Roulette is a casino game that has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to gambling den patrons since the 17th century. While the game seems to be based on pure chance, there are many strategies that can help you play and win at the game.
The game is played with a rotating wheel that contains compartments numbered one through 36. The wheel also has a division marked zero, which is red on American tables and green on European tables. The compartments are alternately black and red, and players make bets on which numbered compartment the ball will fall into as it comes to rest. Bets may be placed on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the colors red or black, whether the number is odd or even, or if the number falls into one of the high or low categories (1-18 or 19-36).
A bet is made by placing chips on a betting mat. The dealer then tells you how much your chips will be worth, and parcels them out to you when the table is between decisions. The amount of money you get back depends on how much you wagered and which number you hit. If you bet on a single number, you can expect to lose about 40% of your original wager. Bets on three or more numbers pay less, but are still unlikely to come in.
Roulette has a long and complicated history. It was developed in Europe from older games, and is credited by some to 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal. The roulette wheel and table are a staple of casinos, and the game is played all over the world.
As with craps, there are a large number of betting systems designed to beat the house edge in roulette. However, many of these systems are based on false assumptions and do not hold up to statistical analysis.
The best way to play roulette is to set a budget before you hit the tables and stick with it. Each roulette table carries a placard with the minimum and maximum bet amounts that are allowed, so it is easy to find a table within your budget.
It is also a good idea to bet conservatively at the beginning and work your way up to higher bets as you gain experience. Finally, do not use your winnings to place future bets. This can result in you losing your money faster than it would have been if you simply walked away from the table.