Whether you’re playing roulette for real money or just for fun, you can enjoy the thrill of watching the ball bounce around until it lands in one of the pockets. Each player gets a colored chip to identify their bet value.
You can wager on a number, groups of numbers or categories of numbers (called propositions). The outside bets pay 2-1.
Origin
While the name roulette may sound exotic and mystical, it is actually a simple game of chance. There are a number of different stories about its origins, but most historians agree that 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal invented the modern wheel and layout. However, it is also possible that the game originated from earlier games, such as portique, hoca, bassette, and roly poly.
In any case, it was a very popular game in Europe and it seems only natural that it would find its way to America. When the Blanc brothers brought the game to the United States, they removed the double-zero pocket from the wheel and it became the American version of roulette that we know today. The word “roulette” is derived from the Latin rotella, meaning little wheel.
Bets
There are a variety of betting opportunities on the roulette wheel. The most risky bet is the split, which involves placing your chips to straddle the line between two numbers on the layout. This wager pays 17-1 if you win. The Street/Three Number Bet/Side Bet/The Trio is another popular bet that offers a slightly lower payout of 11-1. Outside bets are more conservative plays that cover a group of numbers. The Dozens and Columns bets are examples of outside bets.
