Who invented roulette?

The modern version of roulette was invented in the late 18th century by French inventor and mathematician Blaise Pascal.

Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher who is best known for his contributions to the study of geometry, probability theory, and fluid dynamics.

In the 18th century, Pascal became interested in the concept of perpetual motion, which is the idea of creating a machine that would continue to operate indefinitely without any external energy input. Although the perpetual motion is impossible according to the laws of physics, Pascal believed that he could create a machine that would come close to achieving this ideal.

Pascal began working on a design for a perpetual motion machine, which involved a spinning wheel that would continue to turn indefinitely. Although he was never able to build a working machine, Pascal's design for the wheel became the basis for the game of roulette.

The original version of roulette, which Pascal called "Roly Poly," involved a spinning ball and a circular playing surface with numbered pockets. Players would place bets on which pocket the ball would land in, and the winner would receive a payout based on the odds of their bet.

Over time, the game evolved to include new roulette betting options and variations, and it became one of the most popular casino games in the world. Even though Pascal's perpetual motion machine was never built, his contribution to the world of gambling has had a lasting impact on popular culture.

The First Roulette

The first roulette wheels had 36 numbered pockets, and the game quickly became popular in France. In the mid-19th century, a second zero pocket was added to the wheel, which increased the house edge and made the game more profitable for casinos. This version of the game became known as "American roulette," while the original version with a single zero pocket became known as "European roulette."

Roulette was introduced to the United States in the early 19th century and quickly became a popular game in casinos throughout the country. Over time, the game evolved to include new betting options and variations, and it remains one of the most popular casino games in the world today.

Why there are two versions of Roulette?

When roulette was introduced to the United States in the 19th century, the game underwent some changes. One of the most significant changes was the addition of a second zero pocket on the wheel, which increased the house edge and made the game more profitable for casinos.

This version of roulette became known as "American roulette." The original version with a single zero pocket, which was popular in Europe, became known as "European roulette."

The reason for the addition of the second zero pocket in American roulette is not entirely clear, but it is believed that it was done to increase the profitability of the game for casinos. The extra pocket increased the house edge from 2.7% in European roulette to 5.26% in American roulette, giving casinos a higher advantage over players.

Today, both versions of roulette are still played in casinos around the world. While the basic rules of the game are the same, there are some differences in the betting options and the layout of the wheel. European roulette is often considered to be the more player-friendly version of the game due to its lower house edge, but American roulette remains popular due to its fast-paced action and exciting betting options.

Roulette in the 21. century

There are several modern versions of roulette that are popular today, including online roulette and live roulette.

Online roulette is a digital version of the game that is played over the internet. Players can access online roulette games from their computers or mobile devices, and they can play against a computerized random number generator (RNG) or against other players in a live dealer format. Online roulette games come in various formats, including American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette.

Live roulette, on the other hand, is an interactive version of the game that is played with a live dealer. In live roulette, players use their computers or mobile devices to connect to a live stream of the game, which is being played in a studio or at a casino. The dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball, just as they would in a traditional casino, and players can place their bets in real-time using a virtual interface. Live roulette games come in various formats, including American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette.

Both online roulette and live roulette offer players the convenience of playing from their own homes or on the go, and they offer a range of betting options and variations to suit different player preferences. However, it's important to note that online roulette games use RNGs to determine the outcomes of the spins, while live roulette games use physical wheels and balls, which some players prefer for a more authentic casino experience.