There are several different versions of Russian Roulette, from the traditional lethal game (which is available online in a safe setting), to the television game show and its online cousin.
The television game show Russian Roulette and the online version of the game operate with, essentially, the same rules. In the television version of the show, which ran in the United States from June, 2002 to June, 2003, four contestants sit above six chambers which they can fall into. Each player is given money at the beginning of the show and one contestant is selected to answer the first question. The contestant chosen must challenge another contestant to answer the question correctly. If the contestant answers the question correctly, they gain control of the “board” and the next question. Up to the fifth question, drop zones are added and increase the chance of contestant elimination. If the contestant answers incorrectly, they are then required to play “Russian Roulette” by pulling the handle located in front of them. They are eliminated if the trap door opens and they drop through the stage set beneath the floor.
The online version of the game is very similar, as the player chooses a “safe zone” and then spins the wheel. The safe zone amount indicates the point or dollar amount the player will be spinning for in the round. If they choose the safe zone correctly, they win the amount indicated. If they choose incorrectly, they lose the amount of points or dollars wagered on the round. Each player may post their score after a successful round of Russian Roulette, but the points are doubled if they complete five rounds, with five drop zones, successfully. The online game is based on the television game show version; however, the players are not required to answer multiple choice questions.
There is another online version of the real life lethal version of Russian Roulette, which players can “enjoy” for free and without risking anything monetarily. In the online version of the lethal game the player pits himself against the computer to see who can shoot the traditional revolver, loaded with a single bullet, and live. Points are accumulated based on how many rounds the player can go without meeting their maker. There is also a drinking game of the same name that has become popular on college campuses around the country. The drinking game involves filling 5 glasses with a hard liquor of choice and a sixth with a double shot of Bacardi 151. The numbers 1 through 6 are then printed on napkins and the shot glasses are placed on top of the napkins. Players take turns rolling a die and drinking whatever shot is on the number they roll. The player that rolls the number of the napkin containing the shot of 151 has “fired the bullet” and the round is over.