Roulette is one of the world’s most popular casino games. It’s a simple game that requires no skill or strategy, just luck. It is found at land and online casinos around the globe, and it is a very popular choice among many players.

The history of roulette began over 300 years ago when the first formal wheel was invented by Blaise Pascal. He was actually trying to create a perpetual motion machine when he accidentally discovered that the spinning of the wheel combined with a simple mechanical system could cause a ball to randomly fall into any number on the betting table.

Over the centuries, the game gained traction and popularity and eventually made it to America where the American version of the game developed in gambling dens as makeshift roulette wheels were brought in for use. However, the French game continued to evolve with elegance and leisure in Monte Carlo.

When a player places a bet on the table they tell the dealer how much each chip is worth, she marks the chips with that amount and then parcels them out to the player. If the player is lucky enough to win a bet, they are paid out according to their betting odds, with the top paying bet being a straight up number that costs 40 chips and pays 392 chips if it wins.

Outside bets include bets on the color red or black, odd or even, and the high or low numbers. Each of these bets pays out based on the odds of winning, with some paying as little as 1:1, while others pay more than 3:1. The payouts for each bet are clearly defined on the betting board with specific spots designated to bet on each of them.