If you love Mathematics, you probably know Blaise Pascal — the man who invented probability and associated it with gambling. Many believe that Pascal designed the roulette wheel in the 17th century while trying to create the probability theory. However, another narrative is that a French monk introduced the game, and some people even believe that the Chinese created the game and traded it to Europe.
While the origin of the wheel of fortune is uncertain, one thing is sure – the game is universally accepted and is one of the most popular in casinos today. Several versions of the game have been played since the 17th century — like the hoca, Roly-poly, and more. However, modern roulette was first played in Paris casinos at the end of the 18th century.
Since then, the game’s popularity has soared – every gambler knows it, and every casino offers it. However, roulette didn’t just become famous. It has overcome years of illegality, many unknown versions, and recorded many regular updates to become what it is today. This article will discuss the history of roulette from its invention to the era of playing roulette online.
The Chinese Connection
According to popular Chinese folklore, roulette was invented based on an ancient board game where 37 animal statues are positioned in a square, with numbers that add up to 666 — known as the number of the beast. True to the story, the total addition of the number on the present wheel adds up to 666 — which can be a bit mystical.
This history also states that the game was recovered by some Dominican monks who have a solid interest in Chinese history. It is said that these monks eventually brought it into Europe after making slight modifications to the board.
However, this narrative was rejected as no one knew what the original Chinese wheel looked like. The modifications made by the monks were unrelatable as the French history had the game’s original design. Hence, the theory’s cancellation raises one question: How did the wheel enter Europe?
Roulette Comes To Europe
In the 18th century, gambling was forbidden and illegal in most parts of Europe and France. Of course, that fueled its popularity among gamblers, and the game went on illegally for years. However, in 1842, King Charles III of Monaco encountered a problem — his kingdom was facing a financial decline and needed a fast solution to save face. A solution that the famous gamblers Francois and Lois Blanc created for him.
The original French roulette was a two-zero pocket board that packed a high house edge, which was discouraging for gamblers that loved playing it, as it meant the house had an abundance advantage over the players. Francois and Lois created a single zero pocket wheel that split that house edge into two — gamblers will pay more if they think they have an edge against the house. They offered it to King Charles, who eventually used the gambling industry to resurrect his finances. He also created the luxurious Monte Carlo gambling resort to attract the wealthy and influential. Monte Carlo stands to date, with many gamblers enjoying the European game.
How The American Wheel Came Around
In the early 19th century, European settlers moving to Louisiana introduced the European wheel to the Americans. However, it was rejected by casino owners because the house-edge was ridiculously low. Americans added a double zero to their wheel and maintained a house-edge of 5.26 and above. Of course, the settlers didn’t like the low payout percentages and abandoned it.
That did not kill the American version. Many casinos adopted this game afterwards, and the American roulette was in full operation, even with the high house-edge that accompanied it. However, many American gamblers might prefer playing other game variants with lower house edges, like poker and blackjack.
With the introduction of technology to the gaming industry, many players also enjoy playing these low-house-edged games from the comfort of their homes and anonymously.
The Introduction Of Roulette To The Internet
The rise of technology has propelled the gambling industry to establish itself online. This has led to the rise in the popularity of the sector, with many new players coming on board.
Since the inception of online casinos in the 1990s, roulette has become one of the most accepted games by casino players worldwide. Although the game is known to be based purely on chance, players must be lucky to win, there have been some slight changes in recent times. There are now several strategies to increase your chances of winning when playing roulette online. Some of these strategies include:
● The Fibonacci Strategy: This involves the use of a sequence of numbers that is the addition of the two numbers before it to play effectively.
● The James Bond Betting Strategy: Here, a player can bet in multiples of $200. This is suitable for players that do not gamble frequently.
● The Martingale Strategy: This strategy revolves around players doubling their hands every time they lose.
● The Reverse Martingale Strategy: For this strategy, a player will double their hands when they win. This is best implemented when on a winning streak.
Where Is Roulette Today?
The wheel of fortune is everywhere. You can now access the game from anywhere in the world because of improved technology and innovative gaming development.
Now, you do not need to travel down to the casino to enjoy the feel of a casino. With live dealer roulette, you can interact with dealers and other players by streaming the gaming sessions live from a studio.
Final Thoughts
The wheel of fortune is an ancient pastime. From its various origin stories involving Greek soldiers to the French expeditions and the Chinese culture, up to its introduction to the Americans, it’s a fact that this game has been shaped and re-modified to become one of the well-known traditional casino games. If you are new to casino gaming, you should consider playing this entertaining game for real money.
