If you’re looking to maximize your bankroll, it’s essential to understand the rules and strategies of roulette. Inside bets offer better odds but have lower payouts. Outside bets like columns and dozens cover more numbers and pay out at 2/1.

The game can seem complex, but it’s actually very simple to learn. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Origins

The origin of the modern roulette game is a bit murky. Some people claim that Blaise Pascal, a 17th century French mathematician and physicist developed the game while trying to create a perpetual motion machine in 1655. Others suggest that the game was derived from the earlier games hoca and portique, which were played on a rotating table.

The word “roulette” is derived from the Latin rotella, which means little wheel. While the exact origin of the game is unknown, it is clear that roulette has been a popular casino and gambling game for over 200 years.

As more European immigrants migrated to America, they brought the roulette game with them, which soon found its way to Las Vegas. Francois and Louis Blanc modified the game by eliminating the double zero on the roulette wheel, which gave rise to the single 0 style of roulette that is still used today.

Variations

Roulette games vary, and choosing the right one depends on your bankroll size as well as the types of bets you like to place. If you’re a new player, you should avoid games with special betting rules and bets as they tend to have a higher house edge. On the other hand, balanced wagers such as column or dozens bets may offer great value. There are also roulette games that have high payouts such as Lightning Roulette from Evolution Gaming which offers multipliers of up to 500x, and Triple Bonus Spin Roulette from IGT with a 1:12,000 payout for straight bonus wins.