Roulette is a casino game in which players place chips on a table. The croupier then spins a wheel and releases a ball into it. The player’s chips are rewarded according to their betting odds.
In America, roullete isn’t as popular as blackjack, video poker, craps, or slot machines. But it is still a popular game in Europe.
Origin
It’s hard to pin down the exact origin of roulette. However, most sources point to 17th century France for the first written reference. It’s believed that the game was born from a combination of other gambling games, including Roly Poly and Even-Odd, as well as portique, hoca, and bassette. It’s also possible that the game was influenced by Italian games like Biribi and rotella, which used a small wheel to determine the winning number. Regardless of the origin, it was in America that roulette made a big impact as French migrants brought the game to their new homes. They also changed the game by eliminating the double-zero pocket from the wheel, resulting in the single-zero version we play today. This version is more closely related to European roulette.
Variations
While many roulette game variants exist, the ones that offer the best experience for players are those that follow a European layout and have a friendly house edge. French roulette, for example, shares a lot of similarities with the European version but features a unique table layout that includes special bets and French names for the various dozens. Players who are looking for a more unique gaming experience can also try Double Action Roulette. This variation uses a special wheel that delivers two winning numbers with every spin.