The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It’s easy enough for beginners to play, yet offers lots of betting options for experienced players. In fact, you can find it at just about any casino that has table games. It’s even played in some non-casino venues, such as bars and restaurants. This fast-paced game of chance is based entirely on luck and can be an exciting experience for anyone.
The basic roulette game consists of a table marked off with red and black numbers, one or two zeros, and various other sections affording the players a variety of betting opportunities. A revolving, dishlike device, called a roulettewheel, has in its center compartments labeled 1 to 36, with an additional green compartment bearing the sign 0. The wheel also has a spindle that supports the rotating bowl and a hopper where the chips are deposited. The number distribution is randomized, but most of the sections on the wheel contain pairs of numbers, with two odd and two even, or vice versa.
Players place their bets on the table and a croupier, or dealer, then throws a ball into the roulettewheel. Players can continue placing their bets while the wheel is spinning, until the croupier announces that “no more bets,” and the players watch as the ball bounces around the wheel until it settles into a compartment that marks a number. If that number corresponds to one of their bets, they win.
Outside Bets
There are several types of outside bets in roulette, all with different payouts. The Street bet (or bet à la roue) is placed by putting your chip(s) on the outside border of the table, between two rows of numbers. This bet pays 5-1, and is better for newer players who want to take less of a risk but still have the opportunity to win big.
The Dozens Bet (or bet en somme) is similar to the Street bet, except that it’s placed on either the first (12 numbers), second (12 numbers), or third (12 numbers). The Dozens bet pays 2-1.
Though some people try to gain an edge in roulette by using complex systems, the house’s advantage is purely mathematical. No betting system can convert a subfair game into a profitable enterprise. Nevertheless, some professional gamblers have found ways to maximize their profits by seeking out rigged wheels and making large bets. These tactics, however, are usually illegal and can result in a gambling ban. Moreover, many casinos now have cameras that monitor the entire room to prevent these kinds of violations.