What Happens in Roulette?

Roulette offers glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers. It also provides a surprising level of depth and the right strategy can reap high rewards. But the game can seem daunting to a newcomer, and it’s important for players to understand what happens during each spin of the wheel. The game begins with betting, followed by the croupier spinning the wheel. The ball then settles into one of the pockets on the roulette board, which determines the winning number. The croupier then pays out winning bets and removes losing bets from the table. The process is repeated and the next round of betting starts.

There are many different types of bets in Roulette, and players can place their chips on a specific section of the betting table, or on a combination of numbers. Bets can also be placed on the color red or black, if the number is odd or even, or if it is within a dozen (the first 12 or the second 12 numbers). In addition to these bets, there are also several other specialty bets including the Dozens bet, which is made by placing chips on the dividing line between the rows that contain the numbers 1 through 12.

Each Roulette table will carry a placard with information about the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Players should always read these instructions before making any bets, as some tables have lower minimum bets for outside bets than others, and higher maximum bets for inside bets. It is recommended to start with smaller bets and build up your bankroll as you gain more experience.

The origins of Roullete are unclear, but it is widely believed that French mathematician Blaise Pascal invented the game in the 17th Century as part of his experiments with perpetual motion machines. It soon became a popular casino game in France, and later spread across Europe and America. Today, Roulette is played by millions of people worldwide, with its popularity largely due to its ease of play and the high payouts.

Before the wheel is spun, players place their bets by laying down chips on the betting mat. The precise placement of these chips indicates the bet being made. In the United States, the betting area is marked with American terms and a slightly different style of betting mat. Bets on six numbers or less are called Inside bets, while those on more than six are known as Outside bets.