How to Play Roulette
Understanding how to play roulette is very simple and consequently its one of the easiest casino games to play. The roulette wheel is one of the key components to understanding the game, next to the roulette table. Once you are familiar with the wheel you wont have much trouble understanding the table, which merely lays out the wheel into numbers, groups of numbers to bet on.
The "American" version of roulette will have a wheel with 38 pockets, each of an alternating color black then red. These black and red pockets are numbered 1 through 36. This version of roulette also contains a 0 pocket and a 00 pocket both colored green. In the "European" version of roulette there is no 00 pocket thus the house edge is half that offered on the American roulette wheel.
The roulette wheel is often misinterpreted and many believe the layout is random. However the numbers are actually strategically placed to ensure a certain mathematical balance; the high and low as well as the odd and even are alternately placed as far as possible.
Once you are familiar with the wheel and you understand the available numbers comprehending the table is quite simple. The table layout can be considered a "road map" for the game. It contains all the numbers appearing on the wheel and is arranged to offer a variety of bets. Single numbers, colors, groupings of numbers each offering the player different odds of winning.
Before you can begin playing you will first need to purchase roulette chips from the table assistant, called a croupier. Each roulette table will have its unique betting limit requirements and each will also have uniquely colored chips. These chips assist in distinguishing player's bets from one another.
In order to place a bet you will place your chips onto the table in the location of your bet. Once the bets are placed, the croupier will spins the wheel in the clockwise direction while spinning the ball counter-clockwise. After the ball circles around a few times it will fall and bounce around and come to rest in one of the pockets. The croupier will then move a marker on the table marking the winning number. Players who have bet that number or meet the betting requirements by selecting that color, even or odd, or that group