Roulette is a casino game in which you place bets on a series of numbers. The winning number is determined by the placement of a ball on a spinning wheel.
Several fanciful stories have been written about the origin of this game, but most agree that it was invented in France during the 17th century. It is believed to have merged elements of Roly Poly and Even Odd, two games in which players bet on the result of a spin of the wheel, with Biribi, an Italian game in which the player pulls out a numbered ticket from a bag.
The most basic version of the game consists of a wheel that revolves around a bowl. A ball is spun around the wheel until it rests in one of the divisions, indicating the winner.
There are 36 compartments around the rim of the wheel, each coloured red and black and numbered from 1 to 36. A 37th compartment, painted green, carries the sign 0 on European wheels and 00 on American ones.
On a modern roulette wheel, the most common bet is on a single number. This bet pays out 35 to 1.
A bet on the wheel itself is also possible. This is usually limited to a few dozen spins on a computerized game, but may be available in live dealer or land-based casinos.
The best part about roulette is the thrill of the game itself and the thrill of the potential big score. You can enjoy a game of roulette for as little as a few dollars or for as much as you like, depending on your bankroll and the amount of risk you are willing to take.