Roulette is a game that involves spinning a ball around the edge of a wheel. It has thirty-six divisions painted alternately red and black, with a green compartment numbered 0. On American wheels there is an extra green compartment labelled 00.
Many people use betting systems to try and beat the odds. However, it is important to set a budget before beginning play.
Origin
The origin of roulette is not well known. There are several theories, with the most common being that it was invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in the 17th century as part of his attempts to develop a wheel that would demonstrate perpetual motion. Other theories claim that it was based on an old English game called Roly-Poly or Even/Odd, or on a game brought to France by Dominican monks. Regardless, the modern game is believed to have emerged in the early 18th century and first appeared under its current name in Paris casinos. The first written reference to the game was in a gambling regulations document published in New France (Quebec) in 1758.