What Makes Roulette Such A Popular Game?
Roulette is a very popular casino game that is played at both land-based casinos and online. Gamblers love to place their bets on red or black and spin the wheel to reveal the winning number. Roulette has been around for many years and is a popular game for a few different reasons.
Here, we are going to explore the history or roulette and get to the bottom of what makes this such a popular game. Keep reading to find out more.
The History Of Roulette
There is a lot of mystery associated with the history of roulette as it can be hard to decipher who actually was the first to invent the game that is still popular to this day. While many people believe that roulette came from France originally, there are stories of the Chinese playing the game, the Ancient Romans and the Ancient Greeks all taking a spin on a roulette wheel. It is, of course, more generally accepted that Roulette was in fact invented in France.
European Roulette was invented by two Frenchman named Francois and Louis Blanc in the 1840s. Their adaptations to the game and their new style of roulette wheel made the game much more popular and very similar to the roulette that we have today. While our ancient ancestors may once have played a game we could vaguely recognise as roulette, it was the 18th-century innovations which led to the game we know today. It has been popular for years, even surviving American gambling bans as shown by this makeshift wheel here.
Image: A Group of People Placing Bets at the Roulette Table (123rf)
Rules of The Game
Image: The Roulette table, where the bets are placed before the spins. (Pixabay)
There are many different types of roulette so you need to be aware of which game it is you are playing before you begin to place your bets. This guide by casino pro Frank Scoblete details how to play roulette and explains betting strategies and house edge, in addition to the differences between the different variations.
Generally, there is a wheel which comes with 38 slots associated with numbers and colours. Bets on this game include inside bets which could work as a split bet, straight bet or a six line bet. Players can also enjoy outside bets such as on a red, a black, even, odd and much more. To win, the player must place their bet on the winning number or colour.
The odds and payout change quite significantly depending on where you choose to place your bets. The highest payout comes from betting on a single number and will grab you a payout of 35 to 1, with odds of 2.7% in European roulette and 2.6% in American roulette. Compare this to one of the most common “safe” bets of Red/Black, which only has a payout of 1 to 1 and odds of 48.6% in European roulette and 47.4% in American roulette.
Betting Systems and Strategies
One of the reasons why roulette has become so popular is that many betting systems and strategies have been created to help players get ahead. Some of the most popular roulette betting systems include the Martingale which is a simple system which comes with a low-risk. Other systems include the James Bond, the Paroli and the D’Alembert. There are also plenty of systems which claim to be “no lose”, such as this one developed by a British gambler.
Before using a betting system, it is important to understand the rules of roulette and the risk involved. These strategies do not guarantee a win and they might be frowned upon by those you are playing against.
The Wheel
Image: A European Roulette Wheel (Pixabay)
Did you know that the roulette wheel is not laid out in the same way across the variations? In American Roulette, you’ll find that the wheel comes with 38 pockets which range between 0 and 36. Of course, there is also a pocket which has a 00 on it which is something that you won’t find on other wheels.
In European Roulette, there are 37 pockets with a 0 pocket included. In this case, the house edge is decreased a lot, and this is something which is preferred by many players around the world.
There are a few reasons as to why the roulette wheel is laid out in the way that it is. Some of these include the idea that the player could get confused and this can benefit the house. Other reasons for the layout include making sure that low and high numbers alternate as much as possible and to keep the colours alternating.
How To Improve Your Odds
One of the best ways to improve your odds in roulette is to understand the odds more effectively. If you know how likely you are to win by betting on a particular number or colour, then you can make a sensible choice.
You can also improve your odds by choosing one of the games. French or European roulette has a lower house edge than American roulette. This is because American wheels have that extra pocket which pushes the house edge in their favour a little bit more. Both games could offer you tremendous fun but you should stick to European roulette if you are looking to play a game focused on the odds.
If you are looking for the maximum benefit while you play, you should look for games with additional betting rules, called “Surrender” or “en prison” depending on the variation you are playing.
En Prison is used for French roulette and means that the house edge will drop from 2.7% to 1.35% for a single spin. It is only triggered in certain circumstances. When a player makes outside bet for even-money but the win is 0, the player is given the option to give up half of the bet or let the whole bet become “imprisoned” for the next turn. The chips will be left standing and the player will either win on this next spin and keep their original wager or it will lose and be surrendered to the house. It basically allows a player a second chance.
The Surrender rule is only used in American roulette and comes into play when the winning number is either the 0 the 00. Any even-bets will immediately be divided in two with 50% going to the player and 50% going to the house. It is another rule which cuts the house edge down from 5.26% to 2.63%.
These rules are not the most popular for casinos as they do offer a better deal to their players over the house but some places do offer them. If you are looking to play a game of odds, then you should find a casino which offers either the Surrender or En Prison rules.
Why It Is Such an Exciting Game?
Roulette is by far one of the most popular casino games because it is often the one that people begin playing. Roulette is very easy to understand to those who have never played a casino game before as it is really a game of luck, though there are, of course, some tricks which claim to help you win. Other reasons why this game is so exciting is the wheel that you won’t find in other games. Players enjoy the watching the wheel spin and their fate revealed.
There is also a social element to roulette which is something that has helped it to retain popularity over the years. Players can visit a casino with their friends and bet on the same wheel which can encourage them to spend more cash.
Roulette Played at Land Based Casino Vs. Online Casino Vs. Online Live Roulette
Image: Someone logs onto an online casino for a game of online roulette (123rf.com)
In 2019, roulette is not just available to play at a land-based casino, it also available online. The ability to take out your mobile phone and play a game of roulette at an online casino has increased the popularity of this game over time. Online roulette comes with impressive graphics and some big prizes that players can enjoy conveniently on the move.
Of course, you cannot mention online roulette without discussing online live roulette which has taken the online casino industry by storm more recently. Players can play against a live dealer through a stream and get the real casino experience from the comfort of their own home. It is clear that live dealer roulette is the future of this game as it has become so popular.
Key Points
The appeal of roulette is clear as it has been around for quite some time. Players enjoy the game of chance and the idea that they could walk away with a lot of cash if they get lucky. While some may have thought roulette would become less popular due to slot games, live dealer roulette has managed to help retain its popularity.
