The Basics of Roulette
Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. While the game might seem simple, there is a surprising depth to it that offers significant rewards for serious players. This article will explain the basic rules and offer some tips on how to improve your chances of winning.
The game’s main components are a wooden wheel, a spinning ball, and the wagering area where players place their chips. The wheel consists of a solid disk slightly convex in shape with divisions around its perimeter. These are painted alternately red and black and numbered 1 to 36. On European wheels a single green compartment carries the number zero; American roulette tables have an additional double green zero.
To make a bet, players select the color of chips they wish to use and place them on the appropriate section of the betting table. Each player gets a unique set of roulette chips to help them distinguish themselves from other bettors. Unlike other casino games, you cannot change or retract your bets once the ball starts to spin. Once the wheel stops, the dealer announces the winning number and places a marker on the chip to indicate it as such. The dealer then clears all losing bets from the table, pays out any winners and begins a new round of wagering.
The inside bets are placed on specific numbers or groups of numbers and typically pay the highest amounts if you win. Outside bets, on the other hand, cover a group of numbers and are generally less risky, though they have lower payouts. The Line Bet/Six Number Bet/Six-Line Bet: Also known as a cheval in French, this bet is made by placing your chips to straddle the line between two rows on the layout. This bet has a lower payout, but is better for beginners as it’s less likely to lose.
Dozens Bet: This bet, called a douzaine in French, is made by placing your chips on either the first dozen (1-18), second dozen (19-36) or third dozen (38-46). This is an even money bet, which means that if the ball hits a zero or 00 you’ll lose.
The house edge in roulette is a little higher than other casino games because of the presence of a double zero on the American version of the game. However, the game still pays out up to 35 times your bet on a single number which is close to what many consider a jackpot. If you want to try your hand at the game before you invest in a set of roulette chips, you can practice online for free and see how you fare. This will help you get a feel for the game and decide if it’s something you might enjoy playing for real money. You’ll also learn about the different types of bets that are available and what the odds are.