Why is Russian roulette so-called? It’s called ‘roulette’ because the spinning of the revolver’s cylinder resembles the spinning of the roulette wheel and there’s an element of chance involved. The word ‘Russian’ is featured in the game’s name because it supposedly originated in Russia. The first known mention of the game was in an 1840 story ‘The Fatalist’ by Russian writer Mikhail Lermontov. Since then, the game has featured in many TV shows, films and other written stories; it’s also been played by people in real life, often with fatal consequences.
It goes without saying that playing the proper version of Russian roulette with a loaded gun is seriously not recommended. Even though many have survived, there’s still a chance of dying. Some people have come up with safe alternatives that are based on the game’s core mechanics but don’t involve anything life-threatening. Most of these are drinking games that, at worst, will get you a bit drunk. Here’s a look at two of the main Russian roulette-inspired drinking games and how they’re played.
Beer Hunter
This is a version of Russian roulette that can actually be quite entertaining and funny, especially if you’re a bystander. The way the game works is straightforward. Six closed cans of beer are used and one of them is shaken vigorously. The cans are then mixed up so that no one knows which one has been shaken. Players then take it in turns to open a can directly beneath their nose. Whoever opens the can that’s been shaken gets a load of beer sprayed up their nose and is the loser. This game doesn’t involve and risk of death or anything like that – it’s completely safe and the most that will happen to you is that you’ll get a shock when a surge of beer shoots up your nose. It can get a bit messy, so be prepared to clean up some beer spillage when the shaken can is opened. It doesn’t matter what beer is used – any type will do. You don’t even have to use beer, as ay sort of canned drink will do.
Vodka Shots
When it comes to drinking culture, shots are popular because they’re seen as a quick way of getting someone drunk. More often than not, it’s strong spirits such as vodka or gin that are used in shots. A safe version of Russian roulette involves shots of vodka instead of guns. Players get some shot glasses (usually six) and fill one with vodka, while filling the others with water or vodka that’s been heavily watered down. The glasses are scrambled so that no one can tell which one contains the vodka. Those who are participating in the game then take it in turns to choose a shot glass and drink its contents in one go by downing it.
The idea behind this game is that whoever picks the vodka shot has to go through the experience of downing a strong spirit – many people find spirits too strong to consume without some sort of mixer. Some people, especially people in their late teens and twenties, enjoy drinking and play this version of Russian roulette as an innocent, but fun, drinking game to get the night going.
Creating Your Own Safe Russian Roulette Variant
What the games above have in common is that they involve a number of options, one of which has bigger consequences than the others. Pick the wrong can of beer and when opened, beer will rush up your nose; pick the wrong shot glass and it’ll be strong vodka you’re downing in one, not water. Both of these games can be played with just about any number of people and there can be any number of options to choose from. You could have a game with twelve people and twelve shot glasses, only one of which contains vodka, for example, or you could have twelve people but two or more glasses containing the alcoholic drink. There’s plenty of room for variation.
You can, of course, come up with your own version of Russian roulette. Simply create a game that involves choosing from a number of options, one of which is different from the others. Whoever picks the different one loses. It doesn’t necessarily have to involve drinking; you could have foods wrapped up and one of them could be something disgusting, for example.
Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that the version of Russian roulette you play is completely safe and that no one playing it will come to any harm. Games are best enjoyed when they’re all about fun and entertainment; playing something that’s potentially harmful is just reckless. Though some people continue to play the proper, potentially deadly version of Russian roulette, that doesn’t mean you can’t play safe alternatives.