Roulette is a game that has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Although it may seem simple and straightforward, it has a surprising depth for serious betters who apply the right strategy. We’ve put together a guide to help you learn the ropes of this casino classic.
This article covers everything from the rules of roulette, how to make bets, and even a few strategy tips to help you win more often. We’ll also explain the odds of winning, payouts, and more. By reading this article, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a roulette pro.
When you enter a casino, look for the roulette table and a dealer (or croupier). You’ll be given a colored chip to designate your bet amount. You can buy chips at any denomination, but a $5 minimum is common. You’ll also notice a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets allowed for that particular table.
The roulette wheel is a solid metal disk slightly convex in shape with thirty-six numbered compartments around its rim that alternate between red and black and are also labeled odd and even numbers. There’s also a green division that’s labeled 0 on European-style wheels and two green pockets on American-style tables. The wheel spins clockwise or counter-clockwise and the ball is dropped into one of the compartments.
Bets are placed by placing your chips on a betting mat, with the precise placement of each chip indicating the type of bet you’re making. Bets on six or less numbers are called “Inside bets,” while bets on 12 or more are known as “Outside bets.”
There are several different types of bets you can place, but the best ones for beginners are probably the Straight Up or Split bets. These bets are straightforward and offer a high payout of 17-1 if you win. The Dozens Bet, or d’Alembert bet, is another popular choice. This wager is made on whether the winning number will be in the first, second, or third dozen on the layout. There’s also a Single Number bet, which is placed on a specific number (usually 7) and pays out 1:1.
The other bets you can make are based on the dozens or even/odd. These bets are more conservative than the other options, but they still offer a good chance of winning. The simplest of these is the Dozens Bet, which is placed by placing your chips on the outer border of either the first or the second dozens (depending on your preference). This bet pays out 2:1 if you win. Other bets include the Line Bet or Sixline Bet, which straddles a horizontal line between two rows of three consecutive numbers; this bet pays out 5-1 if you win. The final bet is the Corner Bet or Square Bet, which covers four numbers in a square. This bet pays out 8:1 if you win.