Roullete is a game of chance that has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Although it’s a simple game, it has a surprising depth of strategy that can pay off in big rewards.
A roulette wheel consists of a static bowl with a spindle that supports a rotating wheelhead. Around the perimeter of the bowl are metal compartments (called frets) that hold a combination of red and black numbers, as well as two green pockets labeled 0 and 00. The croupier throws the ball into one of these pockets, and if you correctly predict which number it will land in, you’ll win.
There are many myths about the origin of roulette—it was invented by the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, by a Dominican monk, or even by Chinese spies. But the truth is that roulette was derived from older games like hoca and portique, and it evolved in the casinos and gambling dens of Europe before making its way to America.
When you play roulette, it’s important to set a budget before you start betting. Each table carries a placard with a description of the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Once the bets have been placed, the croupier will spin the wheel. Then, players can either cash out their winnings or place new bets within the established limits.
Dozens Bet: Also known as douzaine or dozen in French, this is a wager that the winning number will be in one of the first 12 or second 12 or third 12-number groups on the roulette layout. You can also bet on two dozens simultaneously, which increases your payout to 2-1.
Odd or Even Bet: This is a bet that the winning number will be one of the 18 odd or even numbers—you can’t win if the number is the 0 or 00, though. This bet is another even-money wager, paying out 1-1.
Columns Bet: Similarly to the Dozens bet, you place your chips on the columns of the roulette table, which are arranged in three rows and twelve columns. This is an outside bet that pays 2-1.