What is Roulette?

Roulette is a game of pure chance and requires no special skills to play. You can try your luck by betting on a single number or a group of numbers, called “outside bets.” These bets are cheaper and offer higher payouts.

Players place their bets before the croupier throws the ball in the wheel. The croupier then signals that bets are now closed and the wheel spins.

Origin

Roulette is a game of chance that originated in France and has since become one of the most popular games at casinos and gambling houses. Although there are numerous theories regarding its origins, most specialists agree that the present day roulette was derived from earlier games such as hoca and portique. However, it is also believed that the 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal inadvertently invented the wheel while working on a perpetual motion machine. Other fanciful stories suggest that it was brought to Europe by monks (Dominicans) from China. The name “roulette” means ’little wheel’ which further points towards its French origins.

Variations

There are many variations of roulette to suit every player’s preferences. Some of these variations differ from the European version in terms of betting options, payouts, and rules. For example, Double Ball Roulette offers the same wheel as a classic European game but offers different payouts for winning bets. These vary from straight bets to split and street bets. The house edge is also different, at 2.7%. Some of the roulette variants are better suited to inexperienced players, as they offer lower minimum bet amounts and higher maximum bet limits. Other variants, such as Lighting Roulette from Evolution Gaming, offer bigger payouts and a bonus game with payouts up to 1:12,000. These are great for those who want to maximize their win potential.

These variants may use real physical wheels or virtual ones. They also can have a single or multiple balls and can be played in a land-based casino or online.