Roullete, or Roulette as it is known to many people, is a classic casino game that offers glamour and mystery. It is easy enough to learn for novice players and provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters. Regardless of your experience level, it is important to understand the rules of roulette before you begin betting.
There are many myths surrounding the origin of this popular game. One legend suggests that it was invented in the 17th century by Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and physicist who was working on a perpetual motion machine. Another story says that it was developed by Dominican monks. However, it was not until the 18th century that it developed into its present form and became the most popular game in Europe.
The game is played on a circular table with numbered sections from 1 to 36, one or two zeros and several other sections affording the player a variety of betting opportunities. A croupier spins a small ball in the center of the revolving dishlike device, called a Roulette wheel, and the ball comes to rest finally in one of the compartments indicating the winning number and its characteristics, such as whether it is odd or even or high or low.
Different versions of the game have slightly different rules and payouts. The American version, which is more common in casinos throughout the USA, has a higher house edge than the European version because of the presence of the two green pockets – 00 and 0. These do not pay out to players and instead add to the house’s odds of winning. Fortunately, some European casinos offer the option of a “la partage” rule that reduces the house edge to just over 1.35%.
There is also the High or Low Bet (or Passe et Manque in French), where you wager that the winning number will be in the first 18 numbers on the layout (1-18) or the last 18 numbers (19-36). Both of these bets are even money, meaning they pay out at 1-1.
The Dozens Bet, or Les Dames in French, is another even money bet. This is where you place your chips on the dividing line between the rows that feature either the odd or even numbers. If the ball lands on a 0, 0 or 00, all outside bets lose. However, if the ball lands on a number in either of these groups, the bet pays out at 2-1. This is a great bet for beginners to play because the risks are lower, but it can still provide some good winnings.