Roulette is a game of chance. It is important to understand the odds and bet types before placing your chips. Outside bets are the best for beginners because they cover a large category of numbers and have a lower house edge than inside bets.

After placing your chips you must give the dealer (or croupier) your money. They will then hand you coloured chips that indicate the value you gave them.

Origins

Exactly how roulette came to be is unknown. There is no consensus among historians. One theory is that the game originated in China and was spread to Europe by Dominican monks. Other theories point to games like roly poly, bassette, even-odd, and portique as precursors to modern roulette.

The word “roulette” derives from the Latin word rotella, meaning little wheel. The name could also be a reference to the rotary motion of a roulette wheel, or it could have been inspired by the circular shape of the gambling table.

Whatever the case, roulette was a popular casino game in Europe until 1860 when it became illegal to gamble in most European countries. Despite this, the Blanc brothers introduced a single-zero roulette variant in order to compete with the existing casinos.

Variations

There are many different types of roulette games. Some have different house edges and pay out at different rates. Depending on your skill level and experience, some variations may be better suited for you than others. For example, if you’re new to roulette, it’s best to stick with the classic European variant that has one zero and offers a friendly house edge. Other variants offer special betting rules and additional bets, such as Key Bet Roulette which gives players the chance to win big prizes.