Roullete is a casino game where a small ball is released into the opposite direction of a revolving wheel. Players make bets on which red or black numbered compartment the ball will come to rest in as it slows down and comes to a stop on the wheel. Bets can be placed on single numbers, various groupings of numbers, whether the number is odd or even, if it is high (19-36) or low (0-26). Despite many fanciful stories of its origin, the roulette wheel is attributed to 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal. The game evolved into its modern form in the 1800s and became the leading casino game in Europe.
The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and rolls a small ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track on the outer edge of the wheel. The wheel has thirty-six black and red numbered compartments with a green zero (on European-style wheels) or two green zeros (on American-style wheels). The table is laid out in the shape of a diamond with a single rounded corner. Players place chips on the betting mat (the name of which varies depending on the table), with precise placement of the chips indicating the bet being made.
Before the croupier spins the wheel, players must place their bets. Inside bets are those which cover a single number or a small grouping of numbers. These bets have a higher house edge than outside bets, but pay out if they win. Outside bets are those which cover the entire betting area of the table and include all of the numbers except for the zero (or a single green zero on American wheels). These bets are usually less risky than inside bets but pay out lower.
The simplest way to determine how much the game pays out is to look at the payouts. The payouts are clearly outlined on the table, with the number of chips required to cover a specific number or a grouping displayed in the betting section. A full coverage of the numbers, including the green ones, costs 17 chips and pays 235 chips.