Roulette is a casino game that originated in France, and its name is derived from the French word for “little wheel.” The game is known for its reliance on physics, especially momentum, and it has been adapted to different cultures throughout history. It has become one of the world’s most popular games, and it is available to play online as well.

Rules

There are several types of bets in the roulette table. Each type of bet has its own set of rules, and each has a payout. Some of these bets offer high odds and some low, so it’s important to read the rules carefully before placing your chips.

Inside Bets

The most common roulette bets are the inside bets, which are placed on specific numbers on the board. These can be in the form of a single number or groupings of numbers, such as odd or even. The payouts for these bets are usually quite generous, depending on the location of your bets on the layout.

Outside Bets

Unlike the inside bets, the outside bets are more conservative and offer lower payouts. This is a good choice for players who are new to the game and want to avoid risking too much money.

The wheel

The roulette wheel consists of a wooden disk slightly convex in shape with metal partitions called separators or frets surrounding it. Thirty-six compartments are painted alternately red and black, and each of these has a number on it nonconsecutively from 1 to 36 (American wheels have a 37th compartment that is green).

When the ball drops into the wheel, it spins around in a circle. The croupier spins the wheel, and players can place bets while it is spinning.

When the wheel stops, the croupier announces a winner or a loser, and the winners collect their winnings. The croupier then puts the wheel away. The resulting noise can be a bit disconcerting for newcomers to the game, but it is a necessary component of the excitement of roulette.