Roulette is a casino game played with a small wheel, called a roulette wheel, that has in it several sections affording the players a variety of betting opportunities. The wheel has thirty-six compartments, colored alternately red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from one to 36; a green pocket with either a 0 or a 00 (on American roulette wheels) is also included. Each player makes a series of bets by laying chips on a special table map before the croupier throws the ball into the spinning wheel. Each bet is rewarded according to the odds of winning it. The highest payout for a bet is 35:1 when a number comes up. Other bets are placed on the color of the number, groups of numbers, and other propositions that have specific odds.
The word roulete is believed to be derived from a French phrase meaning “little wheel.” It is likely that the roulette game was developed from an older Italian version, Biribi. Generic versions of the game were already being played in Europe by the 17th Century, but the formal roulette layout and wheel structure was first patented in France in 1837. From then on, it spread throughout the world and gained the greatest popularity in the United States after the French Revolution.
In the United States, the most common type of roulette is the American version. This is because it has two green pockets instead of a single zero as found on the European version of the game. This increases the house edge and decreases the payouts on certain bets, such as the straight bet. This is the only reason why the American version of the game is more expensive than the European version.
When playing roulette, the dealer will place a marker in front of each bet to mark its value. When the game is between decisions, the dealer will remove the marker and the betting begins again. It is important to set a betting unit based on your bankroll before you begin to play. This will help you determine how much to bet and how long to play.
The pacing of Roullete enhances the impulsive decisions and actions of the five characters and how they affect their lives. The movie is a reminder of how easily life can be changed through a series of bad choices, such as alcohol abuse, poor self esteem, and mental illness. This movie is a must-see for anyone who appreciates a well written, well acted drama that does not take itself too seriously.
Don’t settle for the mainstream dreck that is usually on the screen during the fall season (Hostel, Silent Hill, Wolf Creek). Watch Roullete and see how talented individuals can create a far more rewarding and entertaining film than major studios. Frank Scoblete is a Brooklyn-born author who spent his youth getting an education and the rest of his adult years in the theatre, publishing, and casino gambling business. He has published 35 books and lives on Long Island.