Roulette is a game that revolves around the ball spinning inside of a wheel and landing in a specific number. This simple game has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century.
Regardless of whether you play it online or in a land-based casino, there are a few things that you need to know to make the most of your roulette experience. These include the different types of bets and how they affect the payouts.
The Rules of Roulette
Before the wheel is spun, players place their chips on a betting mat in order to indicate which bet they want to make. There are different types of bets, and the amount of money that you can win depends on how many chips you choose to stake.
The numbers on a roulette table are numbered from 1 to 36 in a seemingly random pattern, with alternate red and black numbers. There is also a green division numbered 0.
This game relies on physics, specifically momentum. It is credited with being invented by French physicist Blaise Pascal, who was trying to create a perpetual motion machine.
There are two main types of roulette games: American and European. The latter is a better choice for gamblers because it has the lowest house edge.
While most roulette games offer the same winning chances, you may find some differences in the tables and wheels. You should be aware of these before you decide to play in a new casino.
One of the most common differences is that the French double zero version of the game is more difficult to cheat than its American counterpart, so be sure to check out the rules carefully before placing your bets. The French roulette table features the La Partage and En Prison rules that reduce the house edge to 1.35%, half the edge of the American version.
Betting Options and Payouts
Roulette has different types of bets, which are grouped into four categories: inside bets, outside bets, special bets and side bets. The inside bets are placed on individual numbers, whereas the outside bets cover groups of numbers.
The inside bets consist of a number of chips and a certain number of spaces on the betting mat. These bets vary in size depending on the number of chips that you bet and are a great way to maximize your winnings.
Special bets
The most popular of these bets is the ‘Dozens’ bet, which covers all 12 of the numbers on the layout. You can also place ‘Odd or Even’ bets on the 18 odd numbers and the 18 even ones.
You can also bet on the ‘Neighbours’ bet, which is a five-number bet that covers a number and 2 neighbouring numbers on each side of the table. This type of bet is most commonly found on French roulette, though it can also be available in online European variations.
The most important thing to remember when playing the game of roulette is that you cannot get out of it with just luck. In fact, you can lose a lot of money in just a few spins. However, with a little strategy and an understanding of the rules, you can actually win some serious cash.