Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world, offering glamour and mystery. Though it’s considered a game of chance, there are surprisingly complex and effective strategies that can boost your winning chances.
The game of Roullete consists of a spinning wheel with divisions marked red and black alternately, as well as a green division numbered 0. The wheel is spun and a ball dropped into one of the pockets. A player can wager on a single number, various groupings of numbers, whether the number is odd or even, red or black, high (19-36) or low (1-18). The game’s history is surrounded with fanciful tales of its invention by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal and by Dominican monks, among others. Regardless of the origins, roulette soon gained popularity in illegal gambling dens across France and spread expeditiously to New Orleans and then westward through America. By the late 18th century, French siblings Louis and Francois Blanc introduced a single zero pocket to the roulette wheel, significantly reducing the house edge and making it more appealing to gamblers.
Players place bets by laying their chips on the roulette table (aka layout) before the spin. Each bet type has its own specific payout and odds, based on the location of the numbers on the table map. For example, a straight-up bet on the number zero costs 17 chips to complete and pays 235 chips if it wins. The remaining wagered chips remain on the table in the absence of a request to the contrary and are up for grabs on the next spin.
When the dealer clears the losing bets from the table, players start placing their chips on their desired positions on the layout. Wagers on individual numbers are called “inside bets,” while those on groups of numbers are known as “outside bets.” Some players like to observe other players, in the hopes they’ll pick up clues that the others know something they don’t. However, watching the other players will only make you feel like a spy!
Before you play, learn the rules of the game. The most popular variation is European, which has a lower house edge than American roulette. If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with this version since it gives you the best odds of winning.