Plinko was a part of an iconic TV game show in the United States, but it has come so far from being just a mini game. The game is easy to learn that even first-timers in the arcade or online casino can easily enjoy it.
History
Plinko is considered the most famous mini game in the TV game show ‘The Price is Right’. It was created by producer Frank Wayne and was first introduced in January 1983. Its bonus round pays out cash prizes ranging from $100 up to $50,000. Because of the huge jackpot prize, Plinko became a favourite.
What’s more memorable about the game are the improvements made to the board following some TV blunders. For example, the Plinko board was originally open and the chip used in the game can sometimes bounce off the board and onto the stage.
CBS affiliates and gaming giants also used Plinko to promote the American game show Plinko is featured in. However, there was a controversy because the fishing line attached to the board that was used to guide the chip into the jackpot slot wasn’t removed when an episode of The Price Right aired. Fortunately for the contestant, she was allowed to keep her winnings.
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Online casino providers have also created digital versions of Plinko with brands such as Spribe and BGaming. Regulations prevent these providers from rigging such games. With this, online casino bettors can also try their luck in Plinko’s fun play mode.
How Plinko is played
In The Price is Right, Plinko is played on a large board where the contestant is supposed to drop chips. The contestant will climb a set of stairs and drop one chip in hopes of landing it at the jackpot slot at the central bottom part of the board.
What makes this game unpredictable is the presence of pegs that bounce the chip while it descends. The pegs are arranged in a zigzag pattern to allow the chip to finally land at the centre.
If a chip gets stuck on the board, it must be dislodged. If it is beyond arm’s length, a stick is used to get the chip to move again. Back when Bob Barker was the host, he would return the chip to the contestant and have it dropped again with the first drop not counted. Other hosts would count the chip once it gets dislodged and falls into a prized slot.
Online casino providers, meanwhile, randomise the bouncing pattern of the ball as it falls to a specific slot. Instead of instant cash prizes, multipliers can be seen at the bottom part of the board. There are betting limits to each Plinko online casino game, so choose the one that suits your budget.
Tips to enjoy a Plinko game
- If you are new to online casino gaming, it is best to choose the low-risk versions of Plinko.
- Avoid boards that have too many pegs as it will take a long time for the ball to drop, making the game even more unpredictable.
- Some online Plinko games have a variance that works in your favour after just a few drops. So, set your budget just enough to survive low-paying rounds.
The Price is Right is the American game show Plinko first appeared that continues to entertain and reward lucky members of the public decades after it was shown. Today, the Plinko bonus rounds have evolved into an equally rewarding game that anyone can play. This is one of the reasons why it is still one of the most popular casino games.
