Roulette has offered glamour and mystery to casino-goers since the 17th century. Its rules are simple, yet it provides a surprising level of depth for serious players looking to improve their odds.
The game consists of two elements: the betting table (Felt) and the wheel. The betting table has all the possible bets, while the wheel determines the outcome of each round played. Each time the dealer spins the wheel, the ball will drop into one of the numbered compartments of the wheel. The player who placed the chips on that number will win. The dealer will place a marker on the winning number and pay out the winners. Any winning bets left up are then available to be wagered again in the next round.
There are several strategies that can be used in roulette, but they all boil down to correctly guessing which number or type of numbers will hit. A quick search of the internet will yield countless roulette systems, some easy, some complicated, but all claiming to improve a player’s odds.
A roulette wheel is a spinning disc, slightly convex in shape, with 37 or 38 compartments colored alternately red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. On European wheels, a compartment in the center of the wheel carries the symbols 0 and 00. The compartments are separated by metal partitions called “frets” or “canoes,” and the croupiers use them to make bets on the next spin.
Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed. The minimum bet is usually the same across all tables, but the maximums are higher for outside bets, which have a lower house edge than inside bets.
When playing roulette, it is important to set a budget and choose a table that allows you to bet within your limits. To play, give the dealer your money and ask for “colour” chips, which have a value equal to the table’s minimum bet. Between spins, the dealer will clear losing bets off the table and place a marker on the winning number.