1. What the Plinko Game Actually Is
Plinko started in 1983 on the American game show The Price is Right. Viewers and contestants would drop a disc from the top of a peg board. The disc would bounce off the pegs and eventually land in one of the prize slots.
In the casino, the idea of plinko is the same. When playing, players drop a ball from the top of the plinko game's peg grid. When it hits a peg, it will either go left or right into the next peg - decided by a random number generator (RNG) - until it reaches a prize bucket at the bottom of the game.
Before dropping the ball, players can select the risk level for their game. Choosing a low risk level will cause the ball to drop into buckets with smaller multipliers. High risk, however, will place the prizes with higher multipliers towards the outer edges of the grid.
Key fact
Plinko is a standalone game - it is not a pokie. There are no winning combinations, no reels, and no bonus rounds for the game. Each game is independent of the other. One game will not affect the outcome of the next game.
2. How the RNG Ball Works
At each peg within the game's grid, the RNG will decide whether the ball will go left or right. The chance of the ball going either direction is 50/50 at each peg. The ball has no memory of the path it took before.
The ball will hit 12 pegs in total within the grid. The total number of possible outcomes for the ball to reach the end of the grid is 2 to the power of 12, or 4,096 possible outcomes.
Across all possible outcomes, the ball most often lands in the centre prize buckets. The outer prize buckets are less likely to be hit by the ball. The prize multipliers for the outer prizes are higher, but the chance of hitting them is far less.
Important
All plinko games use a random number generator to ensure fair play. The outcome of the game is not influenced by the player's bet size or the time of day that the player plays the game. Some cryptocurrency casinos also feature provably fair games so that players can verify the fairness of the game.
3. Who Makes the Plinko Game in Australia
Several software providers make plinko games that are available at casinos that accept Australian players.
BGaming
The most widely available plinko provider. Found at SlotsPalace, Neon54, ZetCasino, Bizzo, HellSpin, National Casino, and Wild Fortune. RTP: 99% at max rows on some versions.
Hacksaw Gaming
High-volatility plinko with a clean interface. Available at Bizzo Casino and HellSpin. Popular for big-multiplier drops on high-risk mode.
SmartSoft
Makes PlinkoX, a plinko-crash hybrid. Available at WooCasino and CasinoChan. Same SmartSoft engine behind JetX.
Spribe
Known for Aviator but also offers a plinko variant at select casinos. Strong provably fair credentials.
BGaming is the most common software provider for plinko at Australian casinos. If the casino features BGaming as one of their gaming providers, then they will have plinko as one of their games.
4. Plinko Game RTP - What the Numbers Mean
The RTP for plinko games is the percentage of all money that will be paid back to players. A 97% RTP means that for every $100 that is wagered by all players in the casino, $97 will be paid back to players. The casino receives $3. This is an expected theoretical return over time.
The RTP will vary with each software provider. It will also vary according to the number of rows that a player chooses for their game.
| Provider | Game | RTP Range | Rows Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| BGaming | Plinko | 97% - 99% | 8 - 16 rows |
| Hacksaw Gaming | Plinko (Hacksaw) | 96% - 97% | 8 - 16 rows |
| SmartSoft | PlinkoX | 97% | Crash hybrid |
| Spribe | Plinko | 97% | 8 - 12 rows |
BGaming's plinko game offers a 99% RTP if the player chooses the maximum rows and high risk settings. This makes it one of the highest RTP values for casino games. Most pokie games offer an RTP of around 96%.
5. Bet Sizes and Risk Levels in the Plinko Game
There are three variables that can be adjusted for each game of plinko. These include the player's bet amount, the risk level, and the number of rows.
- Low risk: Many small multipliers spread across all buckets. Centre buckets pay around 0.5x. Outer buckets pay up to 10x - 16x. Steady but slow.
- Medium risk: Centre multipliers shrink to 0.3x. Outer multipliers rise to around 100x - 170x. More variance, better upside.
- High risk: Centre buckets pay 0.2x or less. Outer buckets can pay 1,000x or more on a 16-row board. Long streaks of near-zero returns with rare large wins.
The minimum amount for each bet is $0.10. This is the case for the majority of casinos. Maximum bets can go as high as $500 per drop at most casinos.
AU punter tip
If you are dropping your bonus balance into plinko, make sure to read the T&C before you play. Most casinos limit bonus games to a maximum of $5 per round. Dropping $20 into plinko while having a bonus will void your bonus.
Play Responsibly
Dropping money into plinko can get addictive as the game runs at such a rapid rate for players. Make sure to set a budget for your playing session and do not go over it. Gambling should be for entertainment only - not for the chance to win money.
For Australian players who would like to receive assistance while playing plinko, support is available 24 hours a day via Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. Only for players who are 18 years of age or older.
Lachie Doyle is the man behind PlinkoPulse and a casino reviewer based in Brisbane. He tests every casino with real Australian dollars. While on FIFO assignments to the Pilbara, he stumbled upon plinko and crash games and started PlinkoPulse to give Australians an honest review of both. Read his full profile.