The Basics of Roulette

Roulette is a game in which a small ball rolls around a revolving wheel until it stops in one of the compartments. It is a gambling game with a wide range of bets that pay off at different odds.

Outside bets are broader wagers that cover an entire category of numbers. They offer a lower chance of winning, but also pay out more often.

Origin

The history of roulette dates back more than 300 years. It is said that the game was invented by French physicist Blaise Pascal, who was trying to create a perpetual motion machine and ended up coming up with a wheel with numbered slots and red and black backgrounds, very similar to modern roulette wheels. During the 1700’s, roulette became popular among the upper class of France and was played in their gambling houses.

Another theory is that the game originated in China and was brought to Europe by Dominican monks who traveled throughout the country. In any case, the game soon spread to other parts of the world and has been played ever since in many casinos and gambling houses. It is now one of the most popular casino games in the world.

Variations

Roulette has several variants, which can offer new features and different payouts. These changes are not necessarily intended to improve the odds, but can make the game more pleasant and add a degree of variety to it. For instance, Key Bet Roulette by Evolution Gaming ventures off the beaten path and expands betting options with novel features, while Lighting Roulette offers multipliers that can increase winnings. The house edge of these games is slightly lower than the standard payouts of classic roulette.

Bets

The roulette table has a lot of different bets to choose from. The most common are the Outside Bets, which pay out 2-1. These are the bets that cover a number of numbers on the roulette wheel, and are marked with their own section on the betting grid. These include the Dozens, Columns, and Corners bets. Another popular bet is the Split, which pays 17 to 1 if you correctly predict both numbers on which you’re placing your chips.