Roulette (French for “little wheel”) is a casino game in which players wager money on various fields that correspond to red and black compartments on a spinning wheel. When the ball lands in one of these compartments, bettors win. Bets may also be placed on groups of numbers, colors (red versus black), odd/even numbers as well as whether the number falls between 19-36 or 1-18 on this particular bettors wheel.
Allegedly invented over 300 years ago, roulette actually originated in France during the 17th century by merging elements from earlier games such as hoca and portique; its current wheel structure and layout came about later.
The roulette wheel consists of a solid, slightly convex wooden disk adorned with metal partitions called frets by croupiers. A central “zero” compartment features 36 compartments painted alternately red and black that number nonconsecutively from 1 to 36; European wheels utilize one such compartment while American versions feature two extra green ones marked 00 to make playing less profitable for the player.
Each roulette table displays a placard detailing the minimum and maximum bets allowed; usually $5 minimum and up to $1,000 max for outside bets; higher payouts typically occur with inside bets. Setting a budget before gambling will help ensure your betting stays within responsible boundaries.
A great way to learn a game is to watch experienced players at the table and ask questions about their strategy. While some may try to “cheat” by spying on other players, doing so only serves to make things more confusing and frustrating for everyone involved. To improve odds in your favor, the key is practicing and developing a sound betting strategy which includes knowing when it is wiser to place bets or fold them altogether.