If you’ve ever visited a real-life casino that has more to offer than a room full of slot machines, you’ve probably seen the action at a live roulette table. Perhaps you have participated in this game of chance and seen firsthand the peculiar allure that draws so many people to it. Whether or not you’ve actually seen the game in action, you’re probably still familiar with the wheel, the assortment of black and red framed numbers, and the little white ball that ultimately selects the winners and losers. But where did the roulette wheel come from, and how has it used its time thus far?
No one knows for sure who designed the roulette wheel, but others believe it was the French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Given that the word “roulette” literally translates to “small wheel” in French, this is just one possible explanation for the game’s beginnings. In a Parisian casino in 1796, the world saw its first modern roulette wheel.
In the 1800s, it made its way to America, where an additional pocket was inserted to bring the total to 31. This gave rise to the “American” and “European” roulette wheels often found today. If a European roulette wheel is available, you should take use of it to maximize your chances of winning. Being limited to only 30 slots increases your odds of finding a suitable compartment.
Live roulette has been one of the most played casino games for years when it first appeared. There is a far higher chance of winning, making it a popular choice in Europe. It’s no secret that poker’s popularity in the United States has been on the rise recently, and that it now outpaces roulette in terms of overall interest. Due to its immense popularity, the roulette wheel has become a standard fixture in gambling establishments and is not going anywhere soon.
The first thing a player new to live roulette should know is that there are two basic wagers they can place on the wheel: even money and odd money. These reflect the structure of the wheel. You can make a bet in roulette called “inside,” which is based on the sequence of numbers that circles the inner rim of the wheel.
Outside bets, the second major category, include wagering on outcomes other than the number on the roulette wheel (such as whether the ball will land on red or black).
Within these two categories, players have a wide range of betting options, including wagering on the possibility that the ball will land on a single number, a range of numbers, or even on whether the number will be even or odd.
Although live roulette can be intimidating for a first-time player, if they become familiar with the various outside and inside bets, they can begin to grasp the game’s mechanics and, who knows, maybe even try their hand at placing a wager.