Roullete is a casino game in which a small ball rolls around a wheel and people place bets on which red or black numbered compartment it will enter as the spin comes to a stop. Bets may be placed on a single number, various groupings of numbers, colors (red and black), odd or even, and high (19-36) or low (1-18). The game emerged in Europe in the late 18th century. It has one of the smallest followings among casino table games in America, but it draws crowds in Europe. The game is a favorite of Monte Carlo residents.
The game consists of a solid, slightly convex wooden disk with metal partitions around its circumference that separate it into 36 non-consecutive compartments painted alternately red and black. The number 1 through 36 are printed on the rim of the wheel, with a separate number 0 and a double zero (or a single green zero on American wheels). There are also two additional compartments that are painted green and carry the signs 00.
A dealer, or croupier, spins the wheel in one direction and then rolls the ball around the tilted circular track that runs along its outer edge. When the dealer announces ‘No more bets!’ the layout locks, preventing cheating and additional advantages. The wheel is slowed down as the ball approaches the compartment it will enter, and the bets are settled once the ball has come to rest in a pocket.
When the ‘La Partage’ rule is in effect, the dealer splits all even-money bets in half, keeping half for the house and giving the other back to the player. This reduces the house edge on European wheels from 2.70% to 1.35%.