If you’re an even slightly experienced casino player, then you are probably familiar with the roulette table. As one of the most popular gambling games worldwide, Roulette can be found almost anywhere, from your humble local pubs to the most grandiose casinos in Las Vegas and Monaco.
If you’re thinking of hosting a fun casino evening, then a night with a roulette table should definitely be on your list! Because it is very easy to play, hiring a roulette table and dealer will encourage your guests to participate and keep them engaged for the rest of the evening.
Here are three facts that you may not know about roulette, and why it’s a classic addition for your night of casino and fun.
Roulette is the Product of a Failed Science Experiment
In 1655, famed French physicist, inventor, and mathematician Blaise Pascal was trying to invent a perpetual motion machine, which is an object that would continue working without an energy source. However, like countless scientific minds before and after his time, he failed.
Instead, what emerged from his work was the roulette, which is French for “little wheel.” How the simple wheel invented by Pascal evolved into the simple, yet addictive, betting game that we know today is lost to history. However, Pascal did invent the basics of probability, which plays a very big role in understanding the mechanics of roulette.
The King of Monaco Used Roulette to Support His Kingdom
The story goes that the King of Monaco Charles III was dealing with financial issues due to decades of civil war. As a way to generate cash, Charles III legalised gambling and erected the Casino de-Monte Carlo in 1863, a high-end casino that is still operating to this day.
To attract more players to the Casino de-Monte Carlo, entrepreneurs and casino operators François and Lois Blanc lowered the house edge by introducing and exclusively using a single-zero roulette wheel. Before that, most places used roulette wheels that had both double and single zeros.
The Double Zero was Added Back in America
Roulette sailed across the pond to America thanks to French immigrants in Louisiana. Unlike their European counterparts, American casinos believed in raising the house edge. Apart from including both single zero and double zeros in the wheel, Americans also added the symbol of an American Eagle.
This American Eagle symbol raised the house edge to as much as 12.9%, which is also the reason why the practice fell out of use almost immediately. However, the American casinos still wanted the extra edge, so the American version of the roulette today is still played with an extra double zero, giving it an edge of 5.26%, as opposed to the European version which only has 2.7%.
Bonus Fact: Past Spins Don’t Change the Odds
There’s no realistic, practical way to get an edge at roulette. A handful of players have managed it over the years, but it isn’t something the average person can learn. (If you want a strategy anyone can learn, card counting in blackjack is the closer bet.)
Most players try to get an edge with a betting system, raising and lowering their stakes based on previous results on the wheel. The problem is that past results have no effect on the probability of future ones. That feels wrong, but it’s how the maths works.
Say the ball has landed on black five times in a row. What’s the chance it lands on black on the next spin? On a European wheel there are still 18 black pockets out of 37, so the probability is still 48.65%. The previous spins haven’t changed it.
It feels counter-intuitive because six blacks in a row really is unlikely. But you’re not betting on six in a row. You’re only ever betting on the next spin. That’s why our live roulette display showing “hot” and “cold” numbers is such fun to watch at events: it makes a great talking point, even though the wheel has no memory.
Conclusion
Roulette is a relatively simple game that is a staple of casinos in Europe, the US, and elsewhere. If you’re still on the fence about doing so, hiring a roulette table for your wedding, birthday, or any other fun casino-themed celebration is a good idea! With the relatively easy mechanics, your party guests will be entertained by a trained croupier who will act and speak like if the game were being played in a real casino.
Are you looking for an easy and fun way to organise a casino night in Bath? Fun Casino Fun is the solution you need! Our services are great for Casino-style 21st birthday parties, weddings, and other events in the UK. Book us today to learn more about our packages and deals!
We also have other games on offer too such as Roulette and 3 Card Brag.
