Roulette is a game with a variety of betting options that offer different odds and payouts. Regardless of the type of bet you place, it is essential to understand the basics of gameplay before making any wagers.

The croupier spins the wheel and then throws a ball into one of the slots. The winning bets are then paid out.

Variations

While the core rules of roulette remain the same, there are some variations that can affect your winning potential. Some of these include different payouts and announced bets, which are special betting combinations with their French names displayed on the table layout. European Roulette, for example, uses the same wheel as classic roulette games but features a lower house edge of 2.7%. Other roulette variations include Lighting Roulette, which offers payouts up to 500x your bet, and Triple Bonus Spin Roulette, which pays up to 1:12,000 for a straight bonus win. Both these games are available at most online casinos.

Origins

There are many different theories about the origins of roulette. The most popular theory is that it was invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in the 17th century as part of his attempt to produce a perpetual motion machine. Others believe that it is based on the English games Roly Poly and Even-Odd and the Italian game Biribi. The first documented mention of the game was in a published set of gambling regulations for Quebec (or New France) in 1758, which included roulette on a list of banned games.

Another theory is that it comes from a carnival game involving a wheel that was a regular feature of traveling circuses in the 1500’s. The game was then brought to Europe by Dominican monks who had learned the game from Chinese monks who travelled with them.