The game of roullete is all about correctly predicting which number the ball will land on after it’s spun around the wheel. Players place their chips on individual numbers or groups until the croupier says ‘no more bets’.

A roulette wheel has 36 numbered pockets, alternately red and black (plus the 0 and 00 on American wheels). Bets can also be placed on colors, odd or even numbers or high or low.

Variations

Although the basic rules and payouts of roulette are the same across variants, some small differences between games can make a difference. For example, Double Ball Roulette amplifies the action by using two balls and doubling the number of possible outcomes per spin. This variation also offers higher payouts on outside bets. Key Bet Roulette goes a step further by expanding betting options with novel features that can multiply winnings by up to 100x.

French Roulette is another variant that combines the classic design of European Roulette with player-friendly rules like La Partage and En Prison to cut the house edge on even-money bets in half. The game is a popular choice for players who value strategy and tradition. It is also easy to learn and understand, making it a great option for beginners.

Origins

Although roullete has French roots and is played on a traditional table, the game itself is not as old as you might think. Various theories surround its origins, most of which are unproven but nevertheless interesting. One of the more popular claims is that it was invented in its basic form by 17th-century French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal as part of his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. Other stories assert that it was derived from the older games hoca and biribi. The latter makes a bit more sense as it was a popular board game in Italy that made its way to France in the early 18th century.