What Is Roulette?

Roulette is a game of chance played on a circular table with a revolving dish-like device called a roulette wheel. Players place bets on individual numbers, groups of numbers, colors or odd/even combinations. The ball then bounces around the wheel until it stops in one of the numbered compartments.

To play roulette, purchase a color of chips from the dealer (or “croupier”). Then place your bets until the dealer announces no more bets.

Origins

The origins of roulette are a bit murky, though it is generally thought that the game originated in France in the late eighteenth century. The name “roulette” is French for little wheel, and the most widely accepted theory is that it was invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal as part of his quest to create a perpetual motion machine.

He inadvertently created a wheel that would eventually become the centerpiece of Paris gambling scenes in the 18th century. The game is a simple one that involves a revolving dishlike device (called a roulette wheel) with 38 (or on European/Latin American tables, 37) compartments that are either red or black and marked as odd or even. Many games that are similar to roullete were already popular at the time, including portique, hoca, and bassett.

Variations

There are many variations of roulette games that offer unique gameplay features. For example, Key Bet Roulette from IGT offers multiple betting options while Lighting Roulette from Evolution Gaming adds a dynamic element to the game with payouts of up to 500x. In addition, Double Ball Roulette from IGT uses two balls instead of one to deliver a more traditional roulette experience.

It’s important to choose the right roulette game variant based on your experience level and skills. For beginners, it’s best to stick with classic European Roulette. It follows the European layout and offers a friendly house edge of 2.7%.