Roulette is a gambling game in which a small ball is released into the opposite direction of a revolving wheel, and players place bets on which red or black numbered compartment it will come to rest in as it spins. Bets are made on either single numbers or a grouping of numbers that pay off at lesser odds, and the wheel’s divisions – alternately painted in red and black – are numbered from one to 36. On American tables a second green compartment carries the number 0.
Roulette has one of the lowest house edges on even money bets, 1.35%. It is one of the most popular casino games, especially in Europe. It is played by a croupier, and most casinos have a dedicated table for this purpose. The wheel is usually made of wood or a synthetic material, and the table is surrounded by padded walls to protect the bets from the noise and vibration of the spinning wheel.
Before the dealer spins the wheel, players place chips on a betting mat that corresponds to the divisions of the wheel. The exact placement of the chips indicates the type and amount of the bet being placed. Players must also sign the betting slip, which records their bets for later reference. Bets on six or fewer numbers are referred to as “Inside bets” while those on 12 or more are known as “Outside bets.”
The history of roulette is a little unclear. Some believe that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal while he was attempting to create a perpetual motion machine. Other legends state that it was brought to Europe by Dominican monks. Either way, it grew in popularity after being introduced to the Paris casinos of the late 1700s.
Once the wheel has spun, the croupier removes the losing bets and pays out winning ones according to the payout table. Then the process begins again. Despite its popularity, roulette doesn’t draw huge crowds at casinos in the United States, although it is still one of the mainstays of Monte Carlo and other European resorts.
When playing roulette, be sure to keep your chips under control and avoid over-betting. The best strategy is to have a predetermined bankroll, and bet only the amount you can afford to lose. It’s also important to cash out your winnings as soon as possible, and not dip into them for future bets. Using the refer-a-friend bonus to encourage close friends to play with you can be a great way to boost your bankroll.