Roulette is a casino game where players bet on which numbered compartment of a revolving wheel a small ball (spun in the opposite direction) will come to rest in. It is played worldwide.
Roulette is one of the more beginner-friendly table games. It is fast, exciting and has a number of betting options.
Gameplay
Roulette is a game of chance in which players place bets on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the color red or black, and whether a number is high (19-36) or low (1-18). It’s possible to lower your risk by betting on outside options with higher payouts or take more risks and try for a bigger jackpot.
Once all bets have been placed using coloured chips, a croupier halts the betting and spins the wheel. When the ball comes to a stop in one of the slots, the croupier announces the result and collects losing bets. Each game offers a different set of betting limits, which allows players to play at tables that better match their expectations and bankroll. The minimum and maximum bets are displayed on digital signs on each table.
Rules
In roulette, players place bets by laying down chips on a betting mat. The precise placement of the chip determines the bet being made. The game was invented by Frenchman Blaise Pascal, who was studying probability at the time.
There are several different types of wagers in roulette. Some are called inside bets, while others are known as outside bets. Each has a different probability of winning and offers varying odds. Inside bets include street, corner, straight up and split.
Outside bets are placed on the red/black, odd/even, and high/low numbers. They have a lower chance of hitting but pay out more money. Players can also bet on a grouping of numbers, such as the first, second or third dozen. The odds for these bets vary from 1:35 to 1:1.
Payouts
There are a number of different payout options for roulette players. Some are called inside bets and others are outside bets. Inside bets have a lower probability of winning, but they offer higher payouts. Outside bets are based on groups of numbers, and they usually pay 1:1 or 2:1.
Regardless of the type of bet you make, it is important to keep track of the game’s limits. These are typically posted on the table and reflect the maximum stake for a single number “straight up” bet.
Once all bets have been placed using colored chips, the croupier halts betting and spins the wheel. The ball then falls into one of the slots and determines which bets receive a payout. If you win a bet, the winnings are paid out immediately.
Variations
While European and American roulette remain the most popular versions of the game, online casinos are introducing new variations of this classic wheel and table game. These variations can be based on the layout of the wheels and tables, betting options, and payouts.
For example, Multi-Wheel Roulette from Playtech offers a different take on the game by spinning six wheels at once. Despite this difference, the game follows the same rules as European Roulette. Another variation is Mini Roulette, which uses 13 pockets instead of the usual 37 or 38. It also supports conventional inside and outside bets that pay out at their typical odds.
Players can also try Double Ball Roulette from Felt Gaming. This game uses a standard European Roulette wheel but with two balls for twice the fun.
Origins
Modern roulette originated in the 1600s, a time of invention and mathematical research. However, the exact origin of this popular casino game is a bit murky.
Physicist and inventor Blaise Pascal was the first to experiment with this wheel of chance. He wasn’t looking to invent a casino game, but instead, was trying to build a perpetual motion machine.
It is thought that a similar game called Roly Poly may have been an ancestor of roulette. This was a game of equal chances which had a 20 even/odd section and a portion of these sections for the house. It seems to have been banned by 1745. It is not known if the French single zero version of roulette developed from this or whether it was replaced by E.O.