Have you ever wondered how one of the most famous casino games came about? Well, this article is going to explain the history behind the gambling favorite – Roulette – and how it has progressed over the years. In the modern-day, the game of chance isn’t just found at land-based casinos, you can also play Paddy’s online Roulette games, offering a range of different themes, characters and even some TV show classics! Read on to find out more.

Where it all began

The classic Roulette wheel we know today, was actually never meant to become a casino game. It was meant to be an invention for a perpetual motion machine. French physicist, inventor and mathematician, Blaise Pascal, wanted to defy the laws of physics and invent a machine that continued to operate without drawing energy from an external source. His experiment failed, and in the process, he created one of the most popular casino games of all time.

The progression of the Roulette wheel

In 1842 Francois and Louis Blanc became the men responsible for removing the double zero pocket – essentially inventing what we know today as European Roulette. At the time, gambling was illegal in France; so the brothers had to find another place where they could promote their game. They moved to Germany to introduce their new Roulette game to the gambling community there. The Germans loved the game and popularity spread like wildfire. Having only one zero pockets in a roulette game causes the house edge to drop to 2.70%. In comparison, Roulette games with two zero pockets have an average casino advantage of 5.26%. The lower odds and the higher return-to-player percentages caused single-zero Roulette to become increasingly popular; and eventually replace the double-zero variation in certain areas.

How does the game work?

Each time you play a game of Roulette; you have the opportunity to be as general or specific with your wagers as you’d like. This means you can make inside bets, outside bets, or a combination of the two. The more specific you are, the greater the potential returns will be. The reason for this is that it house edge will differ depending on the moves you make. For example, a single number bet (straight up bet) can payout 37:1 on a European roulette table. This means, if you win, you’ll receive a payout worth 35X your stake. Conversely, if you bet on red (which is more-or-less a 50/50 wager); you stand to make a 1X profit, if your prediction is correct. Once you’ve considered all of these variables, you’ll well-placed to make the best Roulette bets for you.

The Roulette wheel today

With significant advancements in technology; Roulette has now become one of the most popular games to be played at online casinos. With people being able to play anytime, anywhere, with anyone – the possibilities are endless. As long as you have a stable internet connection, the world is your oyster! Now you know some more about the basics of Roulette and its origin, are you ready to play? Remember you can play at a land-based casino, or online – in the comfort of your own home. Which will you decide?