Russian Roulette Review

This could have been the most violent trivia game ever, but no guns are actually involved. However, the thematic elimination of players by a random spinner does add an entertaining element of luck.

Name	Russian Roulette
Original Run	June 2002 to April 2003
Host	Mark L. Walberg
Length	Half hour
Currently On	Game Show Network (weekdays at 6 p.m.; check your local listings)
IMDB	Main entry

Description: Russian Roulette is a four-person trivia game in which correct answers guarantee your survival, and incorrect answers leave your fate up to a Russian roulette-like spinner. Elimination is the highlight of the show, as the floor instantly drops out from under the contestant, leaving just a moment to wave goodbye or scream (my kids' favorite moment in all of television trivia). Each round ends with the elimination of a player, either after a missed question or when time is up (in the latter case, the player with the highest score is exempt and gets to pull the trigger).

Early Rounds: Each question is presented without its multiple choices to the previous question's winner, who selects an opponent to answer the question. The choices (three in the first round and four later) are then revealed to the selected opponent, who has ten seconds to answer. A correct answer earns money, while an incorrect answer forces the contestant to face the spinner. Initially, the spinner presents a 1-in-6 chance of elimination, but this increases by one drop zone with each question (to a maximum of 5-in-6).

Heads-Up Round: When only two players remain, the format changes so that the player in control is given the option to answer the question (before seeing the choices) or to challenge the opponent. As four choices will be available, this generally means answering the question if you think you know the answer and passing it on if you don't, but it's still an effective twist.

Bonus Round: The show's winner can earn extra money in a 60-second bonus round. The contestant needs to correctly answer ten questions (originally five, which proved to be too easy) without any incorrect answers before time runs out and the sixth drop zone opens up to win an additional $10,000. Any $10,000 winner can then elect to gamble the ten grand on one last shot against the spinner for $100,000. However many safe zones are left (usually one or two), this is always a good bet from a pure probability point of view, but most contestants choose to walk, demonstrating the utility curve of money.

Conclusion: Overall, Russian Roulette is a fun game with easy-to-medium difficulty multiple-choice trivia questions, a well-crafted game flow, and an exciting bang (even the show's winner sometimes leaves abruptly).