Roulette is a game of chance that involves spinning a ball on a rotating wheel. Players place bets on numbers and sections of the wheel by placing chips on a betting mat. The precise placement of the chips determines the bet.

There are two main types of bets: inside and outside bets. Each type has different odds of winning.

Origin

There are a few different theories about the origin of roulette. One is that it was invented by the 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal as part of his attempt to create a perpetual motion machine. Another is that it was based on a Chinese game that was introduced to Europe by Dominican monks. This version of the game was similar to modern roulette, as it featured a wheel with numbered pockets and bets on red and black.

The modern roulette wheel has 38 (or 37 on European/Latin American tables) pockets, arranged in three rows of 12 with alternating red and black. Players place their bets by laying down chips on a betting mat, the precise placement of which indicates that a particular bet has been made.

Bets

Roulette is one of the few casino games that offers players a wide range of betting options. These bet types are categorized by their odds and payouts. Outside bets offer a higher chance of winning, while inside bets have much lower ones. The Dozens bet, for instance, pays 2-1 on any of the first 12, second or third dozen numbers. Other examples of outside bets include the Columns and Line Bet (known as Sixline in French). The latter consists of placing your chip(s) to straddle a line between two rows on the table, with each set including three consecutive numbers.