Why this game is not for me.

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍎🥧

We’re getting closer to the middle of October, the weather is getting cooler, and I’ve been interested in trying out new types of casino games. Most recently, I attempted to broaden my online gambling horizons by trying out online plinko for the first time.

That was a bust.

I know that not every online casino game I come across is going to be one I’ll enjoy. I get that, I really do. However, I can admit that I’m still so surprised when I try out a popular game for the first time and the entire experience is so terribly bland. This perfectly describes my experience with Hacksaw Gaming’s Plinko Dare2Win™ game.

Since the long weekend is coming, I’ve decided to keep my post for this week light, easy, and all about online plinko – what it is, how to play, and why I don’t like it.

My – Not So Thrilling – Online Plinko Experience

Never heard of plinko or played it? Before I get into why it’s not my favourite kind of casino game, I’ll give you some background on it.

While there is more than one online plinko game out there. The one I played that I’ll be discussing and referencing below is Plinko Dare2Win™ by Hacksaw Gaming*.

What Is Plinko

Plinko is an instant win gambling game. It features a dotted pyramid grid that ends in a series of multiplier zones. A ball drops from the top of the grid and makes its way down the pegs of the triangle structure until finally falling through one of the multiplier zones at the end.

Sound familiar? Though inspired by Pachinko parlors of Japan, the description of the plinko game above, may be calling to mind “Plinko” from the popular daytime TV game show, the Price Is Right. Created for the show in 1983, Plinko went on to be the most popular pricing game ever on the show. The game gets its name from the “plink”, “plink”, “plink” sound the ball makes as it hits the pegs on the board while it makes its way down.

As for Hacksaw’s online version, the multipliers in the middle of the plinko board are the lowest value. The highest values are at either ends of the pyramid. It’s not possible to control the ball as it falls. Wins are random, although the ball is more likely to fall through the middle of the grid than its right or left side.

Regardless of where the ball lands, a prize is awarded. You’ll be paid out the corresponding multiplier value times your current bet amount (e.g., 0.9 x $1 = $0.90). That said, while a prize is always awarded, this doesn’t mean you’ll win more than your bet back or break even.

Plinko Dare2Win Game Facts

• Software Provider: Hacksaw Gaming
• Game Type: Instant Win
• Volatility: Varies based on the risk level you choose
• Features: Configure, Autoplay
• Max Win: 3,843.3x
• RTP: 98.98%; 98.28%; 97.27%; 96.02%; 94.30%; 92.03%; 88.20%
• Where I played it for real money: PlayOJO*

👩‍💻 Mia’s Note: The reason there are so many different RTPs (return to player percentages) for this game has to do with its varying risk levels/volatility.

How to Play Online Plinko

I don’t think I’ve played a game easier than online plinko. All you do is:

• Load the game
• Pick your bet size
• Choose your risk level and the size of the grid
• Hit the “Bet” button to trigger the ball drop
• Watch the ball move down the grid until it falls through a multiplier space

At the Ontario online casino where I played the game (PlayOJO), you can make a bet as low as $0.10 a ball up to $50 a ball.  I stuck with $0.10 bets mostly. The max I bet was $0.50.      

The risk level options you can choose from are Low, Medium, or High. The number of rows you can select are 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.

The higher your risk level and the more rows in play, the greater the highest multiplier value on the grid and the greater the volatility. For instance:

• Lowest possible risk: 8-row grid | Multiplier value range – 0.9x to 5.6x the bet
• Medium risk: 12-row grid | Multiplier value range – 0.7x to 150.4x the bet
• Highest possible risk: 16-row grid | Multiplier value range – 0.3x to 3843.3x the bet

When you first load the plinko game, the default configuration is Medium Risk with 16 rows and a multiplier value range of 0.7x to 1718.7x the bet.

During my play session, I tried a couple different risk levels, but found I was most comfortable sticking with the default. Not a surprise, since – if you follow my blog – you know I’m not a high-risk/high-volatility type of player.

