Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games in the world, instantly recognizable from its distinctive spinning wheel. While the origins are debated, most sources agree that the current form of roulette was invented in France in the late 18th century. The name “roulette” comes from the French word for “little wheel”.
The objective of roulette is simple – correctly predict where the ball will land after the wheel is spun. Players can bet on a single number, a set of numbers, whether the number will be odd or even, or the color (red or black).
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The croupier spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite direction. Once the ball settles in a numbered pocket, payouts are made according to the bets placed.
Despite the randomness involved, roulette offers players an exciting game with multiple betting options. Its allure comes from the opportunity to win big on a small wager, combined with the hypnotic spin of the wheel and ball. Roulette has been enjoyed by casino patrons for centuries and remains among the most popular table games today. Let’s see How to Play Roulette Casino.
Table of Contents
ToggleRoulette Table Layout
The roulette table has a distinctive layout that consists of two main sections – the wheel itself and the betting layout.
The Wheel
The wheel is located in the center of the table and spins in one direction with either 37 or 38 numbered slots depending on whether it’s a European or American roulette wheel. The European wheel has a single 0 while the American wheel has a 0 and 00 slot.
The numbers on the wheel are not in consecutive order but are arranged randomly. The slots are alternately colored red and black except for the 0 and 00 which are green.
The Betting Layout
Surrounding the wheel is the betting layout which is a grid that allows players to place various bets. Bets are placed by putting chips on the desired section before the dealer spins the wheel.
The layout has inside and outside betting sections. Inside bets are placed directly on the numbered slots and pay out higher amounts. For example, you can bet on a single number straight up which pays 35:1.
Outside bets refer to the options surrounding the main grid. These cover categories like red/black, odd/even, 1-18/19-36 and have lower payouts but better odds. You can also bet on columns or dozens like 1st, 2nd or 3rd dozen which have 2:1 payouts.
Understanding the table layout allows you to take full advantage of the various bet types and payouts when playing roulette.
Placing Bets
The key element that makes roulette exciting is the placing of bets. This is how you can win money at the roulette table. Here’s what you need to know about placing bets in a game of roulette:
Betting Chips
- Roulette tables don’t take cash bets. You will need to convert your cash into special roulette chips that are colored and have the value printed on them.
- Each player will receive a different chip color to identify their bets. You exchange your cash for roulette chips at the table.
- When you are ready to leave the table, you can exchange any remaining chips back into cash. This ensures the casino knows how much each person has wagered.
Announcing Bets
- Once you place your chips on the felt, you need to announce your bet to the dealer. This is so the dealer knows exactly what bet you want to make.
- State both the type of bet and amount you are wagering. For example: “Ten dollars on black” or “Fifty on number 17”.
- You can continue placing additional bets until the dealer says “No more bets”.
Types of Bets
There are two main categories of roulette bets – inside bets and outside bets:
- Inside bets are made on the numbered segments of the layout. This includes betting on a single number, splits, corners, etc. Inside bets have a higher payout but lower probability of winning.
- Outside bets are made on the categories around the edges of the layout. This includes betting on colors (red/black), dozens, columns, even/odd, high/low. Outside bets have a lower payout but higher probability of winning.
Knowing the types of bets, their payout odds, and which offer the best odds is key to playing roulette effectively.
