Despite their fundamental similarities, the historical contexts of American and European roulettes are uniquely defined by their geographical origins.
European Roulette
In its earliest iteration, the origins of European Roulette are most commonly ascribed to 17th century France. While developing one of the most iconic gambling games in history, renowned French mathematician Blaise Pascal has been credited with having invented one of the original incarnations of the roulette wheel as he sought to create a perpetual motion machine. Consequently, the modern version of European Roulette assumed its current form in the 19th century. French brothers François and Louis Blanc incorporated a significant innovation that involved adding a single-zero pocket to the roulette wheel, a modification that served to lower the house edge and in turn ensure the game’s dominance within gambling culture. As the variant began to sweep across Europe, however, it quickly acquired the moniker of ‘French Roulette’, a by-name that attested to the national provenance of the new face of European casino culture.
American Roulette
For separate reasons but in the same period, the echoes of European Roulette reverberated throughout an emergent United States, as the origins of American Roulette were established in the early 19th century. The game was introduced to the New World by European settlers, albeit in a form distinctly different from the version preferred on the other side of the Atlantic; keen to distinguish their own variant from that which already dominated European casinos, proprietors of American gambling houses ostensibly decided that the existing house edge needed little enhancement and that a double-zero pocket should be added to the roulette wheel, the resultant alterations of which would subsequently create a resurgence and adaptation of a game that was now known, rather pointedly, as ‘American Roulette’. The variant swiftly assimilated into the nascent gambling culture of the United States and became the permanent jewel in the crown of the American casino.
The Evolution of Roulette in Modern Times
Virtual Innovation: In the latter part of the 20th century, as the internet began to take over the globe, many a traditional casino game found their way online, and one of the first to effectively use the internet to their advantage was, of course, roulette. Over the years, many variations of the game have also been produced, with new ones coming in from gambling-tech companies every week. Online roulette is no longer just roulette – the online innovations involved in the game include customizable layouts and designs, the ability for players to bet on many different options around the wheel, and online casino roulette video gaming which allows them to play anytime, anywhere. These have revolutionised the gambling world, as well as the experience of gambling, which has led the new age female gamblers (who initially were not interested in this option) to becoming some of the most pro-active online roulette players on the planet.
Mobile Evolution: The development of smartphones and tablets over the last decade opened up whole new demographics of potential players all around the world, and has made on-the-go gameplay easier and more exciting than ever. With the help of mobile casino apps and online roulette site optimisation, disposed players could enjoy a few hands of American or European Roulette on their mobile phones from anywhere in the world; making the switch between the world of virtual and real-world gaming virtually seamless.
Live Innovation: With the evolution of mobile casino gaming, it had become glaringly evident that a new era was well and truly on its way; live dealer games. In 2012, London-based iGaming innovator Betfair first added a live dealer roulette game with a dealer in a real casino, which is worldwide. This thrilling experience is above all – the closest thing you will get to a full-blown casino experience anywhere on the planet. With the very best live dealer games available on iPads and Androids, now is a great time to take up the challenge again.
Due to technological advances and innovations like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), we have seen some fascinating changes in the world of roulette gaming over the last few years. VR roulette simulations totally immerse players in their own virtual environments, while AR can overlay digital elements over the real world to create some truly amazing gaming experiences. These are delivering some fantastic enhancements to both American and European Roulette, allowing for further customization options, enhanced realism, and for players to be able to interact socially.
Regulatory changes, as well as slightly changing market trends, have also had a big effect on exactly what American and European Roulette have become. The legalization of online gambling in various jurisdictions and the relatively recent opening up of markets in both Asia and Latin America have also led to some new and exciting opportunities for growth and of course, change. With blockchain and cryptocurrency’s continued rise to prominence in mind, we have also seen the rise of both blockchain platforms and cryptocurrencies that have continued to make roulette more transparent, secure, and indeed, decentralized.
Odds Differences
There are subtle differences in the games and wheel layouts – but the differences come from the number zero. European roulette, which only has one zero, has a house edge of 2.7 percent, and that figure jumps to 5.26 percent for roulette with both a zero and a double-zero.
Another essential yardstick in understanding the odds comes down to ways in which the player can win, and in consequence, be paid. For example, in European roulette, if a number or color is chosen and the ball lands on zero, the wager neither wins nor loses; it is placed in a “service,” or prison, and the bet remains until the next spin. If the subsequent spin and the initial bet wins, the former wager will be released from prison and will be returned to the player; however, if the same case scenario occurs, the player will lose.
In American roulette, when an even wager is put on for an individual number and the ball lands on zero or the double-zero, the player wins over 35 to one unit. When the player’s wager is lost, the game of roulette takes the wager and the bet is placed on the zero and the double-zero. Its counterparts will welcome the player in and will cash the player’s chips from the spin, but the chips placed on the zero and the double-zero will be lost as they are in the house’s favor.
A few strategies come into play in classic roulette, making a great reference to taking a stroll or hike in the Swiss Alps because it is a mentally-challenging game once a player understands the rules. In European roulette, the player may want to take a reduction in risk by using a “Dozen strategy,” which gives about a 2-1 return from the bets that the player places – but remember, if the ball lands on zero, the player will most likely be more than halfway into the next dozen as this pattern continues.
In classic roulette, though, the player can also choose to take an approach that is a little less conservative -the “small up-as-you-lose system.” The player should start with betting two units on an even wager payout, such as red or black, with the number 18 being the largest in European roulette as a player has a 1-2 chance to win. If the player wins the bet, the player should continue it by starting the same wager with two units and one of the dozens. The finger is pointed at the loss as 16 units are wagered as the player will lose if the ball lands on either zero or double-zero, but the player has wagered more and the game of classic roulette would take 16 units. As the player has lost 32 units, the strategy would seam sacrificial until the player sees the player’s first win exactly at 32 units. The bottom line, though, is that the majority of players who use “European wheel roulette” strategies will win in most cases where the ball lands on zero.
For those who would like to challenge their roulette skills using one of the historical roulette strategies in a fun and friendly manner, or simply would like a refresher course, a solid choice for free European roulette is available for practice. It is one of the best European roulette websites available today for practicing roulette, and is intuitive which makes it perfect for new players or those working on technique. Regulars also love the relaxed environment which allows for friendly chat and good laughs while learning the ropes with other like-minded fans. For European roulette buffs, you’ll also like that it’s 100% mobile-friendly which means that you can enjoy the thrill of roulette from anywhere you can connect to the internet.