How to Win at Roulette

Roulette, a game of chance and high rewards, has brought glamour and excitement to casino-goers for centuries. The rules are simple enough for a casual observer to grasp, but the game provides an unexpected level of depth for those who are serious about betting. The right strategy can also reap high payouts.

The game consists of a wheel like that pictured here, with 38 (or, on modern European/Latin American tables, 37) divisions, into which people place chips. The ball then rolls around until it comes to rest in one of these compartments. Players make bets on which number the ball will hit by placing chips on a special table map. They can choose to bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, whether the number is red or black, and whether it is odd or even.

Each roulette table carries a placard with its minimum and maximum bets on it. Before beginning, players must decide which bets to make and set a budget for their play. A good strategy is to start by wagering on “outside bets” (groups of numbers rather than individual digits), which have higher winning chances but will still leave the player with some money left after a win.

Some players try to beat the house by using scientific understanding of the game’s mathematics and by analyzing the behavior of other players at the table. This approach isn’t new; the “Eudaemons,” a team of physics postgraduates, used theoretical insights and a rudimentary computer concealed in a shoe to win at roulette in Nevada in the 1970s.

When it comes to gambling, however, a good rule of thumb is to bet with your head and not your heart. Regardless of how much you make, you should always bet within your means and walk away when you’ve lost a substantial sum.