Roullete is a casino game played with a wheel and betting table where players place bets on numbers, groups of numbers, the color red or black or whether the number is odd or even. The game is popular both online and at land-based casinos. The wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with thirty-six metal partitions or compartments called frets or pockets around its edge and is painted alternately red and black. The pockets are separated by a green section numbered 0. The extra green section on American roulette wheels makes the game less fair and is largely responsible for the lower house edge of the European version.
The croupier spins the roulette wheel and then throws the ball into one of the sections. If the ball lands on the chosen number, section or color, the bets are paid out according to their odds. Players can still make other bets within the process including outside bets such as high-low, odd-even and red-black. Players can also bet on a single number and the odds of it landing.
Before the game starts, the dealer places a marker on the table to indicate the value of each player’s chips. She then parcels out the chips to each player. Some players choose to use a strategy to increase their chances of winning. These include the Martingale System which recommends playing with even-only chip bets and doubling your stake each time you lose. The Labouchere System is another popular technique whereby you set your desired win amount and then move up or down your bets to hit that target.
The game of roulette attracts small crowds at a casino but is nowhere near as popular as blackjack, video poker or slot machines. However, it draws more players than baccarat, which is usually reserved for high-rollers. It is not unusual to find a roulette pit at Monte Carlo and other high-end casinos. The game is slowly losing popularity in the US to games such as slots and video poker but it retains its appeal in Europe, where it is a mainstay of Monte Carlo and other casinos.