Gun Play: Russian Roulette Reloaded

The Roulette is of course that famous game of chance where the gambler's fortunes are determined by the spin of a wheel. Just as well-known, though perhaps more infamous than famous, is the "game" of Russian roulette; where fortunes are decided by the spin of a revolver and its players engage in the ultimate gamble.

The exact origin of Russian roulette is subject to speculation, but it is usually attributed to 19th century Russian prisoners who were forced by prison guards to play the game. Some other accounts suggest that Russian army officers played the game to impress themselves.

The double-action revolver Nagant was the standard-issue sidearm of the Russian army from 1895 to 1930, and was the favored weapon for what would become known as Russian roulette. There is some objection, however, over whether the Russians should indeed be credited with the invention of the game as there is no actual evidence proves it. Not even accounts of suicidal officers playing such or similar games can support this.

A fatal game played for the highest of stakes, Russian roulette involves a single bullet placed in one of the chambers of a revolver. The cylinder is spun and closed, with the players not knowing which chamber the bullet is loaded in. Each player takes turns pointing the gun to their heads and pulling the trigger. Clicking on an empty chamber wins the bet. Clicking on the loaded one, more than the bet is lost.

Russian roulette need not be deadly serious, however, and some fun can be had by playing some alternatively non-lethal variations of the game. Simulated Russian roulette can be played with toy guns such as a Nerf gun, a video game light gun, or a cap gun for a little bang.

The drinking game version of Russian roulette is the "beer hunter," popularized by Bob and Doug McKenzie in the comedy album "Great White North." Instead of a revolver, this game uses a six-pack of beer. A can of beer is taken from the six-pack and vigorously shaken, after which it is put back into the six-pack. The players each take a can, and the one who gets sprayed by the shaken beer loses.

Russian roulette can also be played using firecrackers placed in the players' mouths. The fuses are lit, and the one who spits their firecracker first loses while the one who keeps it in their mouth the longest wins. This is really more like a game of "chicken" than Russian roulette; and though not meant to be lethal, it is still potentially hazardous if the firecracker is not spat out in time.

Though the origins of Russian roulette are in doubt, one non-lethal version of it actually was invented in Russia in the 2000's. Instead of playing with a gun to the head, this variant is a friendly game of darts. Players take turns shooting darts at a dart board three times in a row. The player with the most points wins the game.

It was a sick game played for stakes of life and death. But one can take the lethalness out of Russian roulette and adapt the game's rules to fashion recreations that are thrilling yet safe, fun, and even wholesome. It doesn't hurt the game, and it's much more enjoyable playing a game that can't hurt anyone.