Roulette is the classic casino game that combines glamour, mystique and excitement. But it also offers a surprising level of depth for serious bettors who employ the right strategy. In this article we will cover the basics of the game and offer a simple yet effective betting strategy that will help you win more often than not.
The basic rules of Roullete are relatively straightforward: a small ball is released in the opposite direction of a revolving wheel and players make bets on which red or black numbered compartment the ball will drop into as it comes to rest. Bets may be placed on a single number or various combinations of numbers that pay off at lower odds. There is a house edge, or advantage, over the player, but this can be minimized by choosing bets with higher probability of hitting.
A roulette wheel consists of a solid disk slightly convex in shape with a series of metal partitions or frets arranged in rows of twelve around the perimeter. These are painted alternately red and black and numbered non-consecutively from 1 to 36. There is a green compartment on European wheels numbered 0 and on American wheels two additional green pockets labelled 00. The wheel is spun by a croupier, who will place the ball in one of these compartments as it comes to a stop.
Once the ball has stopped, the croupier will place a marker (called a dolly) on the winning number on the table map and remove all losing bets. Winning bets will then be paid and the process will repeat. The game is played until the croupier announces “No more bets thank you.”
The best way to play Roulette is to start with a predetermined budget and only wager what you can afford to lose. Each table carries a placard describing the minimum and maximum stake per bet. Choose a table within your budget and remember that the maximum bet for inside bets is usually much higher than for outside bets. It is also a good idea to begin with ‘outside’ bets – groups of numbers rather than individual digits – as these are generally cheaper and have a higher likelihood of hitting.