Alongside Blackjack and slot machines, Roulette is one of the most iconic and well-known casino games all around the world. The sound of the ball going round and round, bouncing, and dropping onto the wheel, and hopefully on your lucky number.
Everyone can picture a Roulette wheel even if you’ve never been to a casino before. It is often a fixture in casino scenes in popular media, from James Bond playing in Diamonds Are Forever to the Roulette scene in Casablanca.
It’s this sense of spectacle and dynamic movement, and the suspense of watching and waiting to see where the ball lands that can make Roulettes so popular, often one of the busiest tables in the casino, but there are many other complex reasons too. We wanted to have a look at why Roulette is popular, as well as how to play.
A Brief History of Roulette
First, let’s have a quick look at the history of Roulette. The Roulette wheel was invented in 1655 by a French physicist, inventor, and mathematician named Blaise Pascal, who wasn’t trying to invent a new game but to develop a perpetual motion machine!
The laws of physics say that perpetual motion is impossible, and it has long been the ‘alchemy’ of physicists and engineers alike. Pascal failed at his attempt, but it gave birth to the popular casino game.
It first appeared in the US in the 19th century, when European settlers arrived in Louisiana. American casino managers wanted a local version of the game, leading them to add the ’00’ pocket, giving the house a slight advantage over the original French Roulette.
But players didn’t seem to mind this, and American Roulette quickly become a far more popular version in the US, perhaps due to the patriotism of American players!
Simplicity
Compared to games that involve a lot of rules and knowledge such as Poker, Baccarat, or even Blackjack, Roulette is so very simple to understand and for casino newbies to pick up. Our friendly dealers and croupiers are always ready to explain how to play and welcome Roulette beginners to the live tables.
At Coral Island Casino, we play American Roulette (we will have a more detailed look at how to play below), where there are 38 numbered pockets around the wheel, from 0 to 36, and a green pocket marked 00. European Roulette has 37 pockets, and a different rule for when 0 comes out, and is typically the version seen in online casinos.
At its most basic level, you choose the number you would like to bet on, place your chips on the table, and the dealer releases the ivory ball that spins around the Roulette (French for ‘little wheel’), which eventually lands on a number. If that number is yours, then you’re a big winner! Otherwise, bad luck, try again!
Seasoned gamblers might prefer to have a little more control over their game instead of leaving it chance and prefer to play something like Poker or Blackjack, but for casual casino visitors who do not have time to learn all the rules of a game, Roulette is perfectly accessible to all.
The Social Factor
One aspect of Roulette that can set it apart from the rest is an emphasis on social togetherness. The live Roulette tables can often be the noisiest area of any casino, with crowds cheering each other on. Players play against the house, not against each other, and different players can make the same bet, accenting the communal spirit of the game. Everyone shares a common goal - beating the house!
Exciting and Exhilarating
The slot machines can come close, but the dynamic nature of Roulette, the camaraderie and social experience, and the suspense make Roulette one of the most eye-catching and exciting games in a casino. It’s a fast-paced game, and bets start from as little as £1 at Coral island Casino.
Sitting across from a dealer with a hand of cards, with other players eyeing each other up suspiciously can sometimes feel a little dull and slow in comparison, especially for casual casino visitors, so why not try a spin on the Roulette wheel next time you visit?
How To Play American Roulette
As mentioned, the wheel in American Roulette has 38 pockets, numbered 1 to 36, 0 (Zero), and 00
(Double Zero). It’s the 00 that differentiates the American version from others. In the US, Roulette is the most popular casino game after Blackjack.
The aim of the game is to try and predict in which pocket the ball will land. There are two types of bets you can play - inside and outside bets.
Inside bets are generally the most exciting because they pay more. Placing a bet on a single number will pay out 35 times your stake - the biggest bet possible. Keep in mind that each Roulette table will have its own betting limits, and your dealer will be able to tell you what they are. The minimum bet at Coral Island Casino at the Roulette table is £1.
You can buy chips from the dealer, which are then used to place a bet. You can place your chips on a single number or a series of numbers. The dealer will as players to place their bets, before spinning the wheel in one direction and throwing the ball in the opposite direction. Players will then have approximately one minute to place their chips on the layout.
As soon as the dealer says ‘No more bets!’, players are unable to place any more chips on the table. When the ball finds its pocket, the dealer calls out the winning number, removes losing bets from the table, and pays out winning bets, before starting all over again!
American Roulette Bets
Inside bets pay the most, and you can place a bet on one or several numbers with a single chip. A winning outside bet can double or even triple the gains.
Inside bets
Outside bets
Column: Using the ‘2 to 1’ section at the bottom of the layout, bet on a vertical 12-number section, which pays out 2 to 1
Dozen: Place your chip on the 1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12 sections to bet on numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36, respectively, for a 3 to 1 payout
Red/Black: The most popular bet in Roulette, simply betting on the colour, which pays out 1 to 1.
Odd/Even: A bet on odd or even numbers, with a payout of 1 to 1, although note that even bets will lose on Zero.
Low/High: Bet on numbers 1 to 18 or 19 to 36, for a 1 to 1 winning payout.
Over 18s only, and if you look under 25, then be prepared to show your proof of age. www.begambleaware.org
Why don’t you visit Coral Island Casino when you next visit Blackpool and discover why American Roulette is such a popular and exciting game?
Check out ‘what’s on’ in Blackpool and at Coral Island Casino.