Roulette offers glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers around the world. Despite its simplicity, the game provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters and can reap high rewards if played with the right strategy.
Traditionally, a roulette wheel had 37 or 38 compartments marked off in red and black, plus one or two green pockets. The ball would be spun on the rim of the wheel and come to rest in a particular compartment indicating the winning number. The game was popular with gamblers because of its speed and simplicity. Today, the roulette wheel is made of synthetic materials, such as resin or Teflon, that closely resemble ivory for a more realistic look and feel. The game’s name is derived from the French word for “little wheel.”
In a game of chance, players place bets by placing chips on a betting mat. Each bet type has different payouts and odds. Bets on numbers grouped together (three in a row, for example) are called outside bets; those on individual numbers are known as inside bets. Players must bet a minimum of one chip for each number they want to select. The chips are placed on the specific area of the betting mat that shows where each bet type is located.
Once the table has been cleared of losing bets, the dealer will spin the wheel and roll a small ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track that runs around the perimeter of the wheel. When the ball reaches a stop, the dealer will announce ‘no more bets!’ This rule prevents players from placing additional bets before the wheel comes to a stop, and it helps prevent cheating by eliminating any advantage based on anticipatory actions.
After the spin, the dealer will mark the winning number and pay out winners. It’s important to cash out winning bets as quickly as possible, to avoid dipping into your original stake and potentially losing more money. It’s also a good idea to keep your winnings separate from your original bet amount so that you don’t have an incentive to increase your initial bet.
The first thing to do before betting is set a budget for the session. Establish the size of a betting unit based on your available bankroll and stick to it. It’s also a good idea not to play American roulette, as the house edge is higher than European roulette. If a casino offers both, choose European roulette. This version has one zero pocket and includes the La Partage rule, which lowers the house edge on even money bets to 1.35%.