Roulette has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Its rules are relatively simple, but the game provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters. The right strategy can reap high rewards.
To play, you must first purchase a roulette chip from the dealer (called a croupier). The croupier will ask how many chips you want to buy; each player is assigned a colored chip for easy identification. You will also be asked what denomination you want to designate for each chip. Some casinos have a minimum bet of $5 per round, while others have a maximum bet of $500 or more.
A roulette wheel consists of a static bowl and a spinning disk, called the wheelhead. The wheelhead is divided into thirty-six compartments, alternately painted red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36; on European wheels, a 37th compartment, called a “canoe” by roulette croupiers, carries the sign of 0. The inner rim of the bowl contains a series of metal “separators,” or frets, that divide the space around the wheelhead into different segments.
The croupier sends the ball spinning, and when it comes to rest in a pocket, the table bettors win or lose. Unlike most casino games, you cannot place bets on individual numbers; instead, you must make a group of bets that cover more than one number. This is known as an “outside bet.”
Outside bets include a straight bet (also known as a single-number bet) and a split bet (also known as a cheval or a transversal). The payout for a straight bet is 17-1. A split bet involves placing chips to straddle two adjacent numbers, and the payout is 8-1. A street bet (or triple bet, or trio) covers a row of three consecutive numbers and pays out 12-1.
Some players attempt to gain an edge in roulette by seeking out rigged wheels or by betting opposite large bets. However, these tactics do not improve the odds of winning more than a small amount. The most effective way to beat the house edge is to play only with money that you can afford to lose and to stick to a plan.
Before each spin, you should establish the size of your betting unit based on your bankroll. It is recommended that you always start with a unit that is equal to 1% of your bankroll, and that you only use it for Roulette bets. Using this strategy, you can keep your losses low and your winnings high. Some players enjoy watching their opponents to see what numbers they choose, hoping that the other players know something that they don’t. This is a risky practice that can backfire, especially for beginners. If you are new to the game, it is best to play with a smaller bet and work your way up to a bigger bet as you become more comfortable with the rules. However, it is important to remember that Roulette is a game of chance and there are no guarantees that you will win every time.
