Roulette Fun Facts and Resources

The last time I played roulette was at the El Cortez, and the minimum was $1.00. Since it was long ago, I wanted to brush up on the game. Yes, I was interested in more than just placing the chips. So here’s what I found – Roulette Fun Facts and Resources.

In New England

In New England, you can find traditional American Roulette in every casino except Plainridge Park, where electronic roulette is available. As far as I know, triple-zero doesn’t exist up here. In addition, you can find stadium gaming roulette in Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, Twin River, and Tiverton.

Roulette Fun Facts

Let’s face it. The roulette house edge of 5.26% on American double-zero roulette tables gives casinos a considerable profit. It provides a predictable long-term advantage to the casino or “house” while offering the player the possibility of a large short-term payout.

Most of the following comes from VitalVegas.com, and I recommend following its author, Scott Roeben. Between his podcast, website, and tweets, He covers Las Vegas with the whacky passion that only Scott can.

Terms – Roulette Terms You Might Not Know

“Mucking” is when a roulette dealer gathers and restacks chips.
A “marker,” also called a “dolly,” is that crystal thing used to mark a winning number.
It’s also worth noting a roulette dealer is also called a “croupier.”
“Canoes” are small devices on a roulette wheel. They give the ball additional obstacles to divert it from a predictable path.
“Frets” are the little walls that separate the pockets on the wheel.

Roulette Chips – Roulette Fun Facts For The Recreational Gambler

Scott writes, “It’s a little-known fact that when pushing stacked chips to players, dealers can’t move the chips in a way that conceals them from the security cameras above. As a result, dealers spend a lot of time practicing pushing stacks of chips. 20 is the standard number of chips in a stack at a roulette table.”

Mr. Roeben continues, “Also, roulette chips have no value away from the table because roulette chips have no set value. Players determine what value a chip will have. Chips can be worth $1, $5, or more, as stated when the player buys in.”

If you see a triple zero roulette table, just run.
Scott Roeben, Vital Vegas

Biribi – The Precursor to Roulette

Biribi, or biribissi (in Italian) or cavagnole (in French), was an Italian game of chance similar to roulette, played for low stakes. Players marked the numbers 1 to 70. Biribi is considered one of many 17th and 18th centuries lottery games.

The players put their stakes on the numbers they wish to back. Then, from a bag, the banker draws a case containing a ticket, the tickets corresponding with the numbers on the board. Then the banker calls out the number, and the player who has backed it receives sixty-four times his stake; the other stakes go to the banker.

Described as “a regular cheats’ game.” Since the collaboration with the bag-holder was presumably widespread, it was prohibited by law in 1837.

Final Roulette Fun Facts For The Recreational Gambler

The most commonly played number on the roulette wheel is 17 for two reasons: 1) its central location on the layout and the number James Bond plays.
Roulette is called the “Devil’s Game” because if you add up all the numbers on the roulette wheel, they equal 666.
The ball is made of Teflon, acetal, or plastic these days. Initially, the balls were made out of Ivory. However, due to endangered species laws, this practice was changed.
Roulette is French. Translated, it means “little wheel.”
Its creation was influenced by Blaise Pascal’s research into a “perpetual motion machine” in the 1600s.
Finally, it’s inappropriate to have your drink with you when you play at the roulette table, unlike blackjack, baccarat, etc. Again, this is considered a big no-no.

Related Post – Ultimate Guide to Casino Chips