Roulette is a classic casino game that offers glamour and mystery. Its rules are straightforward, but it also provides a surprising level of depth for serious bettors. If you’re looking to win big, correctly guessing where the ball will land when the dealer spins the wheel is a surefire way to make some money. However, it’s important to know the game’s history before betting your hard-earned cash.
Fanciful stories claim that 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal invented the game. In fact, it evolved in France from older games like hoca and portique. In the 1800s, roulette became the rage in gambling dens across Europe. It was not until 1843 that the game took its modern form with a single-zero wheel. This significantly reduced the house edge, increasing its popularity among gamblers.
Before betting, players should set a budget. Each table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets. This will help them choose the right table within their budget. Players can also place a chip on the outside of the table, which offers higher payouts, but is riskier.
After a player has placed their chips, the croupier (that’s what we call the casino dealer) will spin the roulette wheel. The ball then bounces around the wheel until it lands in a pocket marked with a specific number. Players can then collect their winnings and leave the table.
While there are many different types of roulette, European roulette is the most popular in physical casinos and online. This variation has a lower house edge than American roulette, which is why we recommend beginners play it.
The Dozens Bet (Douzaine in French): Place your chip(s) on the first, second, or third dozen of the layout. You are wagering that the winning number will be in one of these groups, not in a red or black slot. The 0 and 00 are not considered part of either group, so if they come up, you will lose your bet. The payout for this bet is 2-1.
Odd or Even Bet (Impair et Pair in French): The name says it all, you’re wagering that the winning number will be odd or even. The 0 and 00 are not even or odds, so if they come up, you’ll lose your bet. This is another even-money bet, with a payout of 1-1.
Straight-Up Bet (Non-French – Passe et Manque): Place your chip(s) on a single number on the layout. The numbers on the roulette wheel are numbered from 1-36; number 1 costs 17 chips and pays 235, while number 2 is a 36-chip bet that pays 392 chips.