Roulette is a casino game in which players bet on which red or black numbered compartment the ball will land in after the wheel spins. Those who win bets receive a higher payout than those that lose.

Before you play, brush up on the different bet types and their odds. Inside bets cover individual numbers, while outside bets cover larger categories of numbers.

Origin

Roulette is a game that has been around for over 300 years. While there are several theories regarding its origins, the majority of them point to 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal as the creator of modern roulette. He is believed to have inadvertently developed the game as part of his attempts to develop a perpetual motion machine.

The wheel that he created eventually became the centerpiece of Paris’ gambling scene in the 18th century. The game grew in popularity throughout Europe. Some believe it was inspired by Chinese hoca and portique, while others say it was brought to France by Dominican monks. Other influences are attributed to English Even-Odd and Italian board games such as Biribi and Hoca. However, by the mid 1800s, encyclopaedias were describing the game with 38 slots and not E.O.

Bets

There are various betting options available on roullete, including outside bets. These bets are based on the final digit or exact number of your choice, and they pay out at 35:1. Some examples include the Red or Black bet (which is a simple wager on whether the winning number will be red or black) and the Dozens or Columns bets, which are also placed as straight up bets.

Another bet is the Street Bet, which pays out at 17:1 if you make a correct prediction and the ball lands on one of the three numbers you’ve indicated. Players place their chips on the line separating outside and inside bets to place this bet. Other bets include Voisins du Zero, Jeu Zero, and les Tiers du Cylindre.