Roulette, which means “little wheel” in French, has a rich history dating back to 18th-century France. The game is often attributed to Blaise Pascal, a renowned mathematician and physicist, who inadvertently created the roulette wheel while attempting to invent a perpetual motion machine. Although his machine failed, it laid the groundwork for one of the most iconic casino games.
The Evolution of Roulette
Initially, roulette wheels did not feature the zero. The single zero was introduced in the 19th century by Francois and Louis Blanc to increase the house edge. The double zero, which is a hallmark of i9bett company American Roulette, was added later to further enhance the casino’s advantage.
Popular Roulette Variations
American Roulette
American Roulette is distinguished by its double zero (00) in addition to the single zero (0), which significantly increases the house edge to 5.26%. This version was introduced to the United States by French immigrants in New Orleans and quickly gained popularity. The double zero was added to make the game more profitable for casinos.
Key Features:
- 38 pockets (1-36, 0, 00)
- Higher house edge compared to European Roulette
European Roulette
European Roulette is often considered the standard version of the game. It features a single zero, which reduces the house edge to 2.7%. This version was popularized by Francois and Louis Blanc, who set up their first casino in Germany due to gambling restrictions in France. The game later gained immense popularity in Monaco, thanks to Prince Charles of Monaco III.