The Basics of Roullete

Roullete, which means “little wheel” in French, is a game that has offered glamour and mystery to casino-goers since the 17th century. Although the rules are relatively simple, roulette offers a surprising depth of strategy for serious players and can deliver high rewards.

The game involves a small, white ball that rolls around a tilted circular track on a wheel. Players place bets on a number, color (red or black), or groupings of numbers. The odds of winning are determined by the number of chips a player wagers and how those bets are placed on the table.

To play, a player must purchase chips from the dealer. Each chip has a denomination assigned by the dealer. The player may choose from $1, $5, and $100 bets. Each player must bet only within his or her budget, so it is important to set one before playing. Each table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed. The maximum bets are typically higher for outside bets than for inside bets.

Roulette has a long history of controversy, including accusations of fraud and rigged wheels. Some professional gamblers are able to gain an edge in the game, but most systems cannot convert a subfair game into a profitable enterprise.

The house edge of roulette is 2.70% with the La Partage rule in place and 1.35% without it. This is based on the fact that all even-money bets are divided in half by the dealer, with half going to the house and half returning to the player.