Choosing the right bet type is crucial to a successful roulette game. There are inside bets, which cover specific numbers and offer higher payouts, and outside bets, which include groups of numbers or characteristics such as color and parity.

The betting layout on the roulette table corresponds to the numbered pockets on the wheel. Each bet type has different odds and risks.

Origins

There are a few different origins for roulette, but the game’s French roots seem most likely. It was first mentioned in 18th century France and it’s thought that Blaise Pascal invented it. He combined a gaming wheel with the Italian game Biribi in order to create it. However, there is also evidence that the game has a much older history. Soldiers were known to play gambling games and one of these involved spinning shields that had symbols written on them.

The word ‘roulette’ is French and means “little wheel.” There are a few different theories about its origin, including that 17th Century French mathematician Blaise Pascal invented it. Others claim that the game originated in China and was brought to Europe by Dominican monks. Regardless of its exact origin, it is clear that roulette was derived from older games such as portique, hoca and bassette.