Roulette is a game of chance played with a revolving wheel that has divisions marked red and black, plus one or two green zero pockets. This game has many legends surrounding it and some people believe that it’s impossible to beat the house edge.
Players make bets by laying chips on the table before the ball is spun. Each type of bet has a different payout. The odds of winning a straight bet are 1 in 37.
Origin
There are a few different theories about the origin of roulette. Some people believe that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal as part of his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. Others claim that it was based on the Italian board game biribi. The latter story makes more sense because the game featured a wheel with numbered pockets and a betting grid that was very similar to modern roulette.
Other games that could be considered precursors to roulette include portique, hoca, bassette, and roly poly. However, the game gained popularity in 18th-century France and it became a staple at gambling houses. As more Europeans moved to America, they brought with them roulette and other popular gambling games. This led to its eventual spread around the world.
Variations
Some roulette variations have additional betting options or special rules that can affect the game’s house edge. For example, Key Bet Roulette offers additional inside and outside bets that pay out if both balls fall in your selected areas, while Double Action Roulette uses two wheels arranged in concentric rings to offer double payouts on some of the game’s bets. Other notable games include Lighting Roulette from Evolution Gaming, which has a high payout of 1:12,000 for straight bonus wins, and Triple Bonus Spin from IGT, which offers multiple multipliers for each bet placed. The type of roulette variation you choose will depend on your level of experience and skill.
