The Basic Rules of Roulette

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in both land-based and online casinos, and with good reason. It offers a surprising level of depth for serious bettors and can reap high rewards with the right strategy. But before you place your bet all on black, make sure you understand the game’s basic rules.

Essentially, roulette is a game of chance. Players place their chips on a special roulette table and then predict which slot the ball will fall into once the wheel stops spinning. The dealer spins the wheel in one direction while rolling a small ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track that runs around the outside of the roulette wheel. As the wheel and ball move, they leave behind a series of numbers that are called “pockets.” These pocket numbers are marked either red or black and can also be marked as odd or even.

The first rule to remember when playing roulette is that you are not allowed to place your bets until the dealer has announced, “No more bets!” This prevents any cheating or additional advantages by players as the wheel is about to come to a stop. This is especially important when playing online roulette, as the layout will lock once the dealer has announced no more bets.

Before you can start betting, you must purchase a roulette chip from the dealer (or croupier). Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bet amounts for the specific game. The minimum bets tend to be higher for inside bets, while the maximum bets are usually lower for outside bets. The casino will also assign each player a color of chip that corresponds to the denomination they want to use.

There are two main categories of roulette bets: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets involve placing your chips on a definite number or grouping of numbers, and they have lower winning odds and higher payouts. Examples include straight up, split, street, and corner bets. Outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers or the broader outlines of the table and are paid at lower odds. Examples include red/black, odd/even, high/low, and dozens bets.

Before you start playing, set a budget for your gambling session and choose a roulette table within your range. Each table carries a placard that lists the minimum and maximum bet amounts for the game. Generally, roulette tables have $5 minimum bets and $100 maximum bets on outside bets. You should also choose a table that allows you to make inside bets of at least the minimum amount. Lastly, decide how much you’d like to spend on each bet and stick to it. As with all casino games, roulette is primarily a game of luck, so avoid making grandiose bets that will quickly drain your bankroll.