Roulette is a fast-paced table game that can be found in casinos worldwide. It is easy enough for beginners to play and offers a variety of betting options that can appeal to experienced players.
The game is based on spinning a numbered wheel that comes to rest when the ball drops in one of the slots. The wheel has a series of divisions, marked either red or black and a single zero (on European tables, the number 0 is green). Players bet on individual numbers, various groups of numbers, whether they are odd or even, or the colors red or black.
Players place their chips on a betting mat, the precise location of which indicates the bet they are placing. When the dealer announces “no more bets”, the players must immediately withdraw their chips. This prevents cheating by preventing the use of devices hidden in the wheel or the table.
When the chips are withdrawn, the winning bets are paid out. The dealer then clears all losing bets from the table and the winner’s remaining chips are left to win again on the next spin. This is known as the La Partage rule.
There are many theories about the origin of the game, including that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal and by a Dominican monk. Regardless of its origin, roulette quickly became popular in gambling dens and casinos throughout Europe.
Roulette has several symmetries that make it an interesting game to study, and many mathematicians have attempted to develop systems to beat the game. A simple search on Google can return millions of systems, some well-researched and documented, others not so much.
Before each spin, the player gives the dealer money in the form of coloured chips. The dealer will then give the player a number of chips that correspond to the value of the bet, e.g. 20 chips with a value of PS1 would equal a minimum bet of £25. The chips have no denomination printed on them, although they do have an indelible mark that identifies them as “Roulette” chips. The dealer will also provide the player with a marker for each bet.