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.
This game called Big Six, Money Wheel or Wheel of Fortune
is played on a vertical rotary large wheel with a fixed indicator/pointer
on the edge.
The wheel has 54 (USA) or 52 (Australia) slots/sections
representing six groups of the six main betting odds.
The number of slots in each group is indirectly proportional
to the odds they offer (the higher the odds the fewer the
slots). The object of the game is to guess in which group
slot on the big six money wheel the indicator will point to
when the wheel stops following the spin.
How to play Big Six
Playing big six is very simple and requires no skill. Just
place your bet before the big six money wheel is spun. When
all bets are placed, the dealer grabs one side of the wheel
and spins the wheel with a strong pull and push downward action
(see picture).
The wheel then makes a few turns and slowly grinds to a stop.
The marked number the indicator points to when the wheel stops
is the winning number and payoff amount. You may bet on one
or more numbers at the same time. Below are the groups division
and number of slots in each group, the odds, payoffs and house
edge for both, the American and the Australian big six wheel.
Money wheel
This variant is the most common in casinos in the United States. The symbols are the $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 bills — and two special symbols, usually a joker and the casino logo, which appear only once each. Players wager on the symbols. 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.
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 games. 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.
Dice wheel
The symbols on the wheel represent some of the 216 possible combinations of three dice. 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:
- 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 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 games.
This variety is seldom seen in casinos, but frequently seen as a carnival game, or at a charity "Monte Carlo night" fund-raiser.
American Big Six Money Wheel Slots, Odds and Payoffs
54 slots in total:
24 slots at even, marked $1 pays 1 to 1
15 slots at 2:1, marked $2 pays 2 to 1
7 slots at 5:1, marked $5 pays 5 to 1
4 slots at 10:1, marked $10 pays 10 to 1
2 slots at 20:1, marked $20 pays 20 to 1
2 slots; one Joker and one Logo at 40:1 each,
pays 40 to 1 (some places pays 45 to 1)
House advantage (American money wheel)
Even bet: 11.11%
2:1 bet: 16.67%
5:1 bet: 22.22%
10:1 bet: 18.52%
20:1 bet: 22.22%
Joker or Logo, 40:1 bet: 24.07% (14.81% at 45:1)
Australian Big Six Money Wheel Slots, Odds and
Payoffs
52 slots in total:
24 slots at even, marked $1 pays 1 to 1
12 slots at 3:1, marked $3 pays 3 to 1
8 slots at 5:1, marked $5 pays 5 to 1
4 slots at 11:1, marked $11 pays 11 to 1
2 slots at 23:1, marked $23 pays 23 to 1
2 slots; one Joker and one Logo at 47:1 each,
pays 47 to 1
House advantage (Australian money wheel)
Even bet: 7.69%
3:1 bet: 7.69%
5:1 bet: 7.69%
11:1 bet: 7.69%
23:1 bet: 7.69%
Joker or Logo, 47:1 bet: 7.69%
Usually, the even money bets are min. of $5.00 the rest are
min. of $2.00.
Where to play The
big six wheel:
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