Roullete, also known as roulette, is a casino game in which players bet on the number or groupings of numbers, whether they are red or black, odd or even, high (19-36) or low (1-18). It was developed from older games such as Biribi and was first introduced in France in the 17th century. It became popular in casinos and gambling dens throughout Europe. When it made its way to America, the wheel was placed on top of the table to prevent cheating devices and the betting layout was simplified. This led to the American version of the game that is played today.
The roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with thirty-six metal partitions, called frets by croupiers, forming pockets or compartments that alternate between red and black. The compartments are separated by a green division marked 0. A second extra green division is present on the American roulette wheel, which makes the game more expensive to play.
A ball is spun in the opposite direction of the revolving wheel and is released when the croupier announces, “No more bets.” Bets may be made until the ball slows down and drops into one of the compartments. The game’s popularity has resulted in many variations. Players bet against the house rather than each other and can make a variety of bets including single number, various groups of numbers, colors, or odds.
Among the most common bets are on one or more of the dozens (the first 12 numbers, the second tier, or the third). These bets pay out at 2-1 and cover almost half of the wheel. Other bets are on a specific color (black or red) or whether the number is odd or even.
The game is easy to learn and provides a surprising level of depth for serious bettors. The key is to set a budget before you hit the tables and to stick with it. Avoid dipping into winnings for future bets, as this will increase your exposure to the house edge and make it more difficult to win. It is also a good idea to choose crowded tables to help speed up the spins and reduce your exposure to the house’s advantage.