Big Six wheel
Encyclopedia
The Big Six wheel, also known simply as The Big Six or Wheel of Fortune, is an unequal game of chance
, played using a large vertical wheel that can be spun.
Since 13 May 2002, it can be played legally in licensed casinos in the United Kingdom
, under The Gaming Clubs (Bankers' Games) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (Statutory Instrument
2002/1130).
The game is also not unknown in casinos in the United States
.
or leather
, which also rubs against the pins to impart friction and slow the wheel down.
in the United States
. The symbols are the $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 bills — and three or four special symbols, usually a joker
the casino logo
and one or two re-spins. Players wager on the symbols except re-spin). The $1 bills pay at odds of 1 to 1, the $2 bills at 2 to 1, the $5 bills at 5 to 1, and so on. The joker and the logo pay at odds of 40 to 1 or 45 to 1, depending on local gaming regulations or the practice of the casino and re-spin is a re-spin by the spinner.
The house advantage or edge (the proportion of the stakes that the casino
expects to win on average) of this game is one of the highest of most casino game
s. In the United States it ranges from 11.1% on the $1-bill bet to more than 24% on the joker or logo (when it pays at 40 to 1). In Australia
the house edge is 7.69% on all bets such that the payouts are: 47:1, 23:1, 11:1, 5:1, 3:1 and 1:1 on a 52 segment wheel.
. Sometimes the same symbol appears in more than one segment. Players wager on the numbers 1 through 6. If the number appears on one of the dice in the winning segment, the dealer pays at 1 to 1. If the number appears on two of the dice, the dealer pays at 2 to 1. If the number appears on three of the dice, the dealer pays at 3 to 1.
One example of a dice wheel, manufactured by H. C. Evans
& Co. of Chicago
(or its successor), is divided into 54 segments. Each of the triples appears four times. The following doubles each appears four times: 2, 1, 1; 2, 2, 1; 4, 3, 3; 5, 4, 4; 6, 5, 5; and 6, 6, 3. The following combinations each appear three times: 3, 2, 1; and 6, 5, 4.
In the example above, there are 54 possible outcomes for a single spin of the wheel. For a specific number:
At odds of 1 to 1, 2 to 1 and 3 to 1 respectively for each of these types of outcome, the expected loss as a percentage of the stake wagered is:
1 - [(7/54) * 2 + (4/54) * 3 + (4/54) * 4] = 22.2%
The symbolism of the game is redolent of chuck-a-luck
or sic bo
, games of chance
played with three dice
. However, the house advantage or edge is greater than for chuck-a-luck
, which itself has a higher house advantage than other casino game
s.
This variety is seldom seen in casinos, but frequently seen as a carnival game
, or at a charity
"Monte Carlo
night" fund-raiser. A similar game, the "Big Nine" wheel, has five numbers on each segment, and also three special symbols, appearing on three spaces each, which pay 10:1 odds.
, Australia
or New Zealand
involves a wheel at least 1.5 metres in diameter divided into 52 segments, each marked with one of seven symbols (referred to as A to G). The table below sets out the frequency of the symbols, their probability, the associated odds specified, and the house advantage or edge.
.
One variant called "Mississippi Derby" was used for a short time at the Grand Casino
in Gulfport, Mississippi
. (The casino was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina
.) The symbols were combinations of three of a number of different horses, arranged to represent a winner, a second-placed horse and a third-placed horse. (The horses were represented in three concentric rings, with the winner on the outer ring.) Players wagered on particular horses to "win", "place" or "show", as with betting in horse racing
. The payoffs varied from horse to horse, depending on how many times and where the horse appeared on the rings. Odds ranged from 40 to 1 for the "longshot" to win, down to 1-2 for the "favorite" to show.
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, played using a large vertical wheel that can be spun.
Since 13 May 2002, it can be played legally in licensed casinos in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, under The Gaming Clubs (Bankers' Games) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (Statutory Instrument
Statutory Instrument
A Statutory Instrument is the principal form in which delegated or secondary legislation is made in Great Britain.Statutory Instruments are governed by the Statutory Instruments Act 1946. They replaced Statutory Rules and Orders, made under the Rules Publication Act 1893, in 1948.Most delegated...
2002/1130).
The game is also not unknown in casinos in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Rules
The wheel is divided into a number of equal segments separated by spokes or pins. Each segment is associated with a number. The wheel is spun by a dealer, and the winning segment is indicated by a pointer mounted on a flexible piece of rubberRubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
or leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
, which also rubs against the pins to impart friction and slow the wheel down.
Variants
There are a number of variants of the game, that divide the wheel into a different number of segments, use different symbols in the segments, and have different odds if a symbol is selected.Money wheel
This variant is the most common in casinosCasino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The symbols are the $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 bills — and three or four special symbols, usually a joker
Joker (playing card)
Joker is a special type of playing card found in most modern decks, or else a type of tile in some Mahjong game sets.-Name:It is believed that the term "Joker" comes from a mispronunciation of Jucker, the German/Alsatian name for the game Euchre. The card was originally introduced in about 1860 for...
the casino logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
and one or two re-spins. Players wager on the symbols except re-spin). The $1 bills pay at odds of 1 to 1, the $2 bills at 2 to 1, the $5 bills at 5 to 1, and so on. The joker and the logo pay at odds of 40 to 1 or 45 to 1, depending on local gaming regulations or the practice of the casino and re-spin is a re-spin by the spinner.
