Roulette came to the United States some time during the 1800s. It was first introduced in New Orleans by the Frenchmen who settled in Louisiana.

Greed Takes Over

Whereas in Europe the wheel was revised to give the players better odds and reduce the house take, American gambling establishments were greedier. Some places, although certainly not all, revamped the wheel so it was reduced to 31 pockets. This changed the house’s advantage from a 5.26% edge to one of 12.90%.

This greediness nearly killed the game in the United States, as people stopped playing when their chances of winning were reduced so dramatically. The only version of the game that people consented to play was the original double zero version.

When the Gold Rush and the migration west hit America, miners and pioneers brought roulette with them, and its popularity began to return as it moved away from the scam artists of the river region and into the Wild West.

During World War II, soldiers discovered games like craps and blackjack, and after the war, the popularity of roulette began to diminish again. It is still a casino staple, however, and retains its status as the oldest casino game.

America’s Version of the Game

Roulette in America is a slightly different game from the European version.

The American roulette wheel contains 38 pockets, numbers 1 through 36 plus zero and double zero (the European game eliminated the double zero). The addition of the extra number gives the American casinos a higher return in profits.

The type of chips used in the American game is different, as well. In American casinos, gamblers are given different colored chips so each player can keep track of his or her bets and winnings more efficiently.

Playing the Game

Players place their chips on the table, trying to predict where the ball will stop on the wheel. The wheel is spun in one direction while the ball is spun in the opposite direction. Bets may be placed up until the moment the dealer announces no more bets. The slot in which the ball drops is the winner. Bettors with that number and/or color are winners.

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