Roullete is a game of chance where players place bets on which number, or grouping of numbers, the ball will fall in when spun by the croupier. Typically, bets are made on either red or black and whether the number is odd or even. There are many different roulette variants but the best-in-class one is European roulette because it has a single zero pocket which automatically scales down the house edge to an incredibly low 1.35%.
A roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with a rim containing metal compartments or pockets. Thirty-six of these are painted alternately red and black, while the other two green compartments on American-style wheels carry the signs 0 and 00. The numbered pockets are known as canoes by roulette croupiers, who spin the wheel while a ball is dropped into each pocket in turn.
The game of roulette has become an icon in gambling and is a popular casino activity around the world. Despite numerous myths about its origins, including that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, the game of roulette has developed in popularity since the 18th century. Due to the prevalence of cheating and other deceptions, it became necessary to regulate the game and its equipment, which resulted in the present wheel, betting table, and layout. There are many different strategies used by players to increase their chances of winning, such as the Martingale system and the Labouchere strategy.