The game of Roullete originated in France in the 17th century and grew into one of the most popular casino games worldwide. It combines elements of the French games Roly Poly and Even Odd with Biribi, an Italian game where players predict which numbered ticket will be pulled out of a bag.
The basic rules of roulette are simple and straightforward. In each round of the game, the dealer spins a wheel and throws a ball onto it. After the ball settles into a pocket, the player who made a bet on that number wins.
Before the game begins, a player can make several different types of bets. These can include bets on single numbers, groupings of numbers, the color red or black, whether a number is odd or even, and high (19-36) or low (1-18).
Some bets have higher payouts than others. The Street Bet, for instance, pays 11-1 when a number is hit.
Another bet is called a “split” bet, which pays 17-1 when two numbers are hit. The split bet is similar to the street bet, except that you place your chips straddling the line between two numbers instead of on the outside edge of a row.
A player can also place a bet on a group of six numbers, known as the “six number bet.” The payout for this bet is 392 chips if you win.
There are other bets, too, like the Dozens Bet and the Odd or Even Bet. The dozens bet pays 2-1, and the odd or even bet has a 1-1 payout.
How the Wheel Works
The wheel of a roulette table contains 36 compartments, each painted red or black. On European wheels, a 37th compartment is painted green; on American wheels, the two green compartments are on opposite sides of the wheel.
Each compartment has a rim, with metal separators that divide the wheel into canoes, and a wheel spindle, which is perfectly balanced. The spindle turns the wheel in a smooth, almost frictionless motion.
When a winning number is determined, the dealer then clears all losing bets off the table and announces “no more bets” and “no more chips.” After this, the next spin of the wheel starts.
During a spin, the ball rolls around the wheel and can land on any of the numbered pockets or alternating colored spots. When it lands, the dealer indicates the winning number with a marker and takes the chips from the table.
