Yakuza and gambling

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A yakuza (ヤクザ/やくざ) is a member of a group of organized crime in Japan. By extension, this word refers to any Japanese thug. The yakuza are represented by four major unions, present throughout the archipelago, and also have ramifications in … Read More

Oicho-Kabu

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Oicho-Kabu (おいちょかぶ) is a traditional Japanese gambling game similar to the Western games blackjack and baccarat. It is typically played with special kabufuda cards. A hanafuda deck can also be used, if the last two months are discarded. (Western playing … Read More

Pachinko

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Pachinko (パチンコ) is a device used for amusment and prizes and is related to pinball machines. Although originally strictly mechanical, modern pachinko machines are a cross between a pinball machine and a video slot machine. Pachinko is said to have … Read More