Last Updated on 18 May 2016 by Nicholas Lim
The allure of roulette lies in both the luck and strategy involved in playing the casino game. Whether you are playing the game offline or at an online casino, the mystery and history of roulette makes it one of the most popular casino games to play. Often referred to as the King of Casino games, roulette conjures up visions of white smoking jackets, cigars and luxurious casino environments reminiscent of a James Bond movie. Yet its simple, easy-to-follow rules make the game of roulette an accessible online casino game that everyone can play. Playing roulette at an online casino allows you to relax in familiar surroundings while enjoying the high adrenalin rush of the game. Roulette is an equal-opportunity game of class and sophistication that makes it easy for the novice to play, while still presenting a challenge to the experienced player.
No matter what form of roulette you like to play, the object always remains the same– to predict the winning number and then wait for the spinning roulette wheel to come to a stop so you can see where the ball comes to a rest. The spinning wheel consists of 37 to 38 pockets, depending upon whether you play European or American roulette. Players gather around the table placing bets as the croupier, or dealer, spins the wheel. The benefit of playing an online casino game such as roulette is that you get to determine how fast or slow the game goes since you don’t have to wait for the dealer or any other players to be ready. This can be especially helpful for those who are new to the game or new to the online casino environment.
An offline casino’s roulette table accommodates up to eight players, but the number of players is not a concern with casino games online. Nor do you have to stand in line and wait for a space in which to play; at an online casino, there’s always room for you at the roulette table. After the bets are placed and the wheel stops spinning, the croupier distributes payouts to the winning betters.
To prepare for your online casino roulette game, it’s important to become acquainted with the basic elements and rules of the game. Here you’ll find information on the history of the game and how to play roulette. You’ll be introduced to several betting options, strategies and systems to consider as you play. Our information on payouts helps you to know what to expect when you win and our roulette hints and tips will help you get the most out of your game. While roulette is primarily a game of chance, taking the time to learn a few fundamental principles of the game helps you understand what to expect during the different stages of the game and how to handle each phase.
Roulette has seen some changes over the years, but the age-old game remains a good choice for offline and online casino novices as well as online casino game aficionados. The advent of online casino games means you don’t have to save for a trip to Las Vegas or Monte Carlo in order to place your bet. Online casino games bring the roulette table to you.
History of Roulette
“Roulette” comes from the French language and means “small wheel.” The popular casino game actually didn’t start out as a game at all. In the 17th century, French inventor and physicist Blaise Pascal created a small, spinning wheel in his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. One hundred years later, in the 18th century, Pascal’s small wheel was combined with the popular English wheel-based games Roly-Poly and Ace of Hearts, as well as two popular Italian games, and a French board game called Roulette. The game of roulette ended up being banned in 1758, but its popularity couldn’t be subdued for long.
The present day version of roulette was played as far back as 1796 in the Palais Royal located in Paris, France. The first roulette wheels contained a red space for the single zero and a black one for the double zero, setting the standard for what would evolve into American Roulette. Two business-minded French men, Louis and Francois Blanc, introduced the single zero roulette wheel in 1840s Germany to offer an attractive alternative to the traditional wheel every other casino used. The single zero roulette wheel, eventually known as European roulette, lured players away from other casinos with the promise of a new and exciting roulette wheel on which to play.
In the mid to late 1800s, the game of roulette spread throughout Europe and across the ocean to America. The early spinning wheels in America consisted of slots for the single zero, double zero, numbers 1 through 28, and an American eagle to symbolize liberty and freedom in America. Numbers-only slots soon replaced the American eagle wheels, which now fetch tens of thousands of dollars when auctioned off in authentic, excellent condition.
The abolishment of gambling in mid-19th century Europe resulted in a decrease in roulette playing and other casino games. It was at this time that Monte Carlo was put in the position to become the gambling mecca of Europe. The Blanca family of Germany left the country and moved to Monte Carlo immediately following the gambling ban because Monte Carlo was the only place in Europe where gambling was still legal. Here, the standard was set for the European roulette single zero game to become the premier game known around the world as the King of Casino Games.
As roulette’s popularity exploded in 19th century America, the French, double zero spinning wheel migrated from New Orleans up the Mississippi River, and then westward. Eventually, the rampant cheating habits of both the roulette dealers and players resulted in the spinning wheel portion of the roulette table being moved from underneath the table to the top, where everyone could see it. The makeshift roulette wheels that cropped up across the United States were quite a contrast to the stylish, more leisurely-played game tables of France and the rest of Europe. In the end, the simple betting process and fast payouts associated with the American version of roulette become popular worldwide.
Casinos saw the game of roulette decrease in popularity after WWII when card games like craps and blackjack began to rise in popularity due to profitability. Online roulette games started in the 1990s and have steadily increased in popularity. No longer reserved for the elite of Monte Carlo and other regions, online casino roulette is a game that encompasses an entirely new fan base because players can now enjoy the game from the privacy and comfort of their own home.