Roulette is a game where players bet on the outcome of a white ball spinning around a numbered wheel. There are many different bet types and the payouts can be very high.

The game can be played online or in land-based casinos. It is important to understand the rules and odds of roullete before playing.

Origins

The origins of roulette are a bit more mysterious than most people realize. Although fanciful stories claim that it was invented by the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal as part of his quest to create a perpetual motion machine, historians think that he was actually inspired by an older game from China.

It is thought that the Chinese game rooleete was brought to France by Dominican monks and eventually made its way to other parts of Europe. However, other games such as portique, hoca, and bassette could also be considered precursors of roulette because they all use a wheel. Regardless, the game became so popular that Paris’ upper class flocked to gilded gaming parlors, hoping to win dizzying fortunes with a single spin of the wheel.

Variations

Many roulette game variants exist that differ in terms of gameplay, payouts and betting options. Some of these variations contain more 0s than others and offer additional bets. Some also offer a version of la partage, whereby if the ball lands in one of the 0 pockets the player will receive half of his wager back. Choosing the right variant depends on your skill level and experience. Generally, beginners should avoid games that contain special betting rules and more bets as they have a higher house edge.