The Toy Version:
Nowadays the game of
Russian roulette is still played, but in a less dangerous way. A simple toy gun or a special device is used instead of a revolver. The game can also be played with a video game light gun connected to a computer specially programmed for Russian roulette simulation.
How to Play:
All players put money in the pot and the game starts. As in the classic game, every player points a toy gun to his head and pulls the trigger. If the gun shoots, the player leaves the game. The last remaining player collects the pot.
Its easy to calculate, that if the game is played with one bullet, the player who makes the first turn has 6-1 odds to lose. Then, if the cylinder is spun, the next player has the same odds. If its not, his odds will be 5-1, then 4-1 and so on. These calculations are based on the argument that all holes of the revolver have equal probabilities to be under the hammer, which is able to be contested. Some claim that the weight of the bullet pulls the cylinder down and the odds of getting under the hammer are lower than 6-1. These claims are quite reasonable, but since the accurate error coefficient depends on the model and the physical condition of the revolver, on the weight of the bullet and on other conditions, it is difficult to say whether it is significant enough to take into account.