Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world – everyone has heard of it. You may be familiar with the game basics, but as it has been around for decades, you could be unaware of some other facts. It is an interesting game with plenty of hidden stories, so why not find them out now?
If you want to learn more about the king of casino games, here are some interesting facts to learn before you play – now, it’s time to become a Roulette expert!
The origins of Roulette
You may enjoy a game of Roulette, but do you know how it began? It was invented by accident in 17th century France by a physicist called Blaise Pascal. He was actually trying to invent the wheel that could rotate forever (the perpetual motion machine) – he failed, but this instead created the Roulette wheel.
Who would’ve thought that an accident created one of the most popular casino games in the world?
The wheel had the same design that Pascal made up until 1851 when the Francois and Lois Blanc brothers added the zero to it, which was made specifically for King Charles III of Monaco.
However, the origins of Roulette aren’t that simple, as many disagreed with Pascal being the original creator. Some have their own theories based on history and anthropology. One is that Roman soldiers would spin chariot wheels in their spare time – between their gruesome battles. They could die on any day, so they weren’t too bothered about unsuccessful bets!
There are so many points in history that some people believe as the original Roulette story, so why not search deeper into the history files and see what other stories you can find?
The most popular number on the wheel
If you’re a fan of the 007 series of films, you would know that 17 is James Bond’s favorite number and that he loves the casino. This is why so many players hold this number in high regard, being the most popular number that is a bet on in Roulette.
Some players give this reason for betting on 17 when they play online Roulette games and in-person games, but another reason is that it’s centrally located on the table.
It’s important to remember that even though players may have their favorite numbers to bet on, Roulette is a chance-based game, so there is no certainty of success.
On the flip side, the least popular number of betting is 13 – in Western culture, it has negative superstitions surrounding it, especially when Friday the 13th comes around. Although this shouldn’t deter you from betting on it, as the odds don’t change based on 13 being an unpopular number – it’s simply up to the random outcome of the wheel!
What’s your favorite and least favorite number to bet on, and will you be trying your chances on the popular number 17 anytime soon?
The toe-operated computer
An odd fact to learn is that a man named Norman Packard wanted to beat Roulette with just his toe in the 70s. He did this by creating a toe-operated computer to predict what area the ball would land – giving him a big advantage over the casino.
It was a success, and he could predict landing spots of spins in his lab; however, it wasn’t as successful when he carried this out in a Las Vegas casino.
With Roulette being a game that has stood the test of time, there are plenty of other wacky facts like this to discover.
California Roulette
When playing Roulette in America, each state has different regulations regarding casino gaming. California’s legislation specifies that a standard deck of cards is the only acceptable way of determining which players are successful.
Roulette machines are banned in California, as they resemble wheels. However, many casinos here have found a loophole to this restriction. Instead, they offer California Roulette, which is played with cards rather than the typical Roulette wheel and ball.
The payouts and odds for this game are the same as standard Roulette – just another one of the many Roulette variations available. So, if you’re planning a trip to California anytime soon, be aware of these rules!
The evolution of the Roulette ball
During Roulette’s early days, the balls used in the game were made out of ivory, which came from animals like elephants. Poachers kill for the ivory from their tusks, which are then traded illegally.
They are banned in many countries now and frowned upon due to where and how they are taken. Thankfully, the Roulette balls today are made from plastic or ceramic, showing a huge shift in how times have changed.
Will the Roulette ball stay the same, or will it evolve even further? Only time will tell.
—
Out of these five interesting Roulette facts, which one surprised you the most?
