A Quick History of Roulette and Its Types: Spinning the Devil’s Wheel

Roulette is one of the most featured games in every casino. The public acceptance of roulette is enough to arouse some curiosity about the origin of the game. Hence, the need for this article which has the history of the most cherished game in casinos.

The origin of the game called roulette has some mystery surrounding it. The mystery is based on evidence showing that some countries have played games similar to roulette. For example, some people believe the game originates from the Chinese board game, which looks similar to roulette. Also, the ancient Greeks had some games that were similar to roulette.

The most widely accepted evidence is that roulette originated in France. A French physicist named Blaise Pascal was said to have invented the game. Pascal developed the motion machine in 1655 as an inventor to support his claim. He claimed that a machine can work without getting energy from an external source. Although his test failed, the experiment birthed the widely accepted casino game called roulette.

Evolution of the Roulette Game

Over the decades, roulette, one of the oldest casino games, has evolved. There have been several adjustments to the wheel over time to make it a modern game. Below are some of the modifications the game has experienced over the years:

Addition of Roulette Zero

The addition of zero to the roulette wheel started in the mid-19th century. Francois and Louis Blanc designed the new wheel for the Prince of Monaco. Fortunately, the addition of Roulette zero greatly increased the house advantage. Also, the wheel became a great deal and helped the state to generate more income.

Getting to America

The wheel game made its way into the US in the 1800s. As expected, the American influence rubbed off on the game, making it more popular. After the game entered the United States, another zero was added to give “00”. This new addition gives the house a bigger edge.

Modern Day Roulette

Technology has affected all spheres of life including the roulette game. These technological effects on the game make it one of the most prominent casino games in history. Below are some of the new inventions that characterize modern roulette:

  • Online Roulette
  • Electronic Roulette
  • Video Roulette
  • Live roulette games

Types of Roulette

There are different versions of the roulette game available. These versions have distinct characteristics that may enable their players to win. Also, the varieties encourage the users to continue gambling even when they have lost the excitement for a version after several spins. Below are some of the types of roulette:

American Roulette

American roulette is one of the popular versions of the game. Upon the game’s arrival in America, it experienced major transformations, making it the country’s version of roulette. It is one of the best options for players. The main characteristic of the version is the presence of 0 and 00 pockets.

Also, the center of the screen has two major buttons: the clear and the spin. The spin button works by setting the balls on the wheels rolling. This same button can also work as the repeat button, which helps to place the chips in their former places. The clear button enables the user to clear the bets they do not want to have on the table again.

In addition, American Roulette has another characteristic that makes it distinct from others. The order in which the numbers 1 to 36 are arranged differs from any other version worldwide. However, the table layout is the same as the other types.

European Roulette

European roulette is also a popular version of the game alongside the American type. Both versions are similar. However, there are major differences between the two versions. It has 37 pockets and one zero, in contrast to the American version, which has 38 pockets and two zeros. This arrangement on European roulette gives the player a greater chance of success when the wheel spins. Also, the house edge of European Roulette is half of the American version.

French Roulette

French roulette is similar to the European version. Like the European version, French roulette has one zero. However, the two versions have different table layouts. Also, the languages on the European and French tables are written in English and French respectively. French Roulette has different options with various payouts. Below are some of the betting options:

  • Outside bets
  • Inside bets
  • Favorite bets
  • Special bets

Multi-Wheel Roulette

Playing roulette on a double ball wheel sounds exciting and fun. However, playing the game on multiple wheels is more exciting and entertaining. Multi-wheel roulette allows the player to use eight wheels to bet at once.

Compared with other versions, multi wheels roulette is faster and has greater chances of the player having huge wins. This arrangement shows that the player is betting eight times more than when playing a single game. However, you can only place the same bets on all eight wheels. It is interesting to note that activating all eight wheels is optional. The player can choose the wheels that should be active.

One of the major distinguishing characteristics of multi-wheel roulette is that it is only available online. It means that the version is only available in an online casino. The reason is that the game interface has high visibility when played online. If played in a land-based casino, the player cannot see all eight wheels at once.

Double Ball Roulette

Double Ball Roulette is one of the newest versions of the game., making it available in a few casinos. It is majorly played online. The major difference is that this version uses two balls as opposed to one used by regular roulette. The second ball follows the first one after the player has shot it. Hence, the two balls follow each other around the edge of the wheel.

Apart from the major difference, the layout is similar to regular roulette. Double ball roulette uses either the single or double wheel. The type of wheel the game will use depends on the casino. It is important to note that for the player to win the outside bet, both balls must win. However, either of the two balls can win for the inside bet. If both balls win for this type of bet, the player’s win is doubled.

Mini Roulette

Mini roulette is a less popular version compared to other types. Its popularity is majorly among online players. It has fewer numbers on the wheel, reducing the number of betting options. Unlike the popular ones, Mini Roulette has only 13 pockets. The frame is smaller than others making it suit its name, mini.

Players with solid American or European roulette knowledge can easily play the mini version. Unfortunately, the small wheel gives few potential bets, unlike the other versions of roulette. However, mini roulette gives a good number of wagers. Below are some of the categories available on mini roulette:

CategoryCoverage
SplitsThis category covers two numbers only
RowsThis category covers rows of three numbers
CoversThis category covers the intersection of four numbers
ColumnsThis category covers columns of numbers

Video Roulette

The development of video roulette results from casinos seeking expansion for the popular game. Video roulette is one of the games you can play from the comfort of your house. Apart from the physical interaction lacking in video roulette, it is similar to the other game types. This version of the game comes in cabinet form. It is an online game in which the cabinet shows two screens.

The lower screen features the roulette table and the betting options available to the players. On the other hand, the top screen shows the wheel and results generated from the game. The top right side of the screen shows the deposit of the players. Players make deposits after selecting a casino site. Each gambling site has a minimum amount they can deposit. Players who visit the mobile casino no deposit bonus sites are able to fund their accounts without using a lot of money.

Conclusion

Roulette is a casino game that has been existing for many decades. Roulette is an enjoyable game that gives a first-time player the real casino experience. The wagering game has evolved over the years with new versions. With the rise in technological modifications, we are convinced that the most popular casino game is here to stay.