Gaming Studio, Inc.
Minnesota Tri-Wheel® instructions on how to play this the dominant and oldest Minnesota wheel game with table
Minnesota's First and Only Authorized Table Game Played in Bars and Taverns.
The Minnesota Tri-Wheel® was designed to be the social table game for play in bars. The wheel being the common focus of players seated around a table placing their wagers openly, where others could see who is betting what, how much and when. The common verbal coaxing of the wheel to talk the paddle into resting on that lucky number or set of numbers..... It worked. We can say after years, that the Minnesota Tri-Wheel has moved thousands of players out of their seats as prospects click (sound of paddle on wood) ever closer to a win - often only to throw them back in their chair when that prospect is dashed in one or two final, slow, unfortunate clicks. Rubbing elbows with strangers, sharing your "system" with them and chatting up the wheel operator make this game a unique experience. You really should give it a try. Start simple, just betting "odd" or "even" and evolve your own set of hedge bets as you become drawn, or is that spun, into the game. Betting an exact number in blue is the most player favorable bet in all MN charitable gaming. Betting "odd" or "even" has the same payout percentage as the statutory maximum allowed for pull tabs in Minnesota.
Process for Playing in Minnesota
1. Provide cash by sliding it across the table to the wheel operator. The operator will spread the cash in order that the camera can catch the value. The operator will provide you with chips equaling the value of cash and then plunge the cash through the table into a locked box for which she doesn't have a key.
2. You acquire with your chips (slide them forward on the table to the operator) as many tickets as you wish to play on the immediate next spin. The operator will fan the chips you slided so the camera can view the value. The operator will then provide you the tickets. The operator will then place the chips in the table chip tray.
3. You write your unique player ID on the back of each ticket.
4. You place the tickets somewhat gingerly into the slots to register where you are betting.
5. The operator will call for all tickets to be placed and then will spin the wheel which must make at least four full revolutions to be an official spin.
6. Once the wheel has stopped, the operator will announce and record the winning numbers for each of the three rings. The operator will then extract and rip the tickets from the losing slots.
7. With the losing tickets extracted and destroyed the operator will methodically pay off with chips the winning tickets according to the ID placed on the back of those tickets. The operator does write the amount paid on the tickets. Winning tickets are saved for accounting and auditing.
8. The operator will announce the table open for betting and again sell tickets.
North Dakota Process Variation
1. Provide cash by sliding it across the table to the wheel operator. The operator will spread the cash in order that the camera can catch the value. The operator will provide you with chips of a unique color equaling the value of cash and then plunge the cash through the table into a locked box for which she doesn't have a key.
2. You place your chips on the numbers, lines of numbers, pairs of numbers, and other areas you wish to bet.
3. The operator will call a warning for betting to close and then spin the wheel - it making the requisite four revolutions to be an official spin.
4. Once the wheel has stopped, the operator will announce and record the winning numbers for each of the three rings. The operator will then pick up the chips on losing areas.
5. With the losing chips extracted, the operator will methodically pay off the winning chips.
6. The operator will announce the table open for betting and again sell tickets.
The payouts in either state run the same. Your very best bet is the single numbers in the Blue ring. These provide a payout percentage exceeding Minnesota's maximum for pull tabs. When betting "odd" or "even," usually an 85% payout average, only the blue numbers apply. Note that six numbers out of forty are reserved to the "house," meaning that both "odd" and "even" lose should one of those marked six numbers come up.
Minnesota Tri-Wheel®
Minnesota Tri-Wheel® table
Close up of chip rail and table slots on a Minnesota Tri-Wheel® orginal table.
Minnesota Tri-Wheel® game setup
circa 1988, old Ramada Inn,
Moorhead, MN
Early Minnesota Tri-Wheel® ticket 1986. Those used in Minnesota today are black and white.
Minnesota Tri-Wheel® table felt layout as used in North Dakota.
This is a tribal version of the Minnesota Tri-Wheel, in custom colors made for Fond du Luth Casino in downtown Duluth. There were two other tribal setups built, one for Boise Forte and another for Mystic Lake.
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