Roulette, which means “little wheel” in French, was invented in the 18th century. The game quickly gained popularity across Europe and eventually made its way to America. The current table layout, established in 1842 by Frenchmen François and Louis Blanc, introduced the single zero to the European Kubet wheel, significantly reducing the house edge.
Types of Roulette Wheels
European Roulette
- Numbers: 37 (0 to 36)
- House Edge: 2.70%
European roulette features a single zero, which reduces the house edge to 2.70%. This version is more favorable to players compared to its American counterpart.
American Roulette
- Numbers: 38 (0 to 36 and 00)
- House Edge: 5.26%
American roulette includes an additional double zero (00), increasing the house edge to 5.26%. This version is more common in North American casinos.
How to Play Roulette
Exchanging Money for Chips
In roulette, players do not bet with cash directly. Instead, they exchange money for chips, each player receiving a unique color to avoid disputes. These chips are exclusive to the roulette table and must be exchanged for regular casino chips when you’re done playing.