Roulette is a game of chance, and while there are some strategies that can help you increase your chances of winning, it is impossible to beat the odds. Read on to learn more about the rules and bet types.
Inside bets are placed on individual numbers or small groups of numbers on the table map and have a lower house edge than outside bets.
Variations
While the fundamentals of Roulette remain the same across variations, there are a few small differences that can impact how much money you win or lose. European Roulette, for example, features a wheel with 37 numbered pockets and a single zero, which lowers the house edge and is popular among players seeking better odds. Other variations such as Key Bet Roulette add new betting options and prizes to the game, expanding the scope of winnings beyond traditional inside/outside bets.
Bets
In roulette, players can place inside or outside bets. Inside bets are placed on individual numbers and offer higher payouts when they win. Outside bets, on the other hand, are placed on groups of numbers and pay out at 2-1. Some of the most popular outside bets include the Street bet (also known as a Triple Bet or a Side bet in French) and the Three Number Bet (or the Voisins bet). The latter is a more risky bet, as it involves betting on three numbers and requires placing chips to straddle the line between two rows. This bet has a high payout of 17-1 if successful.
Origins
There are a lot of different stories about the origins of roulette, but they all start with the idea that it was invented by the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Some historians believe that he created the game as a result of his work on a perpetual motion machine, while others think that it was developed from other games that were similar in structure. These included the English game of Roly Poly and the Italian board games Biribi and Hoca.
Gambling on the turn of a wheel is an ancient practice, with ancient Romans spinning their chariot wheels to gamble and pass the time. However, the modern roulette game as we know it was created in the 18th century in France. It has since become a popular casino game around the world.