Roulette is a game that involves guessing what number the ball will land in after it’s spun. Players place their chips on a betting mat and, after the wheel is spun, winning bets are paid according to fixed payouts.

The roulette wheel consists of a solid disc slightly convex in shape and with thirty-six compartments alternating red and black, plus one green numbered zero (on American tables there is an extra green 00). Each bet type pays differently.

Origin

There are many stories about the origin of roulette, but the most widely-accepted is that it was invented in 17th century France. It was first mentioned under its current name in Bordeaux in 1716, and the game quickly gained popularity amongst casino and gambling houses. Roulette may have originated from the French board games hoca and portique, but it is also possible that it was inspired by the Italian game biribi. In any case, the game spread to Europe and eventually made its way to America. The game is still a staple in casino and gambling rooms today.

Some people believe that the game is based on an ancient Chinese board game that involved arranging 37 animal figurines into a magic square with numbers totaling 666. Others claim that the game was invented in China and brought to France by Dominican monks, where it was modified and then introduced to Europe.

Bets

There are a number of different wagering options available on roullete. These include inside bets (such as voisins du zero, or the 17 numbers that are closest to the zero on the wheel), and outside bets (such as le tiers du cylindre or the 12 numbers on one side of the wheel). Outside bets tend to have lower payouts than those on the inside. Other bets, such as the split bet or cheval, involve placing chips to straddle the line between two numbers on the roulette layout. This is a riskier wager and pays 17-1 if you win. The street bet is another option that offers similar odds but a different payout.