Take a Spin on Roulette
By J. Phillip Vogel

Fans of history know that all-too-often, discoveries come not by way of pure genius, but rather accidentally while searching for, well, something else. Electricity, X-rays, penicillin, dynamite; these and many, many more remarkable discoveries are nothing more than the product of persistence and timely happenstance.

Odd as it may seem, roulette shares such auspicious company. As the story goes, in the 17th century famed French mathematician Blaise Pascal inadvertently fathered the game while attempting to create a perpetual motion machine. Although his original goal remains elusive to this day, his "small wheel" creation has been thrilling casino gamblers for centuries.

Roulette Basics: Playing the Game

Despite its intricate appearance, roulette is actually one of the easiest casino games to master, online or otherwise. In the game a croupier spins the wheel, which has 37 numbered slots (or 38, depending on which version you play). These slots correspond to the table layout as shown below.

As you can see, the main pockets are numbered from 1 to 36 and alternate between black and red. Notice also that there is a special green pocket numbered 0-and in the case of a U.S. roulette wheel, a 00- that falls outside the general betting field. The game begins when a player makes their selection and places a bet. These bets can be on individual numbers, combinations of numbers, ranges, odds, evens, and colors. Once a wager has been placed, the "croupier" spins the wheel, and then launches the ball into play. In short order the ball drops onto the wheel, with the outcome being determined by the final resting place of the ball-that is, which slot it lands in. The table below describes the various types of bets as well as their payouts.

Variations on a Theme

Considering the enduring international appeal of this game, it's not surprising that there are several variations of roulette with rules based on some combination of traditional and regional preferences. While such variations often result in less favorable adaptations (at least for the player), in the case of roulette it's more of a godsend, especially if you're accustomed to playing in U.S. casinos where the double-zero grinds away the bankroll at a moderately high 5.26%. Thankfully, sites like Fortune Lounge offer each of the most popular variations, affording patrons the opportunity to select their ideal version. Below is a breakdown of the rule differences for each version.

For Better or Worse: Roulette Strategy

For years, gamblers have tried to calculate that perfect strategy to guarantee consistent returns in roulette. While always exciting and occasionally quite profitable, by its very nature roulette is immune to any form of "foolproof" system. Remember, roulette is a game of pure chance; it relies on random action to determine the result, and no legitimate mechanical skill or player interaction will affect the outcome of the game.

A number of insidious little strategies for beating the game have been developed (and sold to unsuspecting players) over the years. One recurring method that has been the demise of many a roulette player is called the Martingale system. This "strategy" calls for players to continuously double up on their even money bets with each successive loss until a win, thereby recovering all previous losses while earning a small profit-the value of the initial wager. On the surface this method sounds feasible but is flawed in practice (it doesn't take too many consecutive losses before you exceed the table limit or have exhausted your bankroll) and inevitably results in crippling losses.

Another strategy frequently cited by roulette players is the Fibonacci system. This method, based on the "Fibonacci Sequence" developed by Italian mathematician Leonard Pisan in 1170, involves a system that calculates a score and action based on the results of previous events. Although not as aggressive as the Martingale system, the Fibonacci system is similar in that it does not alter the outcome and fails to guarantee a profit over time.

In the long run, no "system" will effectively allow a roulette player to overcome the house edge. The best strategy is simply to practice sound money management techniques and to pick the best possible version of the game-that is, the one with the lowest vigorish. And even though it's a tough game to beat, by playing smartly, keeping a tight reign on your bankroll, and by taking advantage of the reduced vigorish games found online, you can often walk away a winner.

SIDEBAR: Roulette Trivia

Double of Nothing Have you ever wanted to risk it all on one spin? In 2004, Ashley Revell of London sold everything he owned and wagered $135,000 on "Red" at a roulette table in the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. He walked away with $270,600.

The Devil Made Him Do It
Legend has it that roulette entrepreneur Francois Blanc (the man responsible for adding the "0" to the game, thus securing the house a profit) sold his soul to the devil for the secret of roulette. Don't believe it? Try adding up all of the numbers of the wheel-the total is 666.

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