What is Roullete?
Roullete, which is French for “little wheel,” is a casino game that has offered glamour and mystery since the 17th century. Its rules are straightforward and the game can be played in a matter of minutes, but there is a surprising level of depth for serious players. Despite the game’s lack of popularity among US gamblers, it is one of the main attractions at Monte Carlo and other European casinos.
Roulette is a game of chance in which players place bets on the outcome of a spin of a revolving disc-like device called a roulettewheel that has 37 or 38 separate compartments. Each compartment can be colored red or black, odd or even, high or low (between 19 and 36), or a combination of these. A small ball thrown by the croupier into the wheel comes to rest in one of these compartments, which indicate the winning number. Players make bets by laying down chips on the betting mat, with precise placement of the chips indicating the bet type. Bets on six numbers or less are referred to as “Inside bets.” Bets on 12 numbers or more are called “Outside bets.”
While fanciful theories abound about the origin of roulette, it is known that it evolved in France from older gambling games. After its introduction to the United States, it was modified in order to prevent cheating by both operators and gamblers. In the early days of American roulette, the wheel was placed on top of the table to prevent devices from being hidden underneath, and the game’s betting layout was simplified.
The modern roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with a series of metal partitions around its edge called separators or frets, and a series of compartments, also known as pockets or “canoes” by croupiers, where the chips are placed. These are arranged in two tiers of 12 numbers each, with the numbers 1 through 36 appearing alternately on each tier.
Each tier of the roulette wheel has its own color and symbol, and each color has a particular probability of occurring during a spin. While the numbers 1, 6, and 13 are traditionally considered to be lucky, the number 7 is the most popular number to bet on because of its association with many mathematical theories. The numbers 23 and 24 are also popular choices because they are in the center of the wheel. Today’s professional roulette balls are made from resin, Teflon, or ceramic and are much lighter than the old ivory ones, which means they move more unpredictably on the wheel before they land on a number. This unpredictability is part of the reason why roulette is so exciting and rewarding for those who play it correctly. Regardless of what you choose to bet, it’s important to set your budget before you hit the tables and choose a table within that budget. Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bet amounts allowed.