This classic casino game is the epitome of old school casino games. It is considered a classy, glamorous and exciting game, often dubbed ‘the King of all Casino games’. Variations of the roulette game have been around since 1796 and it remains one of the most popular casino games ever. Its popularity is in part due to the strong element of luck involved. The aim of the game is to guess the number the ball will land on when the roulette wheel stops spinning. Players can bet on a number or a group of numbers, a colour (either black or red), and on either Odds or Evens. There are two different kinds of roulette wheel, European Roulette and American Roulette; the difference between the two being the number of slots (European is numbered 1- 36 and American is numbered 1-37). To determine any winning bets the croupier spins the roulette wheel and spins a small ball in the opposite direction. When the ball finally loses momentum it lands in one of the slots around the wheel. The slots are numbered in order from 0 to 37, and are coloured in alternate black and red. Once there is a winning number payouts are calculated depending on all inside (or number) bets, and any outside bets (colours, groups and odds or evens).
Roulette History
The name roulette comes from the French word for a small wheel. This classic casino game originated in France and was enjoyed as early as the 1700s. The game as we know it today is said to have evolved from a variety of different wheel-based games; the English Roly Poly, Italian Biribi and the original versions of the French roulette for example. The game evolved over time and went from having both a single and a double zero on the wheel to just a single zero, like the European Roulette we are familiar with today. The single zero is said to have been introduced in the 1800s. It was also in the 1800s when the roulette game spread across Europe and also began gaining popularity across the Atlantic, in the United States. As a result of gambling prohibitions in Europe, Monte Carlo became a gambling retreat for rich Europeans, as one of the only places where it was legal and acceptable. It was here, at the elegant and affluent casinos in Monte Carlo that roulette became one of the games of choice for the elite, and gained its reputation as one of the most glamorous casino games. The roulette spread across the States and evolved into the American version of the game which is now significantly more common than the European version.
Roulette Strategy
Roulette has a very high house edge and over the years people have tried to develop strategies and systems with which to defeat the house and conquer the wheel. The most well known roulette Betting System invented is the Martingale system which involves doubling the bet every time there is a loss. The idea is that the first win recovers all previous losses. This system has repeatedly proven to be flawed and the cause of much financial loss. Many roulette articles refer to Albert Einstein who reputedly said "No one can possibly win at roulette unless he steals money from the table while the croupier isn't looking." Some research on roulette will come up with numerous roulette strategies, but players are advised to keep the house’s advantage in mind at all times. Rather than aiming to win systematically at roulette players can aim to create their own roulette strategy with which to stay ahead and will find this is a much more realistic goal. In conclusion, roulette is a game of luck, yes, the house has an advantage and it is difficult to develop a winning strategy with which to beat it, but at the end of the day the player may strike it lucky and win very big!