The house advantage or edge (the proportion of the stakes that the casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
expects to win on average) of this game is one of the highest of most casino game
Casino game
Games available in most casinos are commonly called casino games. In a casino game, the players gamble casino chips on various possible random outcomes or combinations of outcomes. Casino games are available in online casinos, where permitted by law...
s. In the United States it ranges from 11.1% on the $1-bill bet to more than 24% on the joker or logo (when it pays at 40 to 1). In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
the house edge is 7.69% on all bets such that the payouts are: 47:1, 23:1, 11:1, 5:1, 3:1 and 1:1 on a 52 segment wheel.
Dice wheel
The symbols on the wheel represent some of the 216 possible combinations of three diceDice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
. Sometimes the same symbol appears in more than one segment. Players wager on the numbers 1 through 6. If the number appears on one of the dice in the winning segment, the dealer pays at 1 to 1. If the number appears on two of the dice, the dealer pays at 2 to 1. If the number appears on three of the dice, the dealer pays at 3 to 1.
One example of a dice wheel, manufactured by H. C. Evans
H. C. Evans
H. C. Evans & Company of Chicago was once a leading manufacturer of casino equipment and supplies - both honest and crooked - in the United States. It was established in 1892 and collapsed in 1955...
& Co. of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
(or its successor), is divided into 54 segments. Each of the triples appears four times. The following doubles each appears four times: 2, 1, 1; 2, 2, 1; 4, 3, 3; 5, 4, 4; 6, 5, 5; and 6, 6, 3. The following combinations each appear three times: 3, 2, 1; and 6, 5, 4.
In the example above, there are 54 possible outcomes for a single spin of the wheel. For a specific number:
- there are 7 possible outcomes, where one die only will match the number;
- there are 4 possible outcomes, where two dice only will match; and
- there are 4 possible outcomes, where all three dice will match.
At odds of 1 to 1, 2 to 1 and 3 to 1 respectively for each of these types of outcome, the expected loss as a percentage of the stake wagered is:
1 - [(7/54) * 2 + (4/54) * 3 + (4/54) * 4] = 22.2%
The symbolism of the game is redolent of chuck-a-luck
Chuck-a-luck
Chuck-a-luck, also known as birdcage, is a game of chance played with three dice. It is derived from grand hazard, and both can be considered a variant of sic bo, a popular casino game, although chuck-a-luck is more of a carnival game than a true casino game...
or sic bo
Sic bo
Sic bo , also known as tai sai , dai siu , big and small or hi-lo, is an unequal game of chance played with three dice, and of ancient Chinese origin. Grand hazard and chuck-a-luck are variants, and of English origin...
, games of chance
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
played with three dice
Dice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
. However, the house advantage or edge is greater than for chuck-a-luck
Chuck-a-luck
Chuck-a-luck, also known as birdcage, is a game of chance played with three dice. It is derived from grand hazard, and both can be considered a variant of sic bo, a popular casino game, although chuck-a-luck is more of a carnival game than a true casino game...
, which itself has a higher house advantage than other casino game
Casino game
Games available in most casinos are commonly called casino games. In a casino game, the players gamble casino chips on various possible random outcomes or combinations of outcomes. Casino games are available in online casinos, where permitted by law...
s.
This variety is seldom seen in casinos, but frequently seen as a carnival game
Carnival game
A carnival game is a game of chance or skill that can be seen at a traveling carnival, charity fund raiser, amusement park, or on a state and county fair midway....
, or at a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
"Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco....
night" fund-raiser. A similar game, the "Big Nine" wheel, has five numbers on each segment, and also three special symbols, appearing on three spaces each, which pay 10:1 odds.
Variants in casinos in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand
A legal game in a licensed casino in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
or New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
involves a wheel at least 1.5 metres in diameter divided into 52 segments, each marked with one of seven symbols (referred to as A to G). The table below sets out the frequency of the symbols, their probability, the associated odds specified, and the house advantage or edge.
| Symbol | Number of segments | Probability of winning | Odds offered in UK | House edge in UK | Odds offered in AUS & NZ | House edge in AUS & NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 out of 52 | 1.9% | 50 to 1 | 1.9% | 47 to 1 | 7.7% |
| B | 1 out of 52 | 1.9% | 50 to 1 | 1.9% | 47 to 1 | 7.7% |
| C | 2 out of 52 | 3.9% | 20 to 1 | 19.2% | 23 to 1 | 7.7% |
| D | 4 out of 52 | 7.7% | 10 to 1 | 15.4% | 11 to 1 | 7.7% |
| E | 8 out of 52 | 15.4% | 5 to 1 | 7.7% | 5 to 1 | 7.7% |
| F | 12 out of 52 | 23.1% | 3 to 1 | 7.7% | 3 to 1 | 7.7% |
| G | 24 out of 52 | 46.2% | 1 to 1 | 7.7% | 1 to 1 | 7.7% |
Other variants
Other variants, using different symbols and odds, are relatively rare in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
One variant called "Mississippi Derby" was used for a short time at the Grand Casino
Grand Casino Gulfport
Grand Casino Gulfport was the name of a gambling establishment in Gulfport, Mississippi . It was owned and operated by Harrah's Entertainment. Prior to its destruction by Hurricane Katrina, the casino had two hotels with a total of 1,000 rooms, and a casino.-History:Prior to 2005, Grand Casino...
in Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
. (The casino was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.) The symbols were combinations of three of a number of different horses, arranged to represent a winner, a second-placed horse and a third-placed horse. (The horses were represented in three concentric rings, with the winner on the outer ring.) Players wagered on particular horses to "win", "place" or "show", as with betting in horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. The payoffs varied from horse to horse, depending on how many times and where the horse appeared on the rings. Odds ranged from 40 to 1 for the "longshot" to win, down to 1-2 for the "favorite" to show.