Roulette is a casino game played with chips on a specially designed table and a spinning wheel. The ball is spun around the wheel and lands in one of the many divisions on the roulette board – either red, black or green (on American tables a second green zero area). Players place bets by placing their chips on the mat, with precise placement of each chip indicating the type of bet being placed. A standard roulette table can seat up to seven players, with dual tables allowing two groups of players to play simultaneously.
The most popular form of the game is European roulette, which has a single zero on the wheel and a very low house edge of just 2.7%. This is the best version of roulette available online, and we recommend you play it whenever possible to maximise your chances of winning.
American roulette was developed in the United States as a form of gambling in frontier towns and casinos. The game had become very popular in France, and as such there were many illegitimate gambling dens operating in the American West. To combat this cheating, the roulette wheel was placed on top of the table and rules were established that prevented any devices from being hidden in the table or wheel.
In the 1800s, a new variant of the game emerged with the addition of an extra green zero pocket on the wheel. This changed the odds for players as it reduced the house’s advantage to a more reasonable level. The addition of the zero increased roulette’s popularity and is largely responsible for it being the most popular casino game today.
There are a number of strategies that can be used in roulette, with some being more effective than others. Some of these include the Martingale system and the Labouchere system. In the latter, you set your desired amount of money to win, and then alternate between even and odd chip bets depending on whether you are losing or winning. The aim is to gradually build up your bankroll until you reach your target.