Roulette is a casino game that involves spinning a ball around a wheel and placing bets on the color red or black, odd or even, and high (19-36) or low (1-18). There are many betting systems that claim to beat the odds of the game.

Before a spin, players give their money to the dealer and ask for “colour”. The dealer then gives them coloured chips valued at the table’s minimum bet.

Origin

The origin of roulette is a mystery. Some believe it was invented in 17th century France by Blaise Pascal, a math wizard. Others say it originated in ancient China and was brought to France by Dominican monks. Regardless of its true origins, it has remained a popular game throughout the centuries. A wheel like the one pictured below is spun, and players place bets by placing chips on a betting mat. Each chip has a different color and symbol, which correspond to various bets. When the ball comes to rest, it will land in one of 38 (or 37, if you use modern European/Latin American tables) divisions around the edge of the wheel.