Buckshot Roulette – Play Free Online
You sign a waiver, walk into a grimy back room, and sit down across from the Dealer. Between you is a 12-gauge shotgun. He shows you the shells—some live, some blank—then loads them in an order you cannot see.
Every turn is one question: do you point the gun at him, or at yourself? Get the math right and you live to the next round. Get it wrong and the lights go out.
What Is Buckshot Roulette?
Buckshot Roulette is an indie horror game by Mike Klubnika that blew up on streams after its itch.io release in late 2023. It swaps the revolver from Russian roulette for a shotgun and adds just enough strategy to make every decision feel like yours.
There is very little UI. Everything happens on the table—the shells, the items, the gun—so you are always reading the room, not a menu.
How to Play
The whole game is played with the mouse.
- Watch the shell count at the start of each load
- Pick up the shotgun and choose a target: the Dealer or yourself
- Shooting yourself with a blank gives you another turn
- Use items from your side of the table before you shoot
Win three rounds to walk out. Lose all your charges and you do not.
Reading the Odds
| Feature | What It Means | Smart Move |
|---|---|---|
| Only blanks left | The next shot cannot hurt anyone | Shoot yourself to keep your turn |
| Only live shells left | The next shot will hit | Shoot the Dealer |
| More blanks than live | A blank is more likely | Shooting yourself is the safer bet |
| More live than blanks | A live shell is more likely | Aim at the Dealer, or use an item to check first |
Keep count of every shell that has been fired. When you know exactly what is left, the game stops being luck.
FAQs About Buckshot Roulette
What is Buckshot Roulette?
Buckshot Roulette is a horror take on Russian roulette by Mike Klubnika, first released on itch.io in December 2023. You and the Dealer take turns firing a shotgun, either at each other or at yourself.
How does a turn work?
At the start of each load you see how many live and blank shells go in, but not the order. On your turn, shoot the Dealer or shoot yourself. Shooting yourself with a blank keeps your turn.
What do the items do?
Items let you bend the odds—for example, checking the current shell, ejecting it, healing, doubling damage, or making the Dealer skip a turn. Using them at the right time is the real skill.
Why does it take so long to load?
This is a large browser build of the full game. The first load can take a few minutes on a slow connection. If it fails, refresh and the player will try a lighter backup version.
Is Buckshot Roulette scary?
It is tense rather than jump-scare heavy, but it has guns, blood, and a grim atmosphere. It is meant for older players.
Final Thoughts
Buckshot Roulette is short, mean, and unforgettable. A single session takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but the Dealer's stare stays with you a lot longer.
