Roulette Computers: What They Are and How They Function

Roulette is the quintessential game of chance. Virtually no skill is required to walk away with a win, unlike blackjack or poker which require an element of it.

The only input you have is selecting the number you intend to wager on. If you happen to be playing its European or French variants, the odds of the figure you have chosen being the lucky number will be 36 to 1. They're slightly different when it comes to the American version thanks to the presence of a double zero which makes it 37 to 1.

And yet, there are claims of devices which can actually increase your luck and the chances of your walking away with a huge win significantly. But how do roulette computers work and just how valid are those claims?

We examine these miniature gadgets which seem to have all the makings of a game changer for casino fans all over the globe.

An Introduction to Roulette Computers

A roulette computer is a device which observes the movement of the wheel and the ball to determine what number the latter will land on. The prediction is frequently relayed to the player via an earpiece and they must then promptly bet on the selected number (particularly prudent players may bet on those in its vicinity as well).

It is worth noting that electronic products aimed at giving clients the upper hand against the game are by no means new. For a while, stop watches were a popular choice for clients who attempted to predict where the ball would land, resulting in the time pieces being banned by casino operators.

The professor Edward Thorpe who introduced the art of card counting in blackjack, to the world, actually attempted to build an early version of the roulette computer with the aid of Claude Shannon, a fellow academic who worked at M.I.T.

According to manufacturers of roulette computers, the defining feature which sets truly efficient gadgets apart from those which are of poor quality, is their ability to make predictions accurately.

An important point worth considering where they are concerned, is the fact that some may only be suited for use with older wheels. According to experts, the very best of them are capable of functioning perfectly on the wheels currently used by gambling establishments.

Are Roulette Computers Legal?

The legal status of these miniature electronic gadgets depends on the legislation of the country, state or territory you happen to be playing in. In certain European countries using scientific means to get the upper hand against the house is permitted.

However, other countries on the same continent and elsewhere on the globe take a less lenient approach and consider the use of any device to influence a game's outcome to be cheating. However, users of these devices keep them carefully concealed in their clothing or shoes to avoid detection by watchful casino staff.

Experts also warn against using them to achieve winning streaks, especially those involving large sums. This is because there is no faster way to draw the attention of casino operatives who are none too fond of such occurrences.

How Effective Are They?

A number of reports have been made of casino fans who bagged impressive wins thanks to using roulette computers. Significant examples include:

• Lazslo Kovacs' $200,000 win at Australia's Star City Casino: In this instance, the Hungarian national had concealed the miniature gadget in one of his shoes. In order to activate it, he tapped his foot constantly and was able to receive messages from it using a miniature wireless earpiece. However, his winning streak attracted the suspicion of staff who noticed the constant tapping movement the client was making with his foot. Although he was arrested and deported from Australia, Kovacs got to keep his winnings, leaving the country several thousands of dollars richer.
• The £1.3 million operation at London's Ritz Casino: In March 2004, a trio consisting of two men and a woman were arrested following wins of £100,000 and £1,200,000 on two consecutive nights. Their winning streak had prompted the casino staff to closely examine their security cameras after which the police were called in. Further investigation revealed the use of a laser scanner connected to a computer to predict the slot at which the ball would stop. The team was however released and permitted to retain their winnings.

It is worth noting that there are instances of several wins using these gadgets which have not attracted a great deal of attention as casinos prefer not to publicize them.