Roulette is one of the most popular casino games. But to play it successfully, you must know the game rules and betting combinations. You must also understand the different payouts for winning bets.
The roulette wheel consists of thirty-six compartments that are painted alternately red and black. A green division numbered 0 occupies the center of the wheel. A second green compartment numbered 00 is found on American tables.
Origin
There are many fanciful stories about the origin of roulette. Some claim that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, while others suggest that it originated in China and was brought to Europe by Dominican monks.
Whatever the truth, it is clear that roulette evolved in France and emerged as a popular game with a wheel with numbered pockets from 1-36 and red and black betting areas. It was later adopted by the aristocracy and became the mainstay of gambling houses in the 18th century.
The first written reference to the game appeared in regulations for New France (now Quebec) in 1758, where it was included on a list of banned games. However, the modern roulette wheel was introduced in Paris in 1796 and is still used today in many casinos around the world.