Roulette is a casino game that has offered glamour and excitement to gamblers since the 17th century. Despite its seemingly simple rules, the game has many layers of depth that can be explored with careful study. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned player, it is important to know the odds of each bet type in order to maximize your chances of winning.
The game is played by placing chips on a roulette table and waiting for the dealer to announce “no more bets!” Once this announcement is made, the betting layout will lock and players must wait for the ball to fall into one of the compartments on the wheel. Throughout the course of the spin, players make bets on whether or not the ball will land in a red or black numbered compartment. Various bet types, including single number bets and groups of numbers, are available with different payouts.
When playing the game, be sure to choose a table within your budget and pay close attention to the betting minimums and maximums. Each roulette table carries a placard that clearly describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Generally, tables require higher bet amounts for inside bets and lower for outside bets.
The roulette wheel is a solid wooden disk with metal partitions that form thirty-six compartments (called the ‘canoes’ by croupiers) alternating between red and black. A solitary green compartment on European-style wheels carries the number 0 and two green ones on American wheels carry the numbers 1 and 2.
Before the wheel is spun, players place their bets on the table. The dealer then places the ball in a track around the edge of the wheel and the sloping surface causes it to slowly roll down until it stops and comes to rest. The house edge in Roulette is determined by the number of zeroes on the wheel. If the wheel has only one zero, as is the case in Europe, it reduces the house edge to 2.70% from 1.35% with two zeroes.
To play the game, simply give the dealer money and ask for ‘colour’ chips. These have a value equal to the amount you’ve given the dealer. The dealer will then give you chips in the desired denomination.