Roulette is more than just a casino game: it embodies our fascination with risk. Its endurance across centuries attests to its unique blend of mathematical elegance, sensory drama, and cultural resonance. Whether in the chandeliers of Monte Carlo, the neon lights of Las Vegas, or the virtual lobbies of online casinos, this timeless classic remains one of the most popular casino games in the world.
The modern game of roulette crystallized in late 18th-century Paris, where a teeming gambling economy sustained the game despite royal prohibitions. Municipal complaints, ordonnances, and descriptive sources describe a spinning wheel with alternating red and black compartments, or “frets,” numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36, and a set of betting tables with inside and outside wagers. A 37th compartment, painted green and labeled 0 on European wheels, and two green-colored compartments, marked 00 on American wheels, define the “bank pockets” from which the house collects all wagers.
Unlike other casino table games, the game of roulette is not played with money, but with chips that have no printed denomination. Instead, players get a certain number of chips when they buy in and then place them on the table according to their betting strategy. The dealer gives players time to place their bets before spinning the wheel and dropping the ball. All winning bets remain in play until the dealer announces, “No more bets.”
Before each spin, players are given the opportunity to make any number of bets on a group of numbers or small numbers combinations within the main betting table (1-36). Inside bets typically have higher payouts but a lower chance of hitting them. Outside bets, on the other hand, have smaller payouts but a much higher chance of hitting them. The most common outside bet is a bet on the color red or black, which pays 35 to 1.
Once the game caught on, it spread along paddlewheel steamboats up and down the Mississippi River and into river towns and frontier cities. Compared to the refined salons of Monte Carlo, these American gaming halls had a rough, frontier atmosphere that gave rise to practical innovations to prevent cheating and reduce disputes. Wheels were mounted on top of the tables for speedier play and betting layouts were simplified to reduce disputes over individual bets. These adjustments made the game more accessible to a wider variety of people than its European cousin.
The rules of roulette vary between different versions, but the odds are the same. Choose European or French Roulette to get the best odds, and stick with the outside bets that offer a greater chance of winning, even if their payouts are lower. Avoid complex systems that claim to beat the game, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Most importantly, play responsibly and always set a budget before you start. If you find your gambling habits are affecting your life, it’s time to take a step back and seek help.