History of Roulette
| Updated: Intro to Roulette’s Origins and Evolution
Roulette is a game shrouded in mystery. Every time we hear the name Las Vegas, we think of countless casinos and bustling gaming tables. Of course, we can’t help but imagine the crowd gathered around the roulette table, staring at the spinning wheel, on pins and needles, waiting to see the winning number.
As roulette is one of the oldest and most-played games today, it is worth looking back at its history. Join us on our journey into its origins, starting with the invention of the wheel by Pascal. The game was an instant success and quickly gained popularity. The introduction of roulette in America led to further variations of this classic game. With technological advances, roulette conquered the online gambling realm, inspiring numerous variations developed by the leading iGaming studios.
The Invention of the Wheel
In fact, the name “roulette” means “little wheel”, which is the very symbol of the game. What is a game of roulette without the wheel itself? The answer is obvious, yet the device still holds a certain mystery. Every gambler knows that roulette is a game of luck, but it also involves the mathematical calculation of odds, house edge, and payouts. It should therefore come as no surprise that the inventor of the spinning wheel was a mathematician. Of course, creating such a precise device also required a sound knowledge of physics.
History points to the French physicist Blaise Pascal. As a matter of fact, many great inventions began with a completely different purpose. The same holds true for the roulette wheel. Pascal’s goal was not to devise a casino game but to create a perpetual-motion machine. Although his attempt failed, it inadvertently gave birth to this delightful casino game.
Following his design, roulette was established as a gambling game in 17th-century France. In 1842, two brothers, Louis and François Blanc, revolutionized the layout by adding a single-zero pocket. This design became the model for what is known today as European Roulette. François Blanc later opened a casino in Monte Carlo, where roulette found its true home and gained tremendous popularity.
The Spread of Roulette throughout Europe
There are, in fact, many theories about the game’s true origin. Some believe it stems from a Chinese board game; others think it is deeply rooted in Ancient Rome. The Greeks also claim a role in its creation, but most of the credit goes to France. The game can be traced as far back as the 17th century. Interestingly enough, during that period gambling was illegal. When the new century arrived, fresh gambling regulations were introduced. This allowed the game to spread, and its rules have remained largely the same ever since.
In France, however, the ban on gambling remained in effect. Consequently, François and Louis had to find a new place to introduce their game. They therefore moved their operations from France to Germany. The game became a sensation among the local gambling community, and that is how roulette spread throughout Europe. A few years later, at the prince’s request, the game was brought back to France.
Introducing the Game in America
French immigrants brought the game to New Orleans, and roulette entered America during the 19th century. However, it was not as warmly welcomed as in Europe. American casino owners were dissatisfied with the low European house edge, so they nearly doubled it. This change dissatisfied players, who were frustrated by the reduced potential winnings. To achieve this, the operators reshaped the standard European version of the game and introduced a double-zero pocket. Today this variant is known as American Roulette, although it is not the most popular because it is less advantageous to players. Evidence of this is that roulette is estimated to account for only about 5 percent of gaming revenue.
Further Development of the Game Led by Americans
In an effort to attract more gamblers, American casinos adopted several changes that furthered the game’s evolution. Gradually, more casinos adopted the single-zero wheel.
Speaking of America, one cannot overlook its many modernizations. US casinos also introduced electronic boards at the wheels that displayed the most recent winning numbers. Furthermore, the table limits were raised, giving gamblers the chance to pursue higher payouts.
Roulette Conquers the Internet
Technological innovations have greatly increased the convenience enjoyed by casino players. The rise of the Internet made it possible for busy people to enjoy the game from the comfort of their homes. Playing online even offers several notable advantages. First, you can focus on your strategy without the distracting shouts common in land-based venues. Secondly, online roulette is completely automatic.
Roulette – A Game for the Brain
As mentioned above, roulette has been around for a very long time. Over the years, players have devised many strategies to gain an edge over their opponents. It is no secret that some have even used magnets to control the wheel, but there are also legal ways to gain the upper hand over the house.
You simply need to devote enough time to improve your skills and place the right bets. In the past, many believed that the wheel could not be beaten, but that is far from the truth. Roulette is a game of strategy, calculations, and luck.