Roulette Odds
The odds of winning at roulette depend on the type of bet you place. Here are the payout odds for the different bets:
Straight Up
- Pays 35:1
- You bet on a single number
- The odds of winning are 1 in 37 (1 in 38 on American wheels with 00)
Split
- Pays 17:1
- You bet on 2 adjoining numbers by placing a chip on the line between them
- The odds of winning are 1 in 17
Street
- Pays 11:1
- You bet on a row of 3 numbers by placing a chip on the edge line at the end
- The odds of winning are 1 in 11
Corner
- Pays 8:1
- You bet on 4 adjoining numbers by placing a chip at the intersecting corner
- The odds of winning are 1 in 8
Five Number
- Pays 6:1
- You bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 by placing a chip on the edge separating 0 and 1
- The odds of winning are 1 in 6 (only available on American wheels)
Six Line
- Pays 5:1
- You bet on 2 adjoining streets (6 numbers) by placing a chip at the intersecting edge between the streets
- The odds of winning are 1 in 6
Column/Dozen
- Pays 2:1
- You bet on a column or dozen (12 numbers) by placing a chip in the boxes marked at the end of the layout
- The odds of winning are 1 in 3
Even/Odd, Red/Black
- Pays 1:1
- You bet on 18 numbers (half the wheel) by placing a chip in the corresponding boxes
- The odds of winning are 18 in 37 (or 18 in 38)
The payout odds above are for European/French roulette. The odds may vary slightly for American roulette given the extra 00 slot. Understanding the payout odds for each type of bet is key to learning the game and developing roulette betting strategies.
Roulette Etiquette
Roulette may seem like a casual game, but there is some etiquette players should follow to ensure everyone has an enjoyable time at the table. Here are some tips on proper roulette etiquette:
Tipping
- Tipping the dealer is customary when playing roulette. If you have a big win, it’s polite to tip the dealer.
- A good guideline is to tip the dealer around 5% of your winnings. For example, if you win $100, you would tip $5.
- You don’t need to tip every single time you win. Use your discretion on when a tip is warranted based on the size of your win.
- Avoid tipping chips directly. Instead, place a cash tip beside your chips on the table so the dealer can discretely collect it. This avoids any awkwardness.
Handling Chips
- Always set your chips on the table, not on the layout. It can damage the felt over time.
- Don’t toss your chips to the dealer. Slide them gently across the felt instead.
- Be patient if the dealer needs to count out or consolidate chips. It’s part of the game.
- Keep your chips neatly stacked when not placing bets so they don’t get scattered around.
Pace of Play
- Know your bets before it’s your turn so you don’t hold up the game.
- Wait for the dealer to clear all losing bets before you reach for any winnings.
- Don’t celebrate wins obnoxiously out of respect for other players. A modest fist pump or smile is fine.
- If you’re unsure about the rules or need a refresher, wait for a lull in the action before asking the dealer.
Following proper etiquette makes roulette more enjoyable for both players and dealers. It’s about having respect, being patient, and not disturbing the flow of the game. With the right etiquette, your roulette experience will be smooth and polite.
Roulette Strategies
Roulette is a game of chance, meaning there’s no foolproof strategy to guarantee wins. However, some seasoned players use certain tactics to try to get an edge. Here are three of the most well-known roulette betting strategies:
Martingale
This is a negative progression strategy used to recover losses. You start by betting the table minimum on even money outside bets like red/black, odd/even, or hi/low. If you lose, double the bet. Keep doubling the wager until you get a win, then go back to the original minimum stake.
The goal is to recoup losses and earn a small profit equal to the original bet. This strategy can become very risky with repeated losses.
D’Alembert
This is a low-risk positive progression strategy. You slowly increase bets after losses but don’t double up. Start with a base wager amount. If you win, bet the base again. If you lose, increase the next bet by one unit. After a win, decrease it back down to the base. The system aims to recoup losses while limiting risk.
Fibonacci
This progressive strategy is based on the famous Fibonacci sequence of numbers. After each loss, you increase your bet to the next number in the sequence like 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc. After a win, go back two numbers in the sequence.
This system is considered aggressive like the Martingale but advances more slowly. It’s less risky but still requires a sizable bankroll to keep doubling and tripling bets.
The key to any of these strategies is sticking to the system and knowing when to stop. None can alter the house edge against you. They mainly aim to recover losses over multiple spins rather than score big wins.
Best Bets
When playing roulette, you want to place bets that maximize your chances of winning. Here are some of the best bets to make in roulette:
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Bet on Reds or Blacks
Betting on either red or black offers you a near 50/50 chance of winning. The payout is 1 to 1. This is one of the simplest roulette bets with the highest odds.
Bet on Odds or Evens
Similar to reds or blacks, betting on odds or evens also gives you close to a 50% chance of winning. This bet also pays out 1 to 1.
