Big Six Wheel
CARNIVAL + CASINO GAMBLING GAME (early 20th century USA). A LARGE VERTICAL WHEEL divided into 54 (or 52) segments displaying various dollar amounts ($1, $2, $5, $10, $20) + special symbols (JOKER, LOGO). Player bets on which segment the wheel will stop at (a leather flapper against pegs slows it). Payout equals segment number (bet on $5 → win 5:1). House edge ranges 11-24% — one of the WORST casino games for players. Popular carnival draw + tourist casino game.
Quick facts
Category
Casino & Gambling
Type
Individual
Players
1–20
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Early 20th century USA; widespread in Vegas + Atlantic City casinos + Coney Island carnivals
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Bet on which dollar-value segment the wheel will stop on.
Rules
Basic rules
Place chip on desired dollar value on layout
$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, Joker, or Logo.
Dealer spins wheel; flapper against pegs slows it
Random stop.
Winning segment pays 1:1 to 45:1 depending on segment
Higher segments = higher payout but rarer.
Joker + Logo segments pay 45:1
High-risk high-reward.
Scoring
House edge is very high (11-24% depending on bet); worst casino bets available.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Bet on $1 (23 segments) | 1:1 (house edge 11%) |
| Bet on $2 (15 segments) | 2:1 (house edge 17%) |
| Bet on $5 (7 segments) | 5:1 (house edge 22%) |
| Bet on $10 (4 segments) | 10:1 (house edge 18%) |
| Bet on $20 (2 segments) | 20:1 (house edge 22%) |
| Bet on Joker (1 segment) | 45:1 (house edge 24%) |
| Bet on Logo (1 segment) | 45:1 (house edge 24%) |
Win condition · Wheel stops on segment you bet on.
Equipment
Big Six wheel (~1.5m diameter, 54 segments)
Vertical wooden/plastic wheel
Casino betting layout with corresponding dollar values
Betting board
Chips
Standard casino chips
Terminology
- Segment
- One of 54 wheel divisions marked with dollar/joker/logo.
- Flapper
- Leather flag that slows the wheel by hitting pegs.
- Joker / Logo
- Rare special segments paying 45:1.
Where it is played
Frequently asked
Is the Big Six Wheel worth playing?+
MATHEMATICALLY NO. It has among the HIGHEST HOUSE EDGES in any casino (11-24% depending on bet). For comparison: baccarat is ~1.1%, blackjack ~0.5% with basic strategy, video poker ~1%. The wheel is popular for VISUAL SPECTACLE + carnival atmosphere, not for actual winning. Serious gamblers avoid it; casual players play for entertainment value only.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Big Six Wheel— Wikipedia