Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games in the world. It has captivated gamblers and non-gamblers alike since the 17th century with its simple rules and high rewards. Despite its simplicity, roulette has a surprising depth for serious players who understand the game’s strategy.
The game begins with players placing their bets at a roulette table. A croupier (dealer) then throws a ball into the roulette wheel and if it hits a winning number, section or color the player will be rewarded according to the betting odds. There are a number of different bets that can be made on a roulette table, including inside and outside bets. Outside bets are generally cheaper and have a higher chance of being successful. Inside bets are more expensive but have a lower chance of hitting.
Before a spin of the wheel, the dealer clears the table and then announces which numbers are winners and losers. Winning bets are paid out immediately and losing bets are placed into the casino’s income for future use. If the winning bet is a single number, the payout can be up to 35 times your bet.
In addition to the traditional European roulette game, there are other variations of the game, such as double-ball and mini roulette. These games are typically offered at land-based casinos, but some online casinos also offer them as well.
When you play roulette, you get special chips that are color-coded to help you distinguish them from other players’ chips at the table. When you want to cash in your chips, simply place them on the table and tell the croupier what they are worth. They will then give you normal casino chips in exchange.
While fanciful stories claim that the game was invented by 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal and by a Dominican monk, its history is more mundane. It was developed from older gambling games such as hoca and portique, and became popular in France in the 18th century. It then spread to America with the introduction of the double-zero roulette wheel in 1843, and quickly gained a following in illegal gambling dens.