Roulette is a game of chance, but you can increase your chances of winning by understanding the various types of bets and their payouts. These wagers can be classified into two groups; outside and inside bets.
The European roulette version of the game is preferred by most players. It has a single zero pocket, and this reduces the house edge to a desirable 1.35%.
Origins
Various fanciful stories surround the origins of Roulette. One theory is that it was invented by 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Another is that it originated in France from the older games hoca and portique. Some even claim it has English ancestors like Roly Poly and Ace of Hearts. It is known, however, that the game became popular in New Orleans on paddle steamers and made its way up the Mississippi to Quebec (or New France as it was then). Thereafter it spread throughout Europe.