Roulette is one of the oldest casino games and offers a surprising amount of depth to serious players. The rules of this game are relatively simple but implementing the right strategy can reap high rewards.
The roulette wheel is a static wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with a spinning spindle supporting the wheelhead. The inner edge of the wheel is divided into compartments, or pockets, painted alternately red and black. Thirty-six of these pockets are numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36; the last two, which are green and carry the numbers 0 and 00, give the roulette wheel its distinctive chirping sound as it spins.
Once a bet has been placed, the croupier throws a small ball into the rotating wheel. The player then watches as the ball bounces around and eventually settles into a pocket marked with the number corresponding to the bet.
While the odds of winning a roulette bet are lower than in many casino games, it is still possible to make money playing this game. The key is to correctly guess the number, section or color on which the ball will land.
In order to be successful at this, players should start by setting a budget before entering the casino and selecting a table that fits within their limits. A roulette table will typically feature a placard with the minimum and maximum betting amounts allowed; be sure to read this information carefully before placing your bets.
Choosing the right roulette table is important for maximizing your profits. Almost all casinos offer multiple roulette tables, and each will carry a placard describing the game’s minimum and maximum bets. The minimum bet is generally lower for inside bets and higher for outside bets.
There are a variety of bets that can be made in roulette, but the most popular bet is the straight bet. This bet is placed by placing your chips on a single number on the roulette layout. If you win this bet, your payout will be 1:1.
The split bet (or cheval in French) is another good bet for those looking to increase their chances of winning. This bet involves placing your chip(s) to straddle the line between two numbers on the layout. If either of the numbers wins, your payout will be 17-1.
Other bets include the street or three-number bet, also known as a transversal in French. This bet is placed by putting your chip(s) on the border of a row of three consecutive numbers. If any of the numbers on the row wins, your payout will be 11-1. Outside bets are also available, and they include high or low, odd or even, and first or second or third dozen. However, if the ball lands on a 0 or a 00, all outside bets lose.