Roulette is one of the most popular casino games. It is easy to learn and offers a high level of excitement. However, it is important to understand the rules of the game before you play.

The Roulette wheel consists of a spinning disk with compartments marked alternately red and black. The numbers on the wheel are numbered nonconsecutively, with one extra green division numbered 0 (on American roulette tables, there are two extra green compartments numbered 00).

Once the croupier clears the table of the previous round, betting begins. Each player may make bets on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the color red or black, whether the number is odd or even, or if the numbers are high (19-36) or low (1-18). The odds of hitting a specific number vary depending on the type of bet and the number of players at a given table.

Outside bets are easier to win, but they have much lower payouts. Typically, these bets are made on groups of numbers, such as the first, second, and third dozen or the columns. The croupier will place a marker, called a dolly, on the winning number on the table map and remove losing bets before paying out winners.

The game of roulette has fascinated people for over 300 years. Its history is rooted in the ancient Italian game Biribi, and it was likely developed by French mathematician Blaise Pascal as he experimented with probability theory. The modern roulette wheel and table layout were developed in the late 18th century, and it quickly gained popularity in European casinos and gambling houses.

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