What began as a hybrid of wheel games like Roly-Poly and number lotteries such as Biribi crystallized in 18th-century Paris into the roulette we know today. Its subsequent evolution illustrates a game’s ability to adapt to the demands of politics, economy, and culture.
Roulette’s enduring popularity stems from its elegance and drama. The spinning of the numbers on a small wheel and the rapid swings of fortune evoke images of flamboyance, glamour, and gloomy ruin. Roulette’s circular form also suggests the medieval Wheel of Fortune, turned by Fortuna to determine human fate. In addition, its underlying mathematics — the sum of all the numbers from 1 to 36 equals 666 — echoes biblical numerology.
The first clear description of the modern game appeared in an 1801 book written by Jacques Lablee. He notes that the wheel has numbered pockets, and 0 and 00 are house slots. He also describes a betting tableau for inside and outside wagers. The game was soon introduced in America, where its rough atmosphere led to practical innovations. To prevent cheating, operators mounted wheels on the tables in plain view, rather than embedded in them as in Europe. Betting layouts were simplified to speed play and reduce disputes. In addition, zeros were painted red and black to differentiate them from the other slots, a convention that continues to this day.
When you play roulette, you place chips on a green felt table covered in numbered and betting areas. Every area corresponds to a type of bet. You can bet on a single number, group of numbers, color or a combination of these. The dealer then spins the wheel and drops the ball, and your bets are settled. Before the wheel spins, you must stop touching your chips, which will be collected when the dealer announces “No more bets.”
There are two main types of roulette: European and American. European roulette uses a single-zero wheel and has a lower house edge than its American cousin. American roulette, on the other hand, uses a double-zero wheel and has a higher house edge. The difference is in the house’s percentage advantage on even-money bets. In some cases, casinos offer rules that can reduce this edge, such as la partage and en prison.
Despite its reputation for danger, the game is not as dangerous as it seems. The odds of winning are relatively low and the game is not as fast-paced as some other casino games. Moreover, players can practice their strategy and try different strategies without risking any money.
When you play roulette at Hard Rock Bet, you can choose to use our Play Money option. This allows you to play the game with no actual money in play and gives you the freedom to experiment with the various strategies discussed in this article or your own. This feature makes Hard Rock Bet the ideal place to learn and refine your strategies. This is especially helpful if you are new to the game of roulette and want to avoid the pitfalls of bad habits.