Roulette has always been, perhaps since its beginnings, one of the most popular casino games. According to a 2014 USA-based Statista survey, it’s fourth only to poker, blackjack, and, the most popular, slot machines. While roulette is often associated with James Bond, luxurious venues, fancy cocktails and high stake gambling, it can be nothing short of a budget entertainment form.
Nowadays, roulette can be played from the comfort of your home, with almost no effort. All you need is a device connected to the internet. While roulette used to be an activity reserved only for the higher class, currently it’s available to almost everybody. And with more than a quarter of the population gambling regularly, it surely does possess its historical appeal still. So what is it about roulette that it’s so popular?
With its fairly unlikely beginnings in an attempt to create the perpetual machine, roulette was invented back in the 17th century by a mathematician Blaise Pascal. By trying to break the laws of physics, he managed to create one of the most popular casino games. While he failed with creating the perpetuum mobile, he did introduce an idea for a primitive roulette wheel.
Still, back then, it was relatively simple and didn’t even have a zero on the wheel. It wasn’t until 1842 when Lois and Francis Blanc introduced the zero to increase the house’s edge. It was designed for King Charles III of Monaco to help him get out of financial troubles he had at the time. Monaco used to be the capital of gambling at the time, and sure enough, the introduction of the roulette wheel to the citizens worked perfectly. King Charles managed to make lots of money and further established Monte Carlo as the gambling city.
Of course, with the development of the USA, roulette made its way across the pond. Americans decided to further skew the odds in their favour and American roulette was born. This time, instead of one zero, the wheel had two zeroes, making the house edge even higher.
Until the 1970s, the only notable gambling cities were Monte Carlo and Las Vegas. Soon after though, other towns wanted a piece of the pie and chose to build their own venues. With that, the popularity of roulette spread even further.
Roulette is one of the simplest games any kasyno has to offer. Perhaps only giving way to slots, which consist of pressing a button, roulette is still way simpler than poker, baccarat or blackjack. All you do is either bet on even/odds or on a specific number. There aren’t any working strategies for winning in roulette. Sure, there are some cases where some physicists managed to cheat the casino by measuring the initial conditions when the ball was dropped into the wheel, but these are scarce. It’s mostly random, and whatever you do, the odds are against you. Still, it’s entirely possible to come out of a roulette session with a profit, but you need to be lucky.
The ease aspect is undoubtedly one of the biggest contributors to the popularity of roulette. One can jump right into playing with virtually no prior experience and have lots of fun playing.
Nowadays, roulette can be played from the comfort of your home, with almost no effort. All you need is a device connected to the internet. While roulette used to be an activity reserved only for the higher class, currently it’s available to almost everybody. And with more than a quarter of the population gambling regularly, it surely does possess its historical appeal still. So what is it about roulette that it’s so popular?
A brief history of roulette
With its fairly unlikely beginnings in an attempt to create the perpetual machine, roulette was invented back in the 17th century by a mathematician Blaise Pascal. By trying to break the laws of physics, he managed to create one of the most popular casino games. While he failed with creating the perpetuum mobile, he did introduce an idea for a primitive roulette wheel.
Still, back then, it was relatively simple and didn’t even have a zero on the wheel. It wasn’t until 1842 when Lois and Francis Blanc introduced the zero to increase the house’s edge. It was designed for King Charles III of Monaco to help him get out of financial troubles he had at the time. Monaco used to be the capital of gambling at the time, and sure enough, the introduction of the roulette wheel to the citizens worked perfectly. King Charles managed to make lots of money and further established Monte Carlo as the gambling city.
Of course, with the development of the USA, roulette made its way across the pond. Americans decided to further skew the odds in their favour and American roulette was born. This time, instead of one zero, the wheel had two zeroes, making the house edge even higher.
Until the 1970s, the only notable gambling cities were Monte Carlo and Las Vegas. Soon after though, other towns wanted a piece of the pie and chose to build their own venues. With that, the popularity of roulette spread even further.
Here’s why it’s still popular.
