voltage question , Dumb one...

[jh-ss44]

Another dumb voltage question. not electrically inclined ! after reading a bit of electricity, I read that 110 volt items could be used in japan, but that motors driven items run a bit slower on the 100 volt & as an example a plug in clock would loss roughly 4 minutes of time a day, due to the lower voltage = O.K.
So would the reels on these pachislos run a little faster on our 110 ?? they are motor driven of sorts .
every one mentions "eye shooting" to stop the reels... I personally can't tell dittily when looking at them. just thought they might be running "1/20" a second faster ; just enough to be a blur to me.
jeff h.

[SteveFury]

The reason some clocks run slower in japan is due to the frequency, not voltage of the line. Eastern Japan uses 50hz and 60hz in Western Japan. (So I've read). Older electromechanical clocks ran on synchronous motors where the speed is governed by frequency not voltage. Your own outlet voltage can vary by quite a bit, which could effect the speed of other types of motors if they were used in clocks. But the U.S. uses a standard frequency of 60HZ which does not fluctuate, the result is very accurate electromechanical clocks.

The motors used in pachislo are stepper motors. They will not spin like other motors will if voltage is applied. An electronic (computer) processor controls a number of coils in a stepper motor to turn them a very specific degree or (step). The humming you hear as they spin are the different coils being activated by the processor and the movement they cause. Slightly more or less voltage won't make any difference at all.

Voltage will not effect the function of a pachislo because the outlet power is converted to a safe level of 24volts by use of a transformer. The frequency of the power will not matter either, because that 24 volts is further processed. Here in the U.S. we use 120 volts so the transformer will change the 120 volts to 24 so the pachislo can use it. Some other countries use 240 volts so they would use a transformer that changes 240 volts to 24.

Personally I think eye shooting the reels is pointless because the pachislo will likely stop the reels where the processor tells it to independently of when the button is pressed. Remember the stepping motor? I believe the processor will see the moment you press the stop button, and continue to step the motor until it stops the reel in the position of it's choosing... not necessarily your choosing.

[candyflip]

Personally I think eye shooting the reels is pointless because the pachislo will likely stop the reels where the processor tells it to independently of when the button is pressed. Remember the stepping motor? I believe the processor will see the moment you press the stop button, and continue to step the motor until it stops the reel in the position of it's choosing... not necessarily your choosing.

The greatest myth in pachislo is that players are stopping the reels where they want them to by timing or anything else.

A computer controls this, fact, just as stated above. The odds are set and the outcome is fixed, just as it is in modern electronic pachinko machines.

sorry to ruin any dreams, but that's life people.

[pachiwall]

Just like in modern American slots, computer controlled...just no illusion of skill stop. Did you know it is illegal to put an antique slot machine in a casino? The government can't audit the motherboard ti asses tax revenue!

[SteveFury]

Gee I'd like to have one of those audit units just for fun!

Some people I know have asked me if the machine is "rigged", if it's completely random or regulated. Some folks (like my family) now see playing it as pointless because it's controlled by the computer and they don't have any interest what so ever to play.

Personally I think that is a sad outlook to have. I understand their attitude, yet there are other things to consider, here are a few. I think the machine probably mimics a random machine pretty closely with payout, and a machine that jackpots too often is less interesting in my opinion- unless it's used for actual gambling and YOU'RE the winner.

Also to consider is how luck plays a part in anything. Really, how different is luck versus a program in this case? It seems to me the end result is the same. Consider the casino or pachislo parlor. With both machine type examples person can sit and dump a quantity of medals or currency and win next to nothing. That person may leave the machine empty handed to try another machine or do something else- and the very next person comes along to that same machine and hits a big jackpot right away. It's the same result. Could Lady Luck really be a program of sort controlled by an unknown??? Hmmm... That's too philosophical for me.

I've learned to keep the idea of a computer controlled output to myself from players because it doesn't add to the fun and experience of it.
I've found that people generally take it the wrong way. I find that using the stop buttons is a lot of fun because of the interaction. It's also interesting the clever ways people operate the buttons trying to find ways to beat the machine- especially teenagers at parties trying to win a nice door prize. It's amazing the different techniques they try.

[candyflip]

Steve - you are so on the money.

Pachislo (and pachinko) continue to be HUGELY popular in Japan and elsewhere. Many (if not most) players already know they are playing 'against the house', so to speak. Just like at any casino on the planet. Does that stop them?

No - these games are fun, regardless of their automation and inevitable outcomes (over time). Refusing to play based on the fact the game has odds that are predetermined is a choice - but in most cases, not a smart one if you are with a group of people and looking to have some fun.

[jh-ss44]

Thank you gentlemen for your responses ! I assumed most of it was controlled, not necessarily all of it. does make sense.
now I find it very interesting that the Japanese government is o.k. with the machines , since gambling is against the law & how, many states here in the U.S. say they are o.k. ,Based on the idea that there's some actual player interaction to win.
Some states do draw a line in the sand stating vegas one armed bandits = no, but pachislos = o.k. does not seem to be any real difference. putting an auto stop on these in some states , big no no.
I still like playing with mine, still fun. beats going to the Indian reservation here & losing real money.
thanks again !!! as I say, "I learn something new every day... even if I did not want to. "
jeff