The Basics of Roullete
Roullete (or Roulette) is a casino game involving the spinning of a wheel with numbered pockets and players placing bets on what numbers or groupings they think will win. The game is a staple of Monte Carlo and other European casinos, but it has one of the smallest followings in American gambling establishments, where it is often passed up by newer games like blackjack, video poker and craps. However, it still draws big crowds in Europe.
The rules of the game are simple enough for anyone to understand, and yet it provides a surprising level of depth for those who want to explore the deeper aspects of this classic table game. In addition, there are a few key points that will help players make smarter decisions while playing this exciting game.
To play, a player simply places chips on the betting mat, with precise placement indicating the bet. Typically, chips are placed on the outside edge of the table, which is marked with different colors to differentiate the outside bets from the inside bets. Bets on individual numbers or groups of numbers are called “outside bets.” These bets pay out much more frequently than bets on the 0 or 00 pocket, and the house edge is lower because the probability of hitting these bets is higher.
The roulette wheel itself consists of a solid wooden disk, slightly convex in shape and painted alternately red and black. Thirty-six of these pockets, which are numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36, and on the American version of the wheel two green compartments labelled 0 and 00, make up the total number of pockets on the wheel. These pockets are divided into equal sections or “canoes” by metal separators, known as frets by roulette croupiers.
Before putting any bets on the table, a player must first set their budget. Each table carries a placard that specifies the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Players should always choose a table within their budget and select bets that correspond with the type of roulette they are interested in. For example, a straight-up bet on the number zero costs 17 chips and pays 235 chips when it wins. In general, a winning bet will always pay out more than the player wagered, but the player’s wagered chips remain the property of the dealer and may be used again on the next spin. If no bet is made, the dealer will clear the table of any lost chips and the game is ready for the next round.