The Pachislo machines are absolutely not a tiny bit of luck. if you are going to get a win it often tells you before the wheels have even stopped.. NO SKILL INVOLVED AT ALL. Although it tries to make it appear like there is!!
I agree James, theye are not skill at all, I increased the payout percentage on my Austin Powers, hmmm skill.... this would not be the case if the machine was pure skill as the answer then would be play it better.....
As for the bent pins, this is correct, the pachinkos have a sweet spot to achive fever mode, if the pins become bent then it increases the chance of the balls entering, but the palours in japan check the pin spacing with a gauge all the time so they have to be quick to spot one with the bent pins.
I would recomend pachislo or pachinko to anyone as they are great to play.