How to Play Roulette
Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th Century. It’s easy to learn and offers a surprising amount of depth for serious bettors.
The basic game is simple enough: the objective is to correctly guess which number or type of bet the ball will land on when the dealer spins the wheel. You do this by placing colored chips on the table. Each chip has a particular value and you can place chips in groups such as on red, black, odd, even, first, second and third dozen or the high and low numbers.
After the players have placed their bets, the croupier spins the wheel and throws the ball in the direction of one of the numbered slots on the wheel. If the ball lands in one of those numbered slots, the players will win according to their bets. Outside bets are generally lower in payouts but offer higher chances of winning.
A successful bet on a street (row of three numbers) pays out 17 to 1. A successful corner bet pays 8 to 1, and a successful diamond bet pays 6 to 1. Outside bets are generally less risky than inside bets and offer better odds of winning.
Before the game starts, the croupier clears the table of the previous round’s betting. Then the players place their bets by laying down their chips on a betting mat. This betting mat has specific French terms, although you can bet in English too.
The roulette wheel has divisions that are numbered 1 to 36 in a random pattern and alternate between red and black with an additional green division for the zero. There are also a couple of special bets, known as la partage and en prison, that can make your stake back if your bet hits zero. However, this rule is only used when playing European roulette and is often not available online.
Once you’ve placed your bet, click the spin button to watch the ball whizz around and hopefully fall into a pocket. If it does, you’re a winner and will receive your winnings immediately. If it doesn’t, you can always try again. If you’re lucky enough to win again, then the accumulated winnings will be added to your account. You can then withdraw those funds or play more. The house edge in roulette is quite high compared to other games, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you beat the game. Having a good strategy is key to a successful roulette session. Those who know what they’re doing can make big profits with the right bets and the right bankroll. Good luck!