Without question, roulette is one of the most popular casino games worldwide, boasting a long and unique history, familiar gameplay, and exciting win potential. Its origins date back to 18th-century France, but over the past couple of decades, it has been re-introduced to a modern audience, capturing new demographics thanks to the advent of online casino sites.
For many, the game’s appeal lies in its simplicity coupled with the thrills that only 100% chance-based gambling can supply. Moreover, roulette features one of the most modest house edges around, at 2.7% for even-money wagers on its European version, making it an alluring proposition for players of all bankroll sizes and experience levels.
While some people likely think they know all there is to know about this impossible casino classic as so much trivia has accumulated regarding this game over its almost three centuries of existence that no one can have caught it all. Non-gambling savvy individuals don’t even probably know the basics, but what gets presented below is a list of five facts that the majority of intermediate casino gamblers may not be aware of. So, here we go.
Roulette Is the Product of a Failed Experiment
According to historical accounts, roulette originated from a failed scientific experiment by the renowned French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal. It is he that historians claim first attempted to create a perpetual motion machine in the 17th century. In this process, he invented this now highly-established game.
Pascal’s initial idea was to develop a machine that could operate indefinitely without any external energy source. He believed this would be a significant breakthrough that could alter the world. Sadly, his attempt was unsuccessful, with the prototype consisting of a series of wheels and gears that should have rotated perpetually but did not.
Despite his failure, this work laid the foundation for the principles of energy conservation and the laws of thermodynamics. Furthermore, the original machine became the basis for the globally known gambling game we now call roulette. Naturally, Pascal did not set its rules, as that came later. He was not even aware of what the use his failed machine would get utilized for.
The Numbers of the Wheel Add Up to 666
Commonly known as the Number of the Beast, this is a figure mentioned in the Christian Bible, the Book of Revelation, that gets designated as the mark of Satan, the symbol the Antichrist carries, the one that will bring upon the Apocalypse. The classic 1970s horror film The Omen presented its link with the Christian apocalyptic prophecy somewhat accurately.
If you take all the numbers on a roulette board, regardless if it is the American-style or European type (zero counts as zero), the total will always reach 666. Though, there is no connection between roulette and the devil anywhere. The meaning of this figure is nothing more than a matter of mythology and superstition.
European Roulette Got Established in Monte Carlo
When roulette originally made its way to the US from France, American gambling establishments almost instantly added another zero pocket to increase the house edge of this gaming pick.
In the 1900s, Monte Carlo venues saw a decline in revenues and began offering single-zero roulette to entice more high-rollers to bet on this game. Over time, this version got attached to it the European label, and this is the iteration featuring the 2.7% casino advantage.
If you need more money on the American variation, try your luck with real money roulette online on European tables to see that it is easier to win on these.
Hitler Lifted Germany’s Ban on Roulette
In 1860, Germany implemented various gambling restrictions stemming from the anti-gaming sentiment sweeping Europe in the mid-19th century since, back then, most Old Continent residents believed it had a corrupting influence on adult males.
The ban stood for seven decades and was lifted in 1993 when the Nazi regime gained power. The National Socialist German Workers’ Party saw gambling as a potentially sizeable revenue stream. And they selected to legalize roulette again, despite Hitler not being a fan of gambling in general.
The choice was made purely on the belief that in doing so, the government could financially benefit from this activity, chiefly by Germany becoming a popular gambling destination for Europe’s wealthy society.
Today, Germany’s casino sector is doing so, with the market getting divided into federal and state levels and online gaming becoming regulated in 2021.
A Number Once Came Up Thirty-Two Times in a Row
Yes, that did happen, and the probability of it occurring stood at one in four billion. The miraculous event transpired in 1943, in Casino de Madrid, when the little white ball landed on the number ten in thirty-two instances in a sequence.
The incident is not legendary and has been the topic of many discussions among gamblers and mathematicians. Speculation about wheel rigging has persisted, with some believing that magnets may have been utilized to alter the ball’s trajectory on every spin. Though, there is no proof to support these theories, as any evidence has not backed all of the claims made concerning foul play.
For readers interested in playing any version of roulette, it is vital to remember that the chances of the ball landing on a particular number reset on every wheel rotation. That is pivotal to remember so that no one falls prey to the gambler’s fallacy, the idea that previous outcomes somehow affect future results.
