Ricochet

Introduction

Ricochet is a dice game formerly found at the Fiesta Henderson. I hear it was removed in July 2006. The game uses three dice and is played on a small table with chairs. Many bets are available, some that resolve in one roll, and other may take several. I have had to make up some terminology to explain this game, which may not be consistent with what the owners intended.

Rules

As in craps players take turns shooting the dice. Unlike craps there is no point or come out roll. The shooter will roll until he rolls any of the following combinations: 111, 666, 126, 136, 146, or 156. In other words a (1) one, six, and any other different number; or (2) three ones or three sixes.

Most of the betting layout is all 30 cominations of a pair and a singleton. Players may bet that any chosen combination will be rolled before the player craps out (for lack of a better term) by throwing one of turn ending combinations listed above. As in roulette the player may straddle two or four bets as well. There are also single roll bets. The following list explains all the available bets.

Place Bets

The following bets win if the chosen bet wins before a player craps out (throws a roll ending combination).

• Straight Up: This is any one of the 30 pair combinations. For example 3,3,4. It pays 8 to 1.
• Split: This is any two straight up bets, placed in between (as in roulette). It pays 4 to 1.
• Corner: This is any four straight up bets, placed in corner of the four. (as in roulette). It pays 2 to 1.

Single Roll Bets

The following bets are always resolved in one roll.

• One column: This bet covers six of the straight up combinations. It pays 10 to 1.
• Two rows: This bet covers ten of the straight up combinations. It pays 6 to 1.
• Any black: Of the 30 straight up bets, 14 are in black. This bet is that one of the black combinations will hit. It pays 4 to 1.
• Any green: Of the 30 straight up bets ,14 are in green. This bet is that one of the green combinations will hit. It pays 4 to 1.
• Three of a kind: The player may choose any particular three of a kind, for example 444. If pays 200 to 1.
• Any three of a kind: Wins if any three of a kind is rolled. Pays 34 to 1.
• Any six and one: Wins if both a one and six appear on next throw, for example 126 or 116. Pays 6 to 1.

Finally is the field bet. It pays based on one roll as follows.

• No pair or 6&1: Any three singletons, as long as both a one and six are not represented, or a higher paying combination, shall pay 1 to 1.
• 123 shall pay 2 to 1.
• 456 shall pay 3 to 1.

Analysis

The following table shows the probability of winning and house edge for all bets except the field. As in craps, the house edge on place bets is defined as the expected loss per bet resolved.

The next table shows the possible outcomes of the field bet. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.78%.

Written by: Michael Shackleford