Easy to understand and fun to play, roulette was born in France during the second half of the 18th century. The name of the game comes from the French term for “little wheel” and was aptly chosen to reflect the main deciding force behind the game: The roulette wheel.
The game came of age in Paris around 1765 and has undergone numerous cultural evolutions since then.
The Origins of Roulette
Popular legend holds that the Catholic philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal invented the game in his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. Instead, the young numbers enthusiast developed the roulette wheel, launching one of the most popular gambling traditions in post-revolutionary France.
Although Pascal’s story remains the most popular among gambling historians, French businessman and casino owner François Blanc is credited by others with popularizing roulette to the masses. Among other things, Blanc was known for owning the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, one of the most fashionable places on the French Riviera.
However, other speculators maintain that a roulette-like game actually came of age in China before being brought to France in the late 18th century. These historians claim that the nuances of roulette were introduced into French culture by a group of Dominican monks who had been trading with Chinese merchants.
Roulette Basics and Variations
As roulette grew in popularity, new forms of gambling were born in the United States and other countries in Europe, with the introduction of roulette online.
Roulette, at its core, is a game of chance: Before the wheel spins and the ball is set in motion, players bet that a certain number, color, or even/odd specification will land. There are no strategies or techniques that can increase a player’s chances of winning other than knowing the small differences in odds between the main roulette variations. These differences in odds come from the two physical variations of the roulette wheel: the American and European versions.
As you begin to play roulette, it is important to understand how these cultural and physical differences will affect your chances of winning. Today, there are some popular versions of roulette online that you should understand before trying your luck:
American Roulette
The main difference between American and European roulette lies in the design of the roulette wheel. The American roulette wheel has a 00 pocket in addition to a 0 pocket, which has the effect of increasing the house edge, as there are simply more points on the wheel than the player must choose. When playing American roulette, the odds of winning are 1 in 38.
Apart from the 00 point, the American roulette online wheel differs from a European wheel in that its numbers are placed in a logical and sequential order. While European roulette wheels assign number placements at random, American wheels position sequential numbers opposite to each other: For example, 9 is placed across the wheel from 10.
European Roulette
Since roulette originated in France, the European version of the game is possibly the most authentic version that can be played. The numbers on the European roulette wheel range from 0 to 36 (excluding the 00 found on American wheels), so players have a slightly higher advantage playing European roulette than when playing the American variety: When playing European roulette, the odds of winning are 1 in 37.
Also, while the odds of winning are increased when playing European roulette, the stakes are significantly decreased. The chance of winning the house in European roulette amounts to 2.7 percent (in the American variety, the figure is 5.27 percent). This results in minor losses, should you lose while playing European roulette.
There are also cultural and not numerical differences between American and European roulette. More formalities and game options in the European version of the game. In European roulette, players have the option of paying the dealer (traditionally the person who spins the roulette wheel) to start the ball from a particular point on the wheel. In addition, culturally ingrained formalities are acceptable in European roulette, such as the ‘En Prison’ rule. This rule states that after a spin of 0, a player can leave his bet “in jail,” that is, in the same place that he had originally bet on before spinning a 0, in an attempt to try to recover the loss.
Casino Roulette
Las Vegas casinos mainly offer American roulette online, although some establishments have begun to introduce European wheels due to increasing demand. When looking for a European-style roulette game in Las Vegas, look for casinos that offer “single-zero roulette.” If a player knows the differences in odds between the American and European roulette wheels, he should be able to navigate both game variations with relative success.
Fast Roulette
Speed roulette – a version of the game that typically combines the benefits of a live dealer with touchscreen bet prompts – has gained popularity in casinos in recent years. Due to the amount of time saved with virtual betting, participants can place up to 65 bets per hour. Many players find this option attractive because at first glance, it seems like there are more chances to win.
However, a player’s odds of winning are the same each time he plays, regardless of how many times a bet is placed individually.
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