The History of Roulette

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, though it doesn’t draw as many players as video poker, blackjack, or craps. Nevertheless, it still attracts large crowds at Monte Carlo and other European casinos.

The game is based on luck and there’s no real strategy that can help you win at roulette. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of winning.

Origin

There are many theories about the origin of roullete, from the unlikely claim that it was invented by a 17th-century French mathematician who was trying to create a perpetual motion machine to the more plausible story that it was brought to Europe from China by Dominican monks. However, the most likely explanation is that the game originated from a number of old European games such as hoca and portique, which were played with chips on a table or board, with bets made by spinning shields emblazoned with symbols, similar to those found in modern roulette. Similarly, Roman and Greek soldiers often played gambling games that were fairly similar to roulette, with shields that had symbols on them being spun by an arrow. These games also influenced the roulette cylinder that became a mainstay in casinos and other gambling establishments.