Roulette: History

The game of roulette shares similar features to other games that can be found in casinos, for this reason the exact origins of the game are a mystery. Because it is one of the oldest games to be found in a casino, it is unclear where the first games were played.

The word roulette is of French origin, and it literally means ‘small wheel'. The theory that is most recognised is that of a French gentleman called Blaise Pascal, a mathematician, who presented the game to the world in 1655. He also invented the probabilities of the game, by defining its parameters. This is the most easily recognisable explanation of the origins of roulette, but there are other theorists who have been credited with the original inception of the idea of the game.

One theoretical concept regarding the origins of roulette traces its roots back to the carnival eras that were popular during the 1500's. If the theory could be proven then the game began a full 2 centuries earlier than current historians place its origins, i.e. with the invention by Pascal. But, there is definitive proof that the carnivals did feature games that were very similar in nature to the modern game of roulette.

Another theory states that the game of roulette can trace its roots all the way back to ancient China where the sailors and explorers exported the game to the rest of the world and in particular to the European continent. This game has some slight variations from the modern day game, and the players also acted in a slightly different way too, the players arranged cubes in the formation of 666. This is a very interesting fact because when all the numbers on the outside of the wheel are added together you will get the amount 666 (scary!). If you accept the beginnings as the French theory, certain people believe that Pascal sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the game of roulette.

Nonetheless, the evidence shows that the people of Tibet played roulette before the introduction of the game to mainland Europe.

In the 18th century, roulette reached new heights of popularity with the reverence of the game by the aristocracy in France, particularly with Prince Charles of Monaco. The first documented use of the roulette wheel was in 1796, which took place in the house of games in central Paris.

The 19th century saw the arrival of roulette in America and its popularity grew almost overnight, it was particularly popular during the gold rush of the middle of the 19th century. The American and French versions of the game are distinctly different. Casino operators in America were not impressed with the low advantage that was afforded to the house and so sought to improve their odds. In consequence, they included on their wheel an extra slot, the double zero 00. The American version therefore has both the single and double zero, i.e. both 0 and 00. Whereas the French version has only the single zero, 0.

The proliferation of online casinos during the late 20th century has created new avenues in which to take the game of roulette. Nowadays, players can chose to play both American and European roulette, depending on their preference; they can even play both at the same time by opening more than on internet explorer window (or whichever window they use). The greatest advantage of this revolution for roulette players is that they can reduce the advantage of the house by varying which version they want to play. They also have a small say in how the casinos are run by increasing the competition of the casinos because they can pick and choose which one to play at depending on the benefits that the various casinos have to offer.

Over the years many attempts have been made by mathematicians, statisticians and other ingenious individuals, to try and beat the game and better the advantage of the player, but all attempts have been futile.