Roulette is a casino game that involves spinning a ball on a wheel with divisions that alternate between red and black. The wheel also has a single green division numbered 0. On American tables, there is an additional green division numbered 00.
Players place bets on a number or grouping of numbers by placing chips on a betting mat. The precise placement of these chips indicates the bet being made.
Origin
While there are many fanciful stories about the origin of roulette, most historians agree that it was invented in 18th century France. It is believed that French mathematician Blaise Pascal inadvertently created the roulette wheel while attempting to develop a perpetual motion machine. He combined the gaming wheel with an old Italian game called Biribi to create a new gambling system that became a staple in French casinos and gambling houses. There is also some evidence that the game originated in China and was transmitted to Europe by Dominican monks. In addition, Roman soldiers played a gambling game that was similar to roulette.