The Basics of Roulette

The roulette table can look confusing at first glance, but it is actually very simple. The main bets fall into two categories: inside and outside bets. Each type offers a different risk level and payout odds.

Inside bets offer higher chances of winning but lower payouts. Outside bets offer smaller payouts but better odds at winning (except if the wheel lands on 0). The game is also fun to play with friends.

Variations

Roulette is a fascinating world of diverse variations. Some of them retain the basic rules and payouts while others offer new features to enhance gameplay and overall experience. For example, a roulette variant called Double Ball uses the European Roulette wheel but offers two balls instead of one. It also offers different betting options and lower payouts. Other variations include Lighting Roulette from Evolution Gaming, which relies on multipliers and pays up to 1:12,000 for a straight bonus win. It also features a house edge of 2.7%. This variant is similar to the standard game except it contains more 0s and offers two rules called ‘En prison’ and ‘La Partage’.

Origins

The exact origin of roulette is unclear. It has been speculated that it was invented by 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, or that it derived from older games such as portique, hoca and bassette. However, its name – which means “Small Wheel” in French – suggests a European heritage.

When the game first made its way to America, it became a fixture in New Orleans’ gambling houses. The city’s rich culture and role as a port gave it the perfect environment to blend European gaming traditions with American culture. In addition, the mystical appeal of the wheel of fortune – where wealth and ruin, life and death hinge on the bounce of a ball – gave the game its mystique.