Roulette is one of the classic casino games. It’s easy enough for beginners to play, but also offers plenty of betting options for experienced players as well.
There are many different ways to bet on Roullete, including single numbers, various groupings of numbers, whether they’re odd or even, and the color red or black. Some bets, such as the high and low numbers, or red and black, are considered “inside bets,” while others, like the first, second, and third dozen, are called “outside bets.”
The game begins when the croupier (dealer) clears the table of winning bets from the previous round. He then spins the wheel and throws a ball into it, often declaring “no more bets” before he does so. Then, players watch as the ball bounces around the wheel until it settles into a pocket that marks a number. If you bet on that number, you win.
The roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with thirty-six compartments, alternately painted in red and black, numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. A separate section, painted green, carries the numeral 0. On European-style wheels, there are two green compartments for the double zero, while American wheels have an additional 0 and a 00.
The game of roulette has a long history, and while there are fanciful theories as to its origin, the truth is that it was probably invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Today, it’s a staple of any casino that offers table games. But despite its longevity, it’s still a simple game that relies heavily on chance. And it’s a lot of fun. Especially if you know how to make the most of your chances of winning.