Roullete is a casino game that features a spinning wheel and numbered pockets where players can bet on specific numbers or groupings of numbers. Players can also bet on whether a number is odd or even, high or low. In America, roulette has the smallest following of all casino games except baccarat, but in Europe it is one of the mainstays of Monte Carlo.
The game’s history dates back more than 300 years, with French physicist and philosopher Blaise Pascal being credited with its invention in the 17th century. He was reportedly trying to create a perpetual motion machine when the game emerged in its primitive form. The modern roulette cylinder and layout first appeared in France a century later.
A croupier stands behind the table holding a small ball and a rotating wheel. The cylinder is made of a static bowl with a rotor that spins inside it, and the outer edge contains colored pockets to which the ball can land when the wheel stops spinning. The wheel has 18 red and black pockets, plus a 0 or 00 (depending on the version of the game), and it can be spun clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Before placing your bets, read the roulette rules posted on the table. There will also be a minimum table-stake amount, and you should always play within your predetermined budget. If you win, cash out your chips as soon as possible to avoid losing them to other players. If you’re playing in a live game, be sure to watch the other players and try to predict their bets. However, this will only give you a slight advantage over your opponents.
Once the ball has stopped spinning, the dealer will place a marker on the winning number and clear off any losing bets from the table. Winning bets will then be paid, and the process repeats. Players use color-coded chips to designate their respective wagers. They do not have the same value as normal casino chips, so it is important to exchange them for value chips before leaving a table.
Roulette tables have a posted minimum and maximum table-stake for all ‘even money’ and ‘all other’ bets. The dealer will also announce when ‘no more bets’ are allowed to prevent any sort of cheating or additional advantages.
In addition to a minimum and maximum table-stake, a standard roulette game will feature a posted house edge percentage. This percentage is based on the odds of landing on a particular number, and differs between European and American roulette, with the latter’s two green pockets increasing the house edge by 1.35%. If a casino offers both types of roulette, choose the European version, which has a lower house edge. Some casinos also offer French roulette with a la partage rule, which reduces the house edge further on outside bets.