Russian Roulette Gambling Game
When Did Russian Roulette First Emerge?
The game of Russian roulette has origins in the mid-nineteenth century. This was a time when the revolver handgun was first invented and went into heavy production. Russia at this time remained a relatively cut-off corner of the world, and the first evidence we have of the lethal game being played is from the letters of early adventurers describing this deadly game of chance. During the early 20th century Russia entered a period of civil war – according to the Swiss writer and adventurer Georges Schulz – Tsarist officers were known to randomly pull out their pistol, remove all but one cartridge, then spin the cylinder and pull the trigger with the barrel pressed against the side of the head.
- The Name: Russian Roulette. But the actual term, “Russian roulette” was first coined by the Swiss author, Georges Surdez, in 1937. Inspired by tales of daring do from the French Foreign Legion, he wrote a short story called “Russian Roulette”.
- Yangyang Double-Sided Non-Woven Game Tablecloth Russian Roulette & Blackjack Gambling Table Mat Board Game 12060cm.
If you’re not in the mood to put your life on the line but want to enjoy the much safer and legal version – check out online roulette games we have reviewed. If you are worried about risking your money on the game, you can also check out our beginners’ guide to roulette rules, or our roulette strategy tips.
The early days of Russian roulette were played by just removing one cartridge from the cylinder. Obviously this does not give a very good chance of survival, around 83.5% chance of blowing your brains out in fact. The game was altered as it spread through contemporary Europe. A lower chance of death means increased playing time for the daredevils and lunatics brave or crazy enough to even participate, thus giving more excitement. The “safer” version is what remained, and eventually gripped American popular culture, popping up in fictionally literature, Hollywood movies and music immediately after the Second World War.
Notable Appearances of Russian Roulette in Pop Culture
Once the American public became aware of the brutality of the Second World War, pitching a dark folklore tale around the game of Russian Roulette became a lot easier. In those days people were hungry for a good tale, a bit of excitement, and the seeming craziness and sinister nature of this game enticed people in the early days. Film directors and producers were smart enough to latch onto this sentiment and quickly set to work dramatizing and bringing this undiscovered concept to the big screen. With the game becoming an integral part of American popular culture, it has been portrayed across a variety of mediums. From art-works, cartoons, poetry, literature and music the game began being referenced: but the most significant impact was in Hollywood on the big screen, below are some worthy titles featuring Russian Roulette.
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- Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
- Mirage (1965)
- El Topo (1970)
- The Street Fighter (1974)
- The Deer Hunter (1978)
- Malcolm X (1992)
- Leon: The Professional (1994)
- One Eight Seven (1997)
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
- The Art of Negative Thinking (2006)
- American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007)
- Irrational Man (2015)
Whether it be sinister, comedic or factual depictions of the lethal game, Russian roulette history is deeply rooted in the plot lines of all the above movies. The game plays on the compulsive gambling urges that many punters will know all too well. The only difference is the opportunity cost of this game is your life. This fascination with the risk involved has claimed the lives of many, and the true death toll attributed to Russian roulette may never be fully known. In the following section, we’ll talk about the well-known incidents that resulted in Russian roulette ending in fatality.
Russian Roulette is possible to play roulette alone, together with one more person or a group of people: the more people take part in a game - the less their chances for winning are. A player spins a revolver's cylinder and place the muzzle against his/her head; s/he pulls the trigger and there is 1 chance out of 6 that s/he will 'catch' the. The game of Russian roulette in its essence was obviously one of risk and pressing one’s luck. In a six-chamber revolver, one would have a one-in-six chance of firing off the bullet each time.
Notable Fatalities in Russian Roulette History
Russian Roulette has sadly claimed the lives of several public figures over the past century. Although it is sometimes difficult to attribute the death as Russian Roulette or suicide, there have been some high-profile deaths unequivocally determined to be from bad luck in a game of Russian Roulette. It is estimated that there have been around 2200 deaths in America alone from Russian Roulette in the last 80 years. There are also isolated occurrences in the UK, like the story of a teenager who died playing the game in 2018. Below, we discuss some of the more well-known incidents.
Ana Julia Lima Clemente
One of the most recent incidents in the public is the death of Brazilian teenager Ana Julia Lima Clemente, 15. In 2007 the young girl was tragically killed by playing Russian roulette with her uncles .38 revolver. According to her friend and eyewitness, Clemente held the gun to her head and pulled the trigger twice, before fatally shooting herself on the third attempt.
Terry Kath
The founding member and lead guitarist of the rock-band Chicago tragically died in 1978 whilst fooling around with guns at a party. The Rockstar apparently picked up an unloaded revolver, put it to his head and pulled the trigger, and nothing happened. Then trying to replicate the trick with a semi-automatic pistol that turned out to have a live round in the chamber, he died instantly. Kath’s last words to his wife were “Don’t worry, it’s not loaded.”
Ivan Cole
Successful MMA fighter Ivan Cole died in 2016 reportedly playing Russian roulette. The fighter was found dead in his Dallas apartment by police in a scene that appeared he was playing Russian roulette. The fighter left behind his wife and a four-year-old daughter.
Final Thoughts
Russian roulette is clearly a game that shouldn’t be played by anyone. It stems from deep pain and disregard for the longevity of life and we obviously deplore anyone glamourizing this sickening act. Nonetheless, public attention has romanticized the act for several decades, and it remains an area of fascination amongst historians and popular culture critics. There have been many insane gambles throughout history beside the deadly game of Russian roulette – discover here the craziest bets made by gamblers.
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You will not find any roulette wheels or table layouts here; this game will not be played at any casino; a player will not make any bets on any number with the help of chips; and a winner will not get any money for his/her success.
But this is roulette anyway: a revolver's cylinder plays a role of roulette wheel here; a bullet will be your chip to make a bet; a winner will get nothing but life!
This is Russian Roulette - the most dangerous and potentially lethal game of chance; it is played by people who are crazy a bit, who are not afraid of death or who just want to prove something to other people. Anyway
History
Russian Roulette is believed to be created in the 19th century by Russian prisoners: they played it with prison guards trying to predict the results. Another version tells that Russian Roulette was the game of Russian soldiers who played it in order not to be bored: they used the revolver Nagant then (1895 - 1930), and such a revolver is used for Russian Roulette now.
But historians do not hurry to accept such a version of Russian Roulette's appearance because there are not exact documented texts found to prove this theory.
How to Play
Russian Roulette is possible to play roulette alone, together with one more person or a group of people: the more people take part in a game - the less their chances for winning are.
A player spins a revolver's cylinder and place the muzzle against his/her head; s/he pulls the trigger and there is 1 chance out of 6 that s/he will 'catch' the bullet. If two players take part in Russian Roulette they can spin a cylinder one by one or just fire a revolver without any spinning.
Russian Roulette Game Online
As for bets, the audience can bet on which player will get a bullet and which one - not.
Interesting fact
According to researches of Kentucky (the USA), most of Russian Roulette victims were men of in about 25 years who were under the alcohol's influence when decided to try this game.
Russian Roulette is often used as a plot for different films and TV shows.
Russian Roulette Game Show
Russian Roulette games
Some variations of Russian Roulette can be found which do not have a lethal way as a result though it may not as thrilling as a real game of course.
- Simulated Russian Roulette: a toy gun is used here instead of a real revolver.
- Beer Hunter: it is funny to play with your friends. One beer can is removed from a six-pack and it should be shaken; after that this can is placed back into the pack. Well, one of players will be sprayed with beer when other ones stay clean.
- Fireworks: players place fireworks to their mouths.
- Darts: instead of human head players use darts; the winner is the one who will get more points after three attempts.