Roulette is a casino game of chance that has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to gamblers since the 17th century. It’s also a game of strategy, and the right approach can help you increase your winnings. While it might seem like a simple game to play, there’s actually a surprising level of depth for those who want to get serious about their wagers.
A croupier spins a wheel in one direction and then throws a small ball into the slot, a small tilted circular track that runs around the outside of the wheel. The ball then stops in one of the slots on the roulette table, and winners are paid according to their betting odds. There are a variety of bets you can place on the table, including straight-up bets and group bets such as red-black, odd-even, first, second and third dozen, and high-low.
The roulette wheel is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with a flattened outer rim that contains thirty-six metal compartments, called separators or frets by casino employees. A croupier (or dealer) spins the wheel, while players place their chips on the table. Each roulette table carries a placard that lists the minimum and maximum bets. The dealer then clears all losing chips from the table, pays winners, and then starts the next round with a fresh set of chips.
Before betting, you should read the rules of the game and select a roulette table within your budget. Each table carries a minimum bet and maximum bet amount and the payouts are higher for inside bets than outside bets.
Once you’ve selected a table, look for the sign that indicates how much each bet will pay out (usually written in French). You can then make your choices. Unlike American roulette, European roulette has only one zero, which significantly reduces the house edge from 2.7% to 1.3%.
Once the dealer announces “No More Bets,” you must place your chips on the desired number slot before the croupier spins the wheel. Be careful not to bet too quickly, as you might lose your entire bankroll in a single spin. If you do win, cash out your chips as soon as possible to avoid taking additional risks with your winnings. Also, be sure to keep your winnings separate from your original stake so you can continue to bet within your budget. Good luck!
