Roullete, often simply called roulette, is a casino game of chance. Players place bets on a variety of options, including a single number, various groups of numbers, whether the number is odd or even, and if it is high (19-36) or low (1-18). The game is played at a table with a revolving dishlike device (roulette wheel) into which a small ball is spun to come to rest in one of 37 or 38 compartments marked with red or black colors and a numbered zero (or, in American roulette, two green compartments).
Originally, the game was popular in France’s illegal gambling dens and spread rapidly throughout Europe. By 1843, the French brothers Louis and Francois Blanc introduced a single-zero pocket to the roulette wheel. This significantly reduced the house edge and massively increased the game’s appeal in casinos and gambling houses.
Roulette is played with specialized chips, usually colored red and black, that have no cash value outside of the game. Each player gets a special color of chip to distinguish him or her from other players, and it is recommended that spouses play on separate tables. The dealer explains how much each bet is worth to each player and parcels out the chips after every decision.
The rules of the game are relatively simple, and winning bets are paid out in accordance with their location on the table. The payouts vary depending on the size of the bet, and the odds of hitting a particular number are also specified. For example, a straight-up bet on number 1 pays out 36 chips; while a bet on the zero, which has a lower probability of winning, pays out only 17 chips.
There are a number of betting options, but the most common are ‘outside bets’ (bets on groups of numbers rather than individual digits) and ‘inside bets’ (bets placed on specific numbers). The most famous strategy is the Martingale System, in which players double their stakes after each loss. However, this system is not recommended for players with a limited bankroll as it can quickly lead to insolvency.