Roulette has brought glamour, mystery, and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Although simple and easy to play, the game has a surprising level of depth for serious betters who know which bets to make, when to place them, and how to handle their winnings. This article will break down all the basics so you can start playing the game with confidence and reap high rewards.
To begin with, players should establish a betting unit based on their bankroll and stick to it no matter what. This will prevent them from spending more than they can afford to lose and ensure they do not overextend their money in an attempt to win back their losses. Next, they should review the house edge and bet types to understand how they work. This will help them choose the best bet for their budget and skill level.
Once a player has settled on their betting unit, they must purchase a roulette chip from the dealer (or croupier). The dealer will ask them what denomination they would like to designate for each chip. The chips are colored to differentiate them from each other, so players should be sure to keep themselves separated during the course of a game.
The Roulette Wheel
The Roulette wheel is a solid, slightly convex disc with a series of metal compartments called frets, or canoes, around its perimeter. Thirty-six of these pockets, painted alternately red and black, are numbered 1 to 36 in nonconsecutive order. A 38th pocket, painted green on European-style wheels and two on American-style ones, carries the number 0. The wheel is spun by a single, smooth-running ball inside a brass cage.
Outside bets, which cover categories of numbers rather than specific ones, are a safer play for beginner roulette players. These bets have a lower payout if they win but come with a much smaller house edge, which is just 2.70% on a European-style wheel.
The Dozens Bet, also known as douzaine in French, is one of these outside bets. It involves wagering that the winning number will be in either the first, second, or third dozen on the table. The payout is 2-1. The Odd or Even Bet, or impair et pair in French, is another outside bet that pays out at 2-1. If the winning number is a 0, however, the house wins. The ‘La Partage’ rule (which is available on some roulette games) improves this bet by dividing all even-money bets in half and giving the player half, reducing the house edge to just 1.35%.