Roulette is a casino game played on a wheel with numbered slots and a 0 or double zero (depending on the variation). Players place bets on sections of the table correlating to the numbers they are betting on. The croupier spins the wheel and rolls a small ball into one of the numbered slots.

Origins

The history of roulette is a bit murky. Many people believe that it was invented by Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician who was working on a perpetual motion machine in the 17th century. He failed, but he did develop a wheel with slots that would eventually become the modern roulette wheel.

It is also possible that roulette evolved from other games, such as the Italian game of Hoca and the English ‘Even-Odd’ or ‘Bassett’ games. These games were similar to roulette in that they used a spinning wheel and bets on either red or black.

Regardless, the modern game of roulette was first played in Paris in 1796, and it is believed that the Blanc brothers invented it by eliminating the double-zero pocket from the traditional French wheel. This variant became known as European roulette and is the version that most players are familiar with today.

Variations

Roulette offers a number of game variants, each offering unique rules, payouts, and gameplay. Some of these game variations also offer enticing side bets that can increase the overall payout of a spin. Some of these side bets include predicting specific numbers, wagering on colors, or betting on columns. Choosing a game variant depends on a player’s skill level and experience. Beginners should stick to European roulette that follows the single-zero format with a friendly house edge. More experienced players should try roulette games with special rules and additional bets. Some of these roulette variants also pay out more often than others.