The history of Roulette dates back to the 17th century, and it’s believed to have been inspired by several other games. The word “Roulette” is French for “little wheel”, indicating its roots in France. But before Roulette found its place in the hearts of bizzo gamblers and the glamor of casinos, it was born from the fusion of several different games. Roulette was an attempt by a French physicist to create a perpetual motion machine.
How the Perpetual Motion Machine Turned Into a Game?
In the mid-1600s, French mathematician, physicist, and inventor Blaise Pascal inadvertently set the stage for the game of Roulette during his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. Although he never achieved perpetual motion. His invention of a wheel that spun smoothly and with little friction eventually became a key component of the Roulette wheel.
The Predecessors of Roulette
Around the same time, various bizzo games that had elements of Roulette were popular. These included the English games of Roly-Poly, Ace of Hearts, and E.O. (Even-Odd), the Italian game Hoca, and the French game Biribi. The exact mechanics of these games varied. They all included elements of betting, chance, and a spinning wheel or some representation of it.
The First Roulette
The game that most closely resembles modern-day Roulette first appeared in Parisian casinos in 1796. The wheel in this early version of Roulette had both a zero and a double zero, which are the hallmarks of what is known as the American Roulette wheel today.
The Emergence of European Roulette
However, in the mid-19th century, two French brothers, François and Louis Blanc, revolutionized the game. They gave birth to European Roulette. They introduced a Roulette wheel with only a single zero to compete against casinos offering the traditional wheel with both a single and double zero. The introduction of the single-zero Roulette wheel significantly reduced the house edge. It’s also increased the odds for the player, making it instantly popular.
The Difference Between European and American Roulette
Roulette quickly spread across Europe and reached the United States in the early 19th century. Here, casino operators reintroduced the double zero to increase the house edge again. Resulting in two main styles of Roulette wheels: the European single-zero wheel and the American double-zero wheel. Today, both versions continue to be played worldwide. They offer different levels of challenge and excitement for players.
How Roulette Became Wildly Popular and Found Its Place Online?
In the 20th century, Roulette became a staple in most casinos. Roulette gained the nickname “King of Casino Games” due to its association with the glamor of casino life. The development of technology added another exciting chapter to Roulette’s history. The advent of the Internet in the 1990s led to the rise of online casinos. Roulette naturally found its place in the digital world. Now, anyone with internet access could play, making the game more accessible than ever before.
Roulette Nowadays
Today, online Roulette games offer a variety of versions, including the main traditional American and European styles, as well as other creative variations. Some online platforms even offer live Roulette games. In live Roulette a human dealer spins a real Roulette wheel in real-time, bringing the authentic casino experience right to players’ homes.
Outro: The Roulette game has come a long way in hundreds of years, and now it is available to everyone online, of different types and designs.
