Buckshot Roulette: Complete Strategy Guide
Master the deadly game of chance against the mysterious Dealer
🎮What is Buckshot Roulette?
Buckshot Roulette is a tabletop horror game developed by Estonian indie developer Mike Klubnika. Originally released on December 28, 2023 on itch.io, the game was later published on Steam by Critical Reflex on April 4, 2024. Built with the Godot engine, it has quickly become one of the most talked-about indie horror games, with 96% positive reviews on Steam from over 29,000 players.
The game puts a deadly twist on Russian Roulette — instead of a revolver, you're playing with a pump-action shotgun. Face off against the enigmatic Dealer in a dimly lit basement, where every pull of the trigger could be your last.
🎰How to Play
The core gameplay of Buckshot Roulette is deceptively simple but deeply strategic:
🔫 The Setup
At the start of each round, the Dealer loads the shotgun with a random mix of live rounds (red shells) and blank rounds (gray shells). You'll be told how many of each are loaded, but not their order.
🎯 Your Turn
On your turn, you must choose: shoot yourself or shoot the Dealer. If you shoot yourself with a blank, you get another turn. If you shoot the Dealer with a live round, they lose a life. Get hit by a live round yourself, and you lose a life.
💀 Win Condition
Reduce the Dealer's health to zero before they do the same to you. The game consists of multiple rounds with increasing stakes and more items becoming available as you progress.
🧰Items Guide
Items are crucial for gaining an edge over the Dealer. Here's every item in Buckshot Roulette:
🔍 Magnifying Glass
Peek at the current shell in the chamber. Knowing if it's live or blank is incredibly powerful for decision-making.
🚬 Cigarette
Restore one health point. Simple but essential for staying alive in longer games.
🍺 Beer
Rack the shotgun to eject the current shell. Great for skipping known live rounds when shooting yourself for extra turns.
🔪 Handsaw
Saw off the barrel for ONE shot. The next live round deals double damage. High risk, high reward.
🔗 Handcuffs
Skip the Dealer's next turn. Perfect when combined with knowledge of upcoming live rounds.
💉 Adrenaline
Steal and use one of the Dealer's items. Can completely turn the tide of a round.
🔄 Inverter
Inverts the current shell — live becomes blank, blank becomes live. Extremely powerful with magnifying glass knowledge.
📱 Burner Phone
Reveals the position of a random shell in the sequence. Partial information that can still be very useful.
💡Pro Strategy Tips
- 1.
Always use the Magnifying Glass first: Information is power. Knowing the current shell lets you make optimal decisions with all other items and actions.
- 2.
Shoot yourself with blanks: If you know (or suspect) the current shell is blank, shoot yourself to get an extra turn and cycle to the next shell.
- 3.
Combo Handsaw + Live Round: If you know a live round is chambered, use the handsaw first for double damage. This can end rounds quickly.
- 4.
Count the shells: Track how many live and blank rounds have been fired. This helps you calculate probability when you don't have a magnifying glass.
- 5.
Save handcuffs for critical moments: Use handcuffs when you've set up a guaranteed live shot at the Dealer and want to prevent retaliation.
🎭The Dealer
The Dealer is your opponent in this deadly game. A mysterious, inhuman figure who runs this underground gambling den. The Dealer plays by the same rules as you — they can use items, shoot you or themselves, and make strategic decisions. As you progress through the game, the Dealer becomes more aggressive and the stakes get higher.
The Dealer's unsettling appearance and the game's dark, industrial aesthetic create an atmosphere of constant dread. The sound design, composed by Mike Klubnika himself, adds to the tension with every rack of the shotgun.
🎮Game Modes
👤 Single Player
The classic experience. Face off against the AI Dealer in an intense one-on-one battle of wits and luck.
👥 Multiplayer (Up to 4 Players)
Added in the October 31, 2024 update. Play with friends online for an even more chaotic and unpredictable experience.
🎲 Double or Nothing
Added in the January 12, 2024 update. After winning, you can choose to continue playing with increased stakes and difficulty.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Buckshot Roulette?
Buckshot Roulette was created by Mike Klubnika, an Estonian indie developer. He developed the game using the Godot engine and also composed all the music himself.
Is Buckshot Roulette free?
You can play Buckshot Roulette for free right here on this website! The full game is also available on itch.io and Steam for a small price.
How long is Buckshot Roulette?
A single run takes about 15-30 minutes. However, the game is designed for replayability with its randomized elements and Double or Nothing mode extending playtime significantly.
What platforms is it available on?
Buckshot Roulette is available on Windows and Linux. You can play it on itch.io, Steam, or free in your browser on this website.