Roulette is a French casino game meaning Little Wheel. It was invented in 18th century France as a way of keeping the aristocracy entertained when they frequented gaming houses. The game spread to the New World with the European settlers, and quickly became popular in casinos.
During this time the European version of Roulette had dropped the second house pocket, or the 00 pocket to attract players and lessen the house edge. Casinos and gaming houses in America did not do this, and continued to offer tables with two house pockets, 0 and 00. This is the major distinction between French or European Roulette and American Roulette.
In some forms of early American roulette the table had the numbers 1 through to 28, plus the two house pockets, 0 and 00, as well as an extra slot that had an American Bald Eagle on it. This brought the house an even bigger edge. The Eagle slot didn’t last very long however, and the wheel soon reverted back to the original two house slots, 0 and 00.
American Roulette Equipment
To play you will require a green felt playing table with the correct markings on it, and a roulette wheel. The wheel contains a small white ball.
The dealer spins the wheel, either by hand or in most casinos mechanically, and the ball spins around the outside of the wheel until the wheel slows down sufficiently for it to fall into a pocket.
How to Play American Roulette
American Roulette is played in the same way that French or European roulette is played. Up to eight players sit around the roulette table, which consists of a wheel and the green felt playing table. All the players play against the house, not against each other. Each player places a bet with different coloured chips, so that they stay distinct from each other. These coloured chips are changed back for cash chips at the end of each game.
The game starts with each player placing their bet on the green felt playing table. Players can bet on any number including 0. You can also place wider bets on either red or black. Once all players have placed their bets, the croupier starts the wheel spinning. Just before the wheel stops, he calls No More Bets.
From then on no one is allowed to place or change their bets. Once the wheel stops, the croupier places a dolly or a marker on the winning bet. Players win the bet by correctly guessing into which pocket the ball will fall, or the correct colour, either black or red. All losing bets are cleared off the table by the dealer similar to what you’ll see in the online https://canadianonlinegambling.net/roulette/.
Where to play American Roulette
American Roulette can be played in many brick and mortar casinos, as well as thousands of online ones. To play in an online casino you will need an internet connection and either a computer or a smart device. Many casinos allow you to play directly from your web browser using Adobe Flash which does not require you to download any software.
If you are using a smart device such as a phone or a tablet, you can download the game via your app store directly on to your device which means that it is always accessible for you to play. Some online and mobile casinos ever offer the game to be played for free money, so you don’t have to put down any real money at all or run the risk of losing it.