IMAGES OF THE AMERICAN WEST

Old West Gambling Photo Gallery

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Men stake their wagers on a Roulette game in Reno, Nevada in 1910.

This image available for photographic prints HERE.

The first theory of how Roulette got its start was  when mathematician Blaise Pascal became fascinated with perpetual motion devices way back in 17th century France. Others say that the game was invented by a French monk to help break the daily monotony of monastery life. A third theory also says that the game originated from an old Chinese past time, where players arranged 37 statuettes of animals in a "magic square.”  In any event, the game was popular in Europe by the early 1800’s and soon traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.

These first casinos here added the double zero to the game, further increasing the house odds.  Before long, the game gained such popularity that it was often referred to as the “King of Casino Games."

One legend regarding Roulette tells how Francois Blanc bargained with the devil to invent the game. This stems from the fact that if all the number on the roulette wheel (from 1 to 36) are added up, the total equals “666.”

Also See:

Faro or "Bucking the Tiger"

History of Poker

Legends of America Photo Print Gallery

Historic Cities, Buildings, and Scenes of the American West

Historic Figures of America's Past

Old West Photo Prints

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Saloon Style Advertising Prints - What were on the walls of the saloons in the Old West?  Likely, much of the same as those you find today - advertisements for liquor, beer, and tobacco.  Plus the "decadent" women of the time.  In our Photo Print Shop, you'll find dozens of photographs for decorating your "real" saloon or den in a saloon type atmosphere.