Read any Japanese pachislot magazine, or the comments under a pachislot video, and you’ll see 設定 (settei, “setting”) everywhere. It’s one of the most talked-about and most misunderstood ideas in pachislot. Here’s what it actually is, with numbers from a maker’s official spec sheet.
What a setting is
Most pachislot machines have an internal setting from 1 to 6, chosen by the parlour. The setting changes the probabilities inside the machine, and with them the long-run payout rate (機械割 or 出率). That’s the theoretical percentage of medals returned for medals played, measured over a very large number of games.
A real example: My Juggler V
Kitadenshi, the maker of the Juggler series, publishes this table for My Juggler V (Kitadenshi official):
| Setting | BIG bonus | REG bonus | Combined | Payout rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/273.1 | 1/409.6 | 1/163.8 | 97.0% |
| 2 | 1/270.8 | 1/385.5 | 1/159.1 | 98.0% |
| 3 | 1/266.4 | 1/336.1 | 1/148.6 | 99.9% |
| 4 | 1/254.0 | 1/290.0 | 1/135.4 | 102.8% |
| 5 | 1/240.1 | 1/268.6 | 1/126.8 | 105.3% |
| 6 | 1/229.1 | 1/229.1 | 1/114.6 | 109.4% |
Kitadenshi notes that these are projected values calculated from factory data.
How to read it: at setting 1, the design returns about 97 medals for every 100 played over the very long run. Above 100% means the long-run design favours the player on that machine. The parlour decides how many machines run at each setting, and manages its floor as a whole. A payout rate tells you nothing certain about your next hour. Short sessions swing wildly in both directions.
Why parlours can’t tell you the setting
In June 2011 the National Police Agency (NPA) told the industry how it would apply the advertising rules. Greenbelt, an industry outlet, reported the notice on 24 June 2011. The listed prohibited displays include (Greenbelt, Japanese):
- displays that hint at the setting status of machines whose jackpot probability can be changed, including code words;
- displays suggesting machines have been adjusted to make wins easier;
- displays suggesting it’s easy to win a large number of balls or medals.
Japanese Wikipedia adds that strict enforcement from August 2011 ended openly advertised “event days” (ja.wikipedia, secondary source). TODO: link the NPA’s own notice text.
More broadly, the law bans machines that “may significantly stimulate the desire of customers to gamble” and regulates parlour advertising (PIWR).
So if you see an English blog claiming “this hall has setting 6 on Saturdays”, treat it as rumour. Parlours aren’t allowed to say so.
“Setting hints” on screen
Modern machines often include setting hints (設定示唆): a special voice line, character or screen at the end of a bonus. They’re designed as entertainment and talking points. We treat them like a fortune cookie, fun but not a reason to stay or to spend more.
Settings vs pachinko odds
| Pachislot | Pachinko | |
|---|---|---|
| Probability shown on the machine? | Usually not for your machine’s setting | Yes: jackpot odds on the spec panel (machine types) |
| Parlour adjustment | Setting 1–6 | Traditionally the nail adjustment, which affects how many balls reach the start pocket. TODO: source this. Some newer pachinko models also have settings |
| What it changes | Bonus and AT probabilities, payout rate | How often you get a spin, and on settings-equipped models the odds |
Related reading
- A-type, AT and ART explained
- Ceilings (天井) explained
- How to read the data counter, and why it can’t tell you the setting
- Is pachinko gambling?
Quick answers
What is a pachislot setting?
A setting (設定, settei) is an internal level, usually 1 to 6, that the parlour chooses for each pachislot machine. It changes the machine's probabilities and its long-run payout rate. Players can't see it.
Can I find out what setting a machine is on?
Not reliably. Halls aren't allowed to advertise or hint at settings, and the machine doesn't display it. Some machines show 'hints', but those are entertainment features, not a dependable guide. We don't recommend trying to read settings.
Does pachinko have settings too?
Most pachinko machines don't use the 1–6 setting system the way pachislot does. Pachinko odds are shown on the machine (for example about 1/319). Some newer pachinko models have settings, so check the machine's spec.
Is a higher setting guaranteed to win?
No. A payout rate is a long-run theoretical figure across a huge number of games. Any single session can go either way, and you can lose money on any setting.
Sources
- Kitadenshi – My Juggler V official probability and payout table
- Greenbelt – NPA notice on parlour advertising (22 Jun 2011; Japanese)
- Pachinko Industry Web Reference – pachinko and the law
- ja.wikipedia – パチスロ (2011 enforcement; secondary source)
Facts on this page were last checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. Rules, prices and venues change, so always follow the signs and staff at the venue.
