The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is a casino game in which the player places a bet on one or more numbers. The ball is spun around a revolving wheel and when it comes to rest, the number or grouping of numbers on which the bet was placed wins. Bets may be made on a single number, various groups of numbers, the colors red or black, or whether the numbers are odd or even. Despite its simple rules, the game offers a surprising level of depth for serious players and can yield high rewards.
The game of Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since its 17th century origins. Originally, it was a game for the upper classes but is now available to anyone who wishes to play. Although the odds are marginally against you, with a bit of luck and the right strategy you can improve your chances of winning big.
Before the wheel is spun, people place bets on what number will come up by laying down chips on a special betting mat. This table is typically marked with French terms for the bets and with specific locations for each bet type. If you are a beginner, start by placing your chips on the outside bets (groupings of numbers instead of individual digits). These bets pay out at lower odds and are more likely to hit.
Once the bets are placed, the dealer spins the wheel and the ball is dropped in the opposite direction of its travel into a compartment on the Roulette table that corresponds with the number or groups of numbers being wagered on. The wheel has thirty-six compartments that are alternately numbered in red and black, and on European wheels, there is an additional green zero and two extra green pockets on American roulette wheels.
While there are fanciful stories of the origins of the Roulette game, including the invention by the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal and a Dominican monk, the truth is that it was derived from older games such as hoca and portique. It achieved its current layout and structure around 1790, when it became a leading attraction in casinos and gambling houses of Europe. Today, it is played in most casino establishments worldwide and is also popular online. You can find the best roulette games for US players at the top online casinos. Many of these offer a real-money version of the game with a human dealer in a real casino setting. The game is also available for free at many of these sites. This is a great way to learn how the game works and to practice before wagering any money. This is particularly true of live dealer roulette games where you can interact with a real-time dealer in a virtual casino.