Roulette is one of the most widely recognized games in the casino, and it carries with it a classy, elegant image that makes most people think of James Bond, espionage, and men in tuxedos. As complex as the game may seem, the rules are really straightforward and easy for most people to understand- which makes the game of roulette a popular choice for gamblers who want to take their time, have fun, and socialize at the tables.

Even though roulette is quite simple, your odds can change depending on the type of wheel on which you are playing. There are two different types of roulette wheel- the single-zero and the double-zero wheel. The single-zero variation originated in Europe, where the game of roulette was invented. As Americans grew to like the game more, they wanted to “improve” upon it, so they added the “00″ space to the roulette wheel. The double-zero tilts the odds more in favor of the house, and most American casinos have the “00″ wheel (although single-zero wheels do exist).

You might think that it will be impossible for you to win against the house when playing on a double-zero roulette wheel, although the added space only slightly decreases your odds. Breaking roulette down to its most simplistic form, you can bet on a color (red or black), odd or even numbers, one favorite number, or a selection of random numbers. Differing bets come with different odds, and bets with the worst odds come with a correspondingly higher payout.