The Basics of Roullete
Roullete, also known as Roulette, is a casino game in which players bet on the color or type of number that will appear on the revolving wheel. Bets are made on a single number, various groupings of numbers, whether the number is odd or even, and whether the numbers are high (19-36) or low (1-18). The game emerged in Europe in the late 18th century from the older games hoca and portique. There are a number of different ways to play Roullete, and the game is popular in casinos worldwide.
A roulette wheel consists of a solid, slightly convex disk with a series of metal partitions or “frets” that are alternately painted red and black. The compartments are numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36, and on European-style wheels there is a separate green compartment numbered 0. The addition of the green zero makes American roulette a worse proposition than European roulette.
Before the wheel is spun, people place their bets by laying down chips on a betting mat that indicates their desired wager. Each table carries a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Generally, players start by placing bets on “outside bets” (groupings of numbers rather than individual digits), which are cheaper and have a higher likelihood of winning.
The size, weight and material of the ball can have a significant impact on the outcome of a spin. For example, a small, light ceramic ball will bounce around more unpredictably on the wheel track than a big, heavy ivorine ball. Some players like to watch their fellow players, either hoping to discover a secret strategy or just to learn from the actions of others. However, this can be a waste of time and is not likely to improve their odds significantly more than chance would otherwise dictate.
While many bettors believe that there is a way to beat the math of roulette by using complex computer programs and complicated betting strategies, most such systems are ineffective. In addition, the casino industry is unwilling to make any changes that might reduce profits by limiting play or deter casual gamblers. Consequently, there are still some aficionados who claim to have figured out a way to predict the result of a spin.