Roulette is a game of chance in which players place chips on a betting layout at the start of a game. The dealer then spins a wheel and drops a ball into one of the numbered pockets.
Bets can be placed before the game starts and until the dealer announces “no more bets.” Inside bets offer higher payouts but carry a higher house edge than outside bets.
Origins
The history of roullete is long and complex, but the game’s true birthplace lies in 17th Century Europe. It is widely believed that French mathematician Blaise Pascal inadvertently invented roulette in 1655 while working on his perpetual motion machine.
His accidental creation is now considered the first version of roulette as we know it today. However, he probably borrowed elements from other games similar in structure and design that had already been played at least a century before he came up with his invention. These included portique, hoca, bassette and even-odd. Other theories suggest that the game originated in China and was then spread to Europe by Dominican monks. However, these claims have little evidence to support them. Even so, the story of roullete’s evolution is fascinating and still debated.
Variations
The different variations of roulette all have slightly different rules and payouts. For example, some of the more complex games offer extra betting options and special betting rules. Choosing the right roulette game variant depends on your level of experience and skill. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to stick to the classic European version of the game, which features fewer 0s and a friendly house edge.
The other major difference between the different types of roulette is the layout of the numbers on the wheel. Each pocket has a specific size and is positioned next to another number of equal size.
Bets
There are a number of bets available in roulette. The simplest bet is the red or black wager, which covers 18 numbers and pays out at odds of 1 to 1. Other even money bets include High (19 to 36) and Low (1 to 18). A Street Bet is placed by placing chips on a line separating two adjacent numbers. It pays out at 17 to 1 and has the same odds as a Straight Up bet.
