Glossary
This glossary explains recurring Japanese pachislot terms used throughout the machine pages. When a technical term first appears on a machine page, it can link directly to the matching definition here.
Machine Systems
Pachislot (パチスロ)
Japanese reel-based gaming machines found in pachinko halls. Many use player-controlled reel stops, internal states, settings, bonuses and AT/ART systems.
Smart Pachislot (スマスロ)
A newer pachislot format that manages medals or credits internally instead of requiring physical medals during normal play.
A-Type (Aタイプ)
A machine type focused mainly on real bonus games rather than AT as the primary payout method.
AT — Assist Time (AT)
A state that supplies reel-stop or navigation assistance and usually serves as the main medal-increase mode on modern AT machines.
Upper AT (上位AT)
A stronger AT route above the machine’s standard AT, often with a higher continuation rate, faster net increase, stronger reward structure or a combination of these. Exact entry conditions are machine-specific.
ART — Assist Replay Time (ART)
A system combining assist navigation with a replay-focused state. ART often works together with real bonuses.
CZ — Chance Zone (チャンスゾーン)
A limited opportunity or challenge that can lead to a bonus, AT, ART or another major state.
ST (ST)
A machine-specific short continuation or payout state that repeatedly gives chances to extend or re-enter rewards. The exact meaning and rules differ by title, so the machine page takes priority over this general definition.
Bonus (ボーナス)
A reward state or bonus game. On A-Type machines this may be a real bonus; on AT machines the word can also be used for AT-linked reward segments.
BIG Bonus / BB (ビッグボーナス)
A larger bonus category commonly abbreviated BB. Exact coin gain and internal treatment depend on the machine.
REG Bonus / RB (レギュラーボーナス)
A smaller regular bonus category commonly abbreviated RB or REG. On many Juggler-type machines its setting difference is especially useful for long-run setting analysis.
Pure / Real Bonus (純ボーナス・リアルボーナス)
A bonus produced by an actual bonus flag rather than being only an AT reward presentation. A-Type and A+ART machines commonly use this type of bonus.
Gameplay
Normal Play (通常時)
The ordinary state outside a major bonus, AT, ART or similar payout mode.
Game Count / G (ゲーム数)
The number of games or spins played. Japanese pachislot data commonly writes this as G, such as 100G or 3000G.
Cycle (周期)
A repeating progression unit used by some machines. Completing a cycle can create a CZ, bonus or AT opportunity, and some machines have a maximum-cycle ceiling.
Penalty (ペナルティ)
A disadvantage or invalidation that can occur after an incorrect stop order or prohibited play procedure on certain machines. Modern machines vary widely, so always follow the machine-specific instructions.
Direct Hit (直撃)
An AT, ART or other major state reached directly from normal play without passing through the machine’s usual intermediate route such as a CZ or bonus.
Settings & Performance
Setting (設定)
An internal configuration selected by the hall, commonly numbered 1 through 6. Settings can change probabilities, payout rate and internal state transitions.
Setting Hint (設定示唆)
An animation, voice, screen, result pattern or other cue that suggests a setting range without necessarily proving a specific setting.
Setting Confirmation (設定確定)
A presentation or condition that, when the machine-specific rule is satisfied, confirms a particular setting or a guaranteed minimum setting.
Payout Rate / Machine Rate (機械割・出率)
A long-run theoretical return percentage associated with a machine and setting under specified assumptions. It does not guarantee an individual session result.
Initial Hit (初当たり)
The first occurrence of a target event such as a bonus, AT, ART or CZ from normal play.
Net Increase (純増)
The approximate average number of medals or coins added per game while a payout mode such as AT is active.
Continuation Rate (継続率)
The probability or design value describing how likely a repeating AT, ST or battle-style state is to continue. It is usually a long-run value rather than a guarantee for each set.
Roles & Symbols
Small Role / Koyaku (小役)
A reel outcome or internal role such as bell, replay, cherry or watermelon. Some pay medals directly; others mainly affect internal lotteries.
Rare Role (レア役)
A less frequent small role that often has stronger influence on CZ entry, bonuses, AT progression or state changes.
Replay (リプレイ)
A result that allows another game without the usual additional credit or medal cost.
Bell (ベル)
A common small role that usually pays medals or is navigated during AT/ART.
Cherry (チェリー)
A common pachislot small-role and symbol family. Some machines use a single cherry category, while others divide it into weak, strong or machine-specific variants; its probability and effect must be read from the individual machine page.
Weak Cherry (弱チェリー)
A lower-strength cherry classification used by many machines. Its probability and effect are machine-specific.
Strong Cherry (強チェリー)
A stronger cherry classification that commonly has more influence on bonuses, CZ, AT or state changes than weak cherry.
Watermelon (スイカ)
A common pachislot symbol and small-role family. Some machines divide it into weak/strong or normal/special variants.
Chance Pattern (チャンス目)
A machine-defined chance role or stop pattern that often influences CZ, bonus, AT or internal-state lotteries.
Reset & States
Ceiling (天井)
A maximum game count, cycle count or similar condition after which a machine grants or strongly advances toward a specified benefit.
Reset / Setting Change (リセット・設定変更)
The machine state after a true setting change or initialization. Reset behavior can change ceilings, modes, cycles or starting conditions.
Zone (ゾーン)
A game-count or progression range where a machine has a stronger chance of entering a CZ, bonus, AT or other opportunity.
Mode (モード)
An internal state that changes probabilities, ceilings, zones, continuation expectations or other behavior. A machine can have several named modes.
High-probability State (高確)
An internal state where a specified lottery is more favorable than in the normal state. Which lottery is improved depends on the machine.
Pullback / Comeback Opportunity (引き戻し)
A period after a bonus or AT ends where the machine retains an elevated chance or special route to return to a major state.
Advantageous Section (有利区間)
A regulated/internal management concept used by many modern pachislot machines. Its practical behavior and relevance vary by generation and title.
Quit Timing (やめどき)
The point at which leaving a machine avoids giving up a known short-term benefit such as a pullback window, remaining points, cycle value or special mode.
Long Freeze (ロングフリーズ)
A rare special event that temporarily freezes normal operation and usually grants a strong machine-specific benefit.