Roulette originated in France between 1600 and 1650. There have been some modifications made to it over the years, but its current form has remained unchanged since 1880s. Except for online roulette, which has become increasingly popular as the internet has become more commonplace. Surely the creators of roulette never could have imagined that people would be playing it hundreds of years later on a brick they could put in their pocket!

The Wheel

Roulette is quite simple – it consists of a ball, a wheel, and a table which has a grid used for betting. The Croupier (a dealer or gaming table assistant) rotates or spins the roulette wheel which has 36 or 37 compartments, numbered zero through 36 or 37, depending on where you are playing. These compartments alternate between red and black, and the compartment numbered zero is green. The numbering divides these compartments into an alternate odd & even sequence. The wheel compartments are generally referred to as “pockets.”

The Second Zero

When Roulette came to the United States, it was not very popular. So in order to attract more players, the casinos added a second zero compartment to the wheel thinking it would get players more excited about the odds. But the tactic actually gave the house more of an advantage, which may be why in the UK and other European countries, the Roulette wheel still has its original 36 compartments.

The Bet

Players may place bets on a bunch of different parameters. The idea is that if the ball lands on something that their bet encompasses, they win! Here is a list of the different betting options:

• A single number or a range of numbers
• The colors red or black
• Whether the number is odd or even
• If the numbers are high (19–36) or low (1–18)

Once everyone bets, the croupier spins a wheel in one direction, then spins a ball in the opposite direction around a circular track around the outside edge of the wheel. The ball eventually loses momentum and falls onto the wheel into one of  pockets.

The Odds

The odds in roulette are different for each type of bet. Usually, these odds are fixed and based on percentages. Generally, the lower probability the bet is, the higher the payout is.

So if a player opts to bet on a single number, giving them odds of 1:36 or 1:37, they can expect a very high payout. On the other spectrum, if they opt for betting on red, then they have about a 50:50 shot at winning, and the payout is less. The worst result is if the ball falls in a zero or double zero pocket, in which the player loses his or her bet. These odds can vary from country to country, but not casino to casino. You can learn more about specific odds by checking out some online guides.

The Online Casino

The advancement of internet and Smartphone technology now provide players with the opportunity to try their hand at roulette anywhere! A trip to a traditional casino is no longer required to feel the same thrill of spinning the wheel of fortune.

Most online casinos offer some form of roulette, whether it is an automated game or a live game. Live games offer players the chance to see a real table, with a real croupier that they can communicate with via video and chat systems. They can watch the croupier spin the wheel and roll the ball in, so it is clear to see they are not at the wrong end of a computer algorithm.