Bet on Columns
The roulette table layout has 3 columns of 12 numbers each. Wagering on a column pays out 2 to 1 and covers a large section of the wheel, giving you a 32.4% chance of winning.
Bet on Dozens
You can make a dozen bet on the first (1-12), second (13-24), or third (25-36) dozen. Each dozen bet has a 31.6% chance of winning and pays 2 to 1.
Place Six Line Bet
To make this bet, place your chip on the edge between two adjoining rows on the layout. This covers 6 numbers and has a 16.2% chance of hitting. The payout is 5 to 1.
Outside bets like reds/blacks have the highest odds and lowest payouts. Inside bets on specific numbers have lower odds but bigger payouts. Focus on the outside bets when starting out for better chances of winning.
Common Mistakes
Roulette can be an exciting game, but it’s important to avoid some common mistakes that can quickly drain your bankroll. Two major pitfalls to watch out for are chasing losses and breaking bankroll rules.
Chasing Losses
One of the biggest and most common mistakes is trying to chase losses by doubling or tripling bets after a losing streak. This is motivated by the hope of making back lost money quickly, but usually ends up digging a deeper hole. Chasing losses almost never works long-term, and leads to depleted funds.
It’s better to accept the losses, take a break if needed, and return to the original betting unit. The key is staying disciplined and remembering that the odds haven’t changed – a longer losing streak doesn’t mean you’re “due” to win. Stick to your set bankroll and bet size.
Breaking Bankroll Rules
Another common mistake is failing to manage your bankroll appropriately. Before playing, determine a set bankroll and reasonable bet sizing based on it. As a general rule, budget 1-5% of your bankroll per spin.
Many players get tempted to break these rules and bet more aggressively after wins in hopes of a big payout. But this is risky and can wipe out previous winnings fast. No matter how on a hot streak you think you are, stick to the percentages.
Also avoid “chasing” final profits by playing longer than planned in hopes of an elusive big win. Pay attention to when you reach your win goal, and be content cashing out at that point. Breaking bankroll rules leads to reckless bets that rarely end well.
Stay disciplined, follow bankroll guidelines, and don’t chase losses. This will lead to a much better overall experience playing roulette.
Other Roulette Variations
While the standard version of roulette is played in casinos worldwide, some variations change up the rules and table layout. The three main types are:
European Roulette
- Has 37 numbered slots on the wheel (1-36 and 0)
- Single zero gives the house an edge of 2.70%
- Considered the original version of the game
- More favorable odds for players compared to American roulette
American Roulette
- Has 38 numbered slots on the wheel (1-36, 0, and 00)
- The extra 00 slot increases house edge to 5.26%
- Created after the original European version
- Less favorable odds for players due to extra slot
Online Roulette
- Played virtually at online casinos and on mobile
- Can find European or American versions
- Often have additional rules or side bets
- Provides convenience of playing from anywhere
- Graphics and gameplay mimic physical tables
- Outcomes still random as spins use RNGs
While the core game remains the same, these variations change the available bets and odds. European roulette offers better player odds with its single zero, while American roulette gives the house a bigger advantage. Online roulette provides more accessibility and options for players worldwide.
Tips for Beginners: How to Play Roulette Casino
Roulette may seem intimidating at first, but following these tips can help beginners feel more comfortable and have fun while learning the game:
Start Small
- When first learning roulette, only play a few rounds and bet small amounts. This allows you to learn the flow of the game without risking too much money. Start with table minimum bets and don’t exceed your predetermined limit.
Learn the Rules
- Spend time upfront understanding roulette rules, odds, and betting types. Knowing the fundamentals will help you strategize, evaluate options, and avoid mistakes. Watch the dealer and other players to pick up on protocols.
Set Limits
- It’s critical to set win/loss limits before playing and stick to them. Determine the maximum amount you’re willing to lose for the session and stop playing if you reach that amount. Setting a win goal can also prevent you from giving back all your earnings. Take regular breaks and keep emotions in check.