board with nine entry slots and nine prize slots, with values ranging from $0 to $10,000. It has a simple and elegant design, with a blue background and white pegs.
Giant Plinko: This is a larger and more impressive type of Plinko board and game that is sometimes used on special occasions on The Price Is Right. It has a square board with 16 entry slots and 16 prize slots, with values ranging from $0 to $20,000. It has a colorful and flashy design, with a red background and yellow pegs.
Mini Plinko: This is a smaller and more portable type of Plinko board and game that is sometimes used as a promotional item or a party game. It has a triangular board with six entry slots and six prize slots, with values ranging from $0 to $1,000. It has a cute and fun design, with a green background and pink pegs.
Custom Plinko: This is a type of Plinko board and game that can be customized according to your preferences and needs. You can choose the size, shape, color, theme, pegs, slots, prizes, and features of your Plinko board and game. You can also add your own logo, name, message, or image to your Plinko board and game. You can order custom Plinko boards and games from various online vendors or make your own DIY Plinko board and game.
The online casinos and websites that offer Plinko
There are many online casinos and websites that offer Plinko as one of their games that you can play for fun or for real money. Some of these online casinos and websites are:
[Stake]: This is an online casino that offers various games, including Plinko. You can play Plinko with different cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Ripple, Tron, and more. You can also choose from different risk levels and payouts for Plinko.
[BC.Game]: This is an online casino that offers various games, including Plinko. You can play Plinko with different cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and more. You can also choose from different themes and backgrounds for Plinko.
[Plinko Master]: This is an online website that offers Plinko as a free game that you can play for fun. You can earn coins and tokens by playing Plinko and use them to redeem various rewards, such as gift cards, cash, or cryptocurrencies. You can also customize your Plinko board and game with different colors and sounds.
[Plinko.net]: This is an online website that offers Plinko as a free game that you can play for fun. You can play Plinko with different currencies, such as US dollars, euros, pounds, or bitcoins. You can also choose from different difficulty levels and payouts for Plinko.
The benefits and drawbacks of playing Plinko online
Playing Plinko online can be a fun and convenient way to enjoy the game without having to go to a physical casino or a game show. However, playing Plinko online also has some benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some pros and cons of playing Plinko online:
Pros: Playing Plinko online can be more accessible, affordable, flexible, and diverse than playing Plinko in person. You can play Plinko online anytime and anywhere you want, as long as you have an internet connection and a device. You can also play Plinko online with different currencies, themes, features, and options that suit your preferences and budget. You can also play Plinko online for free or for real money, depending on your choice.
Cons: Playing Plinko online can be less authentic, exciting, secure, and fair than playing Plinko in person. You may miss the thrill and atmosphere of playing Plinko on a real board with real chips and real prizes. You may also encounter some technical issues, such as lagging, crashing, or hacking, that may affect your gaming experience. You may also face some legal or ethical issues, such as gambling regulations, frauds, or scams, that