What is Roulette?

Roulette is a game of chance, French for “little wheel.” The wheel contains 36 numbers and a 0 (and on some American tables, a 00). A croupier spins the wheel, and players place bets correlating to the slots the ball can possibly land in.

Different types of bets have varying odds and payouts. Players should understand these before placing their chips.

Origins

Roulette is a game of chance that has a long history. It is believed to have originated in 1655, when renowned French mathematician Blaise Pascal came up with the idea during his experiments to create a perpetual motion machine.

The name of the game – which means little wheel in French – comes from the fact that it has a rotating, dish-like device called a roulette wheel into which a small ball is spun until it comes to rest in one of 37 or 38 compartments around the edge of the wheel. People place bets on the outcome of a spin by placing chips on a betting table.

The game was very popular in the gilded gaming parlors of pre-revolutionary Paris. It spread to other European countries.