Roulette is a game invented in France in the 18th century, and the name means ‘little wheel’ in French. The basic game consists of a spinning wheel with 36 numbered slots in red and black, plus 0 and maybe 00 in green. A ball is spun along the rim of the wheel, and with a loss of momentum eventually falls into a slot. Green numbers pay the house, and a variety of player bets are resolved based on where the balls lands, with bets on red or black, odd or even, and 1-18 or 19-36 paying even money, and more difficult bets paying higher returns. While this is roulette at its most basic and familiar, what are some of the variations of roulette games that have been developed?
Different Sides of the Pond
The first variation of roulette games to arise was American Roulette. Today you will see the terms European roulette and American roulette, but this is a bit of a misnomer. The game was invented in Europe, so European roulette is just ‘roulette’, and its ugly cousin is American roulette. The only difference in the two games is that American roulette sports two house numbers, which gives the casino a higher profit margin and players even worse odds in already net loss game, and lighter pockets as a result. The advantage for the house is doubled in American roulette, so the next time you are in Vegas and have the choice of which type of wheel to play on, leave patriotism at the door–play European.
Canasta
If you travel through Latin America and visit casinos, you will see an occasional roulette wheel. What you will see far more commonly is canasta, which means basket in Spanish. This game consists of a Bingo style hopper, which holds 76 numbered balls in three colors, red, black and green. The numbers include 2 balls each numbered 1 through 36, plus 4 green balls, 2 each of 0 and 00. Does this sound familiar? Oh, wait, it is starting to look like roulette! It is in fact, American roulette. The odds, house edge, and payouts are exactly the same. Just instead of a spinning wheel you have a spinning basket that gives you a randomly generated result of a number and color combination, just like in roulette games.
San Diego Roulette
The state constitution of California has a lot to say about gambling. While not as free on the subject as Nevada, California does allow gambling, just not on games of chance, just games of skill. The legal code of the Golden State declares that in roulette games, a wheel and a little ball alone may not determine the outcome of the game. Since California does allow gambling on cards, casinos in San Diego County have devised many systems involving cards that allow them to offer roulette while still obeying the law. Basically, a 38 card deck is used, and a ball lands on the wheel to decide which card resolves all bets. The odds, edge, and payoffs will remain the same.
Precision wheels used in traditional roulette games are difficult to manufacture and expensive to buy, and some areas frown on this exciting, fun game. Necessity is the mother of invention, and as a result, innovators have come up with ways to offer roulette games pretty much everywhere. Just remember, in an unfamiliar casino, be sure to double check for rule variations before diving in, since even a small change can dramatically alter odds. Remember the American roulette wheel, after all.
