Roulette is a casino game that is easy enough for beginners to learn and enjoy, yet has depth and complexity for those who wish to master the rules and win. This classic table game can be found at most casinos that offer table games, and is often one of the first things players try their hand at when they enter a gambling establishment.
The history of the game begins in the 17th century, with physicist, philosopher and inventor Blaise Pascal being credited with its invention. He supposedly created the game in his quest for a perpetual motion machine, but it became a popular pastime for those who wished to test their luck and skills.
Today, the game is played on a roulette wheel that consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with metal compartments or pockets around its perimeter. Thirty-six of these are painted alternately red and black, with a single green pocket (or two green ones on American wheels) marking the zero and 00 slots.
In order to make a bet, players must purchase chips from the dealer (or “croupier”). The dealer will ask the player what denomination they want to designate for each chip. They will then give the player coloured chips to match this value. This helps to distinguish between players and help the croupier keep track of each person’s wager.
The bets that a player can place in roulette are divided into inside and outside bets. Inside bets are based on individual numbers or groups of numbers, while outside bets are placed on larger areas, such as rows, columns or corners. Each type of bet has a different payout.
A Straight Bet: This bet is made by placing the chip(s) to straddle the line between two numbers on the layout. If the ball lands in this bet, the payoff is 1:1. A Street Bet/Three Number Bet/Side Bet: This bet is placed by placing the chip(s) on a row of three numbers. If the ball lands in this bet, it pays 11-1. A Dozens Bet: This is a bet that the winning number will be in the first 12 numbers on the layout, or the second or third dozen. This bet also has a payout of 2-1.
Odd or Even Bet: This bet is known as impair et pair in French. You are wagering that the ball will land on either the 18 odd numbers or the 18 even numbers. However, the 0 and 00 do not count as neither an odd nor an even number, so if the ball lands on these, you will lose.
The house edge in roulette is determined by the presence of the green pockets on the wheel. Therefore, the best option is to play European roulette or – if the casino offers it – the French version that has the en prison rule, which reduces the house edge to just 1.35%.