What is Plinko?
Plinko is the game where a ball drops from the top and bounces between a grid of pegs until it lands in one of the slots at the bottom. Popularized by TV game shows, it is a perfect example of visual chance: you never know where the ball will end up because each bounce shifts its path slightly.
Here we use it as a fun, highly visual way to leave a decision or a prize to luck.
When to use Plinko?
- Picking a result among several slots in a spectacular way.
- Draws and prizes where each slot is a reward.
- Group activities and livestreams with a very visual element of chance.
- Passing the time watching the ball drop and bounce between the pegs.
How does our Plinko work?
As the ball falls, at each row of pegs it is decided at random whether it goes left or right, using the browser’s pseudo-random generator. The sum of all those small bounces determines which slot it lands in, so the result is different every time.
The whole simulation happens in your browser, with nothing sent to a server.
Why does the ball usually land in the center?
If you drop it many times, you'll see the ball ends up in the center slots far more often than at the edges. It's no trick: it's pure statistics. To reach an edge, the ball would have to bounce the same way on almost every row in a row, which is very unlikely; meanwhile, there are countless combinations of bounces (some left, some right) that end up near the center. That pattern is called the normal distribution or "bell curve", and the Plinko board is the physical version of a classic probability experiment: the Galton board. So if what you want is a perfectly even split slot by slot, the wheel or the name draw will serve you better; Plinko shines when you're after excitement and spectacle.
Frequently asked questions
Is where the ball lands decided in advance?
No. Each bounce is decided at random as the ball falls, so the result is unpredictable.
Do all slots have the same probability?
Because of how the ball bounces, the center slots tend to be more likely than the edges, just like real Plinko.
Does it involve money betting?
No. It is a purely recreational game of chance, with no real money involved.
Are results stored?
No. Everything happens in your browser and nothing is sent to our servers.
Can I assign a different prize to each slot?
Yes. A common approach is to mentally assign a reward or a forfeit to each slot (for example, "whoever lands in the center slot pays for dinner") and drop the ball. Since the center slots come up more often, it's best to put the milder consequences there and save the edges for the harshest ones.
Where does Plinko come from?
It became famous on the US TV game show The Price Is Right, where contestants drop chips down a board of pegs to win prizes. The mechanic, however, is far older: it's the same as the Galton board, used since the 19th century to illustrate probability.