Stories and Curiosities of Roulette

Out of all the table games one can find in any modern or antiquated casino, Roulette is one of the oldest. With a rich history that can be traced back to 17th century France, it’s clear that the ‘little wheel’ has spun a long way in order to arrive at online casino lobbies. It’s no wonder, then, that the game is attached to an entire host of stories, facts, and interesting titbits collected since its origin.

Read on to discover a few of these compelling Roulette curiosities.

Most Common Roulette Bet: The Number 17

Roulette offers players a wide variety of potential betting options. From columns and colour bets to even/odd wagers, dozens, and low/highs, a new choice can be made on each spin. However, out of all available bets, the number 17 is most frequently picked. Does this then mean that 17 is automatically a lucky number on the Roulette wheel? No, but one explanation for the random number being so popular is its central position on the table which draws a player’s eye directly towards it.

In 2012, One Las Vegas Wheel Beat Incredible Odds

Las Vegas is home to some of the most glamorous and glitzy casino destinations in the world, replete with all the table games you’d expect and plenty of slots to boot. In the summer of 2012, an unlikely event happened at one of these Sin City establishments, namely the Strip’s Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. It was here that a Roulette wheel landed on the number 19 for a total of seven straight spins. According to the mathematical probabilities that govern the game, the chances of this occurring are a staggering 114,000,000,000/1.

Physicist Norman Packard & The Toe-Operated Computer

Some geniuses have attempted to beat the ‘little wheel’ over the years, with one of these being chaos theory physicist and University of California Santa Cruz alumni Norman Packard. His venture started in 1976 when he formed a group called the ‘Eudeamons’ on his University’s campus, a team of fellow graduate students who all had one collective mission in mind: beat the roulette wheel by inventing a toe-operated computer. This system was designed to give players an advantage over the house edge by predicting where exactly on the wheel the ball would land. As its name suggests, it was concealed in the sole of a shoe. The details of this curious project, which saw its end around 1981, were later narrated in the novel, The Eudaemonic Pie (1985) by American writer Thomas Bass.

Even Einstein has Commented on Roulette  

When we speak about theoretical physicists, there is no greater name in the field than Albert Einstein. And even the famous mathematician and scientist has had his say about the casino table game. However, contrary to Packard, who devised a plan to outsmart the wheel, Einstein was quoted as saying that the Roulette wheel is virtually unbeatable.  

Roulette is Often Misrepresented in Film

Movie lovers know that Roulette is often depicted in films, sometimes standing alone or alongside other popular casino games like Blackjack and Baccarat. However, because most movies aim to entertain with fictional storylines and dramatic twists/turns, the way in which Roulette is presented isn’t always accurate on the big screen. One example of this can be seen in the all-time classic 1942 film Casablanca where the main character Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, quickly advises a newlywed couple to bet on number 22. The couple agrees and Blaine tells the croupier to spin the wheel. They win, stay on 22, and then go on to win four times in a row.

The James Bond franchise is also no stranger to Roulette, as the opening scene in Diamonds are Forever features Sean Connery’s Bond betting three times on the falsely labelled ‘lucky’ number 17 and winning on the last try. Last but certainly not least, the German romantic-thriller Run Lola Run features a protagonist named Lola, played by Münster-born actress Franka Potente, who is tasked with delivering one thousand Deutsche Mark to her boyfriend in only twenty minutes in order to save his life. Lola decides to bet on Roulette with hopes of obtaining the cash, and lays all her stake on number 22, and wins. Despite the nail-biting entertainment factor of these famous Roulette scenes, the expression ”it’s just a movie” has never rung truer than it does here.

Etiquette is Important When Playing this Casino Game

Many casino games come with their own set of etiquette rules that should be followed when playing, and Roulette is no different. It’s especially helpful for beginners to know these common behaviour guidelines if they are taking a seat at the table for the first time. Firstly, players should buy and cash in their chips between spins so as to not disrupt gameplay. Additionally, players must always communicate their bets clearly to the dealer, and of course, never throw down their chips since this could potentially cause other people’s wagers to move or shift. There are also some general, more common-sense etiquette rules like being considerate and respectful of other Roulette players, as well as voicing bets on time without extended delays. Interesting stories at the Roulette wheel can often originate out of one or several players not adhering to these behaviours.

Roulette Makes Use of Different Chips

If you are new to the game of Roulette, you may not have noticed that the specific chips used in the game differ from others seen around the casino gaming floor. This is purposeful, as standard chips would confuse the dealer and not allow them to see how much each player’s bet is worth. Instead, in Roulette each player (even those playing together) receive different coloured chips so that the croupier can follow which chips belong to which players. 

Online Casinos Offer Most Roulette Variants

The digital era and the major tech innovations that stem from it have allowed online casinos to expand their presence. Nowadays, Roulette is one of the games that has gone completely digital, along with nearly all its variants. Players interested in online Roulette can now choose between the classic French wheel, the American variant with 38 pockets, Auto Roulette, gameshow-style Roulette, and even Live Roulette.

The curious thing about Live Roulette is that it actually takes place in a real casino studio with a real croupier facilitating every aspect of gameplay. This means that players can chat and interact with their dealer as if they were present on a physical casino floor. The elements of both online and Live Roulette will undoubtedly become further advanced as more tech advances are introduced.