Roullete, the game of chance, is one of the oldest and most popular casino table games. Its simple rules, high payouts and easy-to-understand betting system make it a favorite among gamblers worldwide. But the game also offers a surprising level of depth for serious betters who use a proper strategy to maximize their profits.
Roulette is a game of chance that involves spinning a wheel and predicting the number or type of bet that will win when the ball drops. Bets can be placed on individual numbers, various groupings of numbers, the color red or black and whether it is odd or even. A croupier spins the wheel, and when it stops, the ball rests in a compartment marked with that number or type of bet. If the player has bet on that number or type of bet, they win.
The game originated in France and is named after the French word meaning “little wheel.” During the 17th century, it was developed from older games like hoca and portique by mathematicians Blaise Pascal and by Dominican monks. The modern version of the game is played with a rotating wheel with 36 numbers and a single ‘0’ or double ’00’ on American tables, and a betting layout that corresponds to those slots.
A croupier spins the wheel, which contains numbered pockets that range from 1 to 36. A 37th pocket, painted green (or red on American wheels), carries the sign for ‘0’. The numbering on the wheel alternates between red and black, with the exception of 0 and two adjacent green pockets (on American roulette) which are both ‘zero’ and pay out in the same manner as other numbers when they are won.
Before the dealer starts spinning, players give the croupier their money by placing it on the table and asking for “colour.” The dealer then gives the player coloured chips of the same value, and these are used to place bets during each round. Losing bets are cleared off the table first, and winning bets are paid out.
It is important to know the different types of bets before playing, as each has its own odds of success. It is also a good idea to start with “outside bets” that cover groups of numbers, rather than individual digits. This reduces the house edge, and allows for a larger possible payout.