Roulette is one of the gambling industry’s most popular games. It’s based on luck alone, and is a fixture at online casinos as well as land-based establishments. There are many different betting options, and there are a few strategies that can help players increase their chances of winning. But before you start playing, it’s important to understand the game rules.
The Roulette Wheel
A roulette wheel consists of a solid, convex wooden disk with metal partitions around it. The compartments, called canoes by croupiers, are alternately painted red and black. Thirty-six of the canoes are numbered consecutively from 1 to 36, while a single green compartment carries the number 0. A roulette wheel is spun by a croupier, who also handles the betting process. The croupier then throws a ball into the wheel and the game starts.
Once the ball lands on a number, winners who have made outside bets are rewarded based on their betting odds. Players can place bets on individual numbers, various groupsings of numbers (red-black, odd-even, first or third dozen), or color combinations, as well as on whether the number is high or low.
The History of Roulette
While fanciful stories claim that roulette was invented by 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, it is believed that the game was in existence as early as the 15th century and that it was transmitted to Europe by Dominican Monks. It was eventually adapted into its current form in the 18th century.
Roulette remains a favorite of casino goers today, although it has never been as popular in the United States as slots or video poker. However, it still draws a crowd in Europe and is a mainstay at Monte Carlo.
Cheating at Roulette
It’s no surprise that some people would try to cheat at roulette, even if it’s against the rules and illegal. While there are countless ways to cheat at roulette, there are some common techniques that can be used.
Some of these methods are more obvious than others, and are based on either the physical characteristics of the wheel or the behavior of the dealer. Some of these methods involve using tools to change the odds in favor of the player, while others are simply a matter of timing and knowledge. Regardless of the method, it’s important to understand that there is a very slim chance of beating the house edge by cheating at roulette.