The simplicity
Roulette is one of the simplest games any kasyno has to offer. Perhaps only giving way to slots, which consist of pressing a button, roulette is still way simpler than poker, baccarat or blackjack. All you do is either bet on even/odds or on a specific number. There aren’t any working strategies for winning in roulette. Sure, there are some cases where some physicists managed to cheat the casino by measuring the initial conditions when the ball was dropped into the wheel, but these are scarce. It’s mostly random, and whatever you do, the odds are against you. Still, it’s entirely possible to come out of a roulette session with a profit, but you need to be lucky.
The ease aspect is undoubtedly one of the biggest contributors to the popularity of roulette. One can jump right into playing with virtually no prior experience and have lots of fun playing.
Social aspect
Roulette tables are among ones that gather the most players in land-based casinos. Even if you’re just spectating, it’s hugely entertaining to cheer for the players while watching the wheel spin. Maybe the fact that it’s the wheel is so tangible makes it even more appealing. For example, slots, are mostly computer screens and you rarely see somebody cheering for slots players.
Moreover, all the players can bet on the same number, adding even more to the atmosphere. In roulette, you don’t play against anybody but the house. Because everyone has the same chances and the game is based on randomness, it takes the competitive aspect right out of it. It’s much more laid-back than, say, poker or blackjack and you can still win if somebody else wins.
Think about it: a fancy drink, flamboyant company, and a roulette table. If that’s not appealing, then I don’t know what is. Players are constantly coming and leaving, ensuring a mixture of personalities, making the experience even more interesting. Roulette is extremely dynamic as well - you don’t wait long until the next spin.
While you have the option to bet odds/even making you win only your bet, you can wager on the exact number. The multiplier then is 35:1. That means you win 35 times the bet. Whether you’re more of a slow, steady gambler or a risk-taker, the possibilities of a roulette bet will undoubtedly meet your expectations.
Nowadays, amid the pandemic, most casinos are either closed or operate at a limited capacity. If you’re keen on roulette you can gamble anytime you want, virtually from any place. Online gambling has gotten to a point where you can play on your mobile device, or, if you want to get immersed, go for live gambling.
Live gambling is something that more and more casinos offer. It consists of playing on your device with a couple of cameras directed at the dealer and the table. The gambling rooms are mostly a remake of some of the most popular land-based casinos to make the experience even better. The dealer can communicate with you via voice chat, and you can text with other players as well. While it’s surely not the same as visiting a regular casino, it does add to the experience quite a bit. If you prefer to stay home and play from the comfort of your couch, it surely is the way to go.
Moreover, all the players can bet on the same number, adding even more to the atmosphere. In roulette, you don’t play against anybody but the house. Because everyone has the same chances and the game is based on randomness, it takes the competitive aspect right out of it. It’s much more laid-back than, say, poker or blackjack and you can still win if somebody else wins.
It’s stylish
Think about it: a fancy drink, flamboyant company, and a roulette table. If that’s not appealing, then I don’t know what is. Players are constantly coming and leaving, ensuring a mixture of personalities, making the experience even more interesting. Roulette is extremely dynamic as well - you don’t wait long until the next spin.
The possibility of huge payouts
While you have the option to bet odds/even making you win only your bet, you can wager on the exact number. The multiplier then is 35:1. That means you win 35 times the bet. Whether you’re more of a slow, steady gambler or a risk-taker, the possibilities of a roulette bet will undoubtedly meet your expectations.
Online roulette
Nowadays, amid the pandemic, most casinos are either closed or operate at a limited capacity. If you’re keen on roulette you can gamble anytime you want, virtually from any place. Online gambling has gotten to a point where you can play on your mobile device, or, if you want to get immersed, go for live gambling.
Live gambling is something that more and more casinos offer. It consists of playing on your device with a couple of cameras directed at the dealer and the table. The gambling rooms are mostly a remake of some of the most popular land-based casinos to make the experience even better. The dealer can communicate with you via voice chat, and you can text with other players as well. While it’s surely not the same as visiting a regular casino, it does add to the experience quite a bit. If you prefer to stay home and play from the comfort of your couch, it surely is the way to go.
