The Basics of Roulette
Written by
Roulette is one of the world’s most popular casino games and a thrilling ride of luck that can lead to big rewards. It has a reputation for glamour, mystery and excitement, but the rules are simple and easy to understand.
Players make bets by placing chips on a special Roulette table map. They must wait until the croupier (dealer) announces, “No more bets.” Then, they watch the ball bounce around and come to rest in a slot that has a particular number. If they made a bet on that number, they win.
The game has been a staple in casinos since the 17th century. It has a variety of legends about its origin, including that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal or by Dominican monks. Its popularity spread across Europe and then to America.
The Roulette wheel is a large, circular disk that has a varying number of pockets or compartments on its outer edge. These are painted alternately red and black, and are numbered non-consecutively from 1 to 36. There are also two green compartments labeled 0 and 00 on American wheels. The 0 and 00 aren’t part of the main numbers, but they give the house an extra advantage in the game, as it reduces your chances of winning by a significant amount.
When you play, the dealer will give you coloured chips that are worth the value of your bet. You must place your bets before the croupier throws the ball into the spinning wheel. The Roulette wheel spins in one direction and the small ball in the opposite direction, around a tilted track that runs along the wheel’s perimeter.
You can bet on any single number, grouping of numbers or even/odd combinations of numbers on the table map. Generally, the more specific your bet is, the higher the payout if you win. Outside bets are wagers on categories of numbers (propositions) rather than individual digits, and offer lower payouts but a greater chance of hitting. The line bet (or sixain in French) is a good choice for newcomers to Roulette, as it covers three consecutive numbers on the outer border of the table. This bet pays 5-1. The corner bet (or tiers) is another low-risk option, as it covers four adjacent numbers on the outer perimeter of the table. This bet pays 1-1. The straight up bet (or piquet) is the most expensive bet, as it covers all the numbers on the table. This bet pays 35-1 if it wins. If you are unsure of your strategy, start with the simpler inside bets and work your way up to the more complicated outside bets. Then, enjoy your luck! The wheel of fate may be unforgiving, but at least you can eat a delicious meal with the proceeds of your winnings. Happy gambling!