Plinko Features

To say Hacksaw’s online plinko game has features is a bit of a stretch. The reason being is there are no extra perks that can be triggered like wilds, bonuses, free games, etc.

In fact, right down to its plain colour scheme, basic Atari-like graphics, and Zen-like elevator music, there’s absolutely nothing flashy about this game.

The only “features” it has are:

• Configure – As previously described above, you can choose the number of rows and risk level before every game you play.

• Autoplay – If you’d like to play multiple consecutive games and don’t want to hit the bet button each time, you can select the “auto” table and set:
  • Risk level
  • Number of rows
  • Number of rounds (min 10 – max 1,000)
  • Loss limit (e.g., 5x Bet up to 50x Bet, Customize It, No Limit)      
  • Single win limit (e.g., 10x Bet up to 75x Bet, Customize It, No Limit)   

I didn’t use the auto feature when I played. I was happier sticking to the manual option.

• Bet Multiple Balls – It’s possible to have more than one ball in play on the grid at a time. For me, this made the game slightly more interesting. Just remember that every ball counts as a bet (one bet per ball).

👩‍💻 Mia’s Note: Take care to watch your budget and play responsibly. Due to how quick and easy it is to play this game, and that a prize is awarded every time, it’s amazing how easy it is to spend more than you intended on this game if you’re not mindful of your bankroll.

Where to Play a Plinko Game Demo Online

If plinko is offered at the online casino where you play, there’s a good chance you might be able to demo it free there. If not, you can find plinko demos online in Ontario that you can play risk-free and without needing a VPN.

Examples of demos you can try free online include:

• Plinko Dare2Win™ by Hacksaw Gaming
• Plinko GO by 1X2 Network

👩‍💻 Mia’s Note: Some online casino games have the word “plinko” in the title but are actually online slots (e.g., Relax Gaming’s Pine of Plinko), more like Pachinko machines than the traditional “Price is Right” version. If you’re interested in playing the traditional version of the game, it should consist of a ball that falls down a grid that ends in an instant win prize.  

Why I Personally Don’t Like to Play Online Plinko

First and foremost, I find the gameplay to be utterly boring. Watching a ball “plink”, “plink”, “plink” down a bunch of pegs until it finally hits the bottom is nothing short of watching paint dry for me. Beyond being able to configure the game’s risk level, autoplay, and the option to drop multiple balls at once, there are no extra features, bonus rounds, nothin’.

Secondly, absolutely zero skill or know-how is required to play this game. While one might argue the same could be said for online slots, at least with slot machines there’s something interesting to look at and a chance to trigger different features.  

Thirdly, I find playing plinko online to be a fast way to deplete my bankroll. Although every ball lands in a payout position, it’s a highly volatile game (too volatile for me). More often than not – no matter the risk level – the ball lands in the middle where the lowest payouts are. As such, it was easy for me to fly through my bankroll with very little return and very little fun.

Ultimately, when I play plinko, I feel like I’m throwing away my money. Yes, this is true of most gambling experiences as the odds are in the casino’s favour – we typically lose more than we win. However, the major difference is that – regardless of the outcome – the experience is at least enjoyable for me when it’s a game I actually like playing.

👩‍💻Mia’s Note: To be clear, I don’t think Plinko by Hacksaw Gaming is a bad game or a rigged game. It’s just not something I personally enjoy playing.

Mia’s Final Thoughts – Should You Play Online Plinko?

As I’ve repeatedly stated, I’m not a fan of online plinko. Still, my opinion about whether you should play it is this:

If you’re interested in giving it a try, go for it.

Honestly, who knows, it might be a game you really enjoy. Goodness knows that there are lots of other players out there who enjoy it, and equally lots of other players out there who aren’t wild about the games I like the most. That’s what makes the world wide web of casinos go round.

If you are a fan of online plinko, I think that’s awesome. Personally, thought, I’ll stick with my online slots. 😁

Until next time, good luck, have fun, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mia 👩‍💻

*I’m not affiliated with anyone.

**All links and images in this post are for informational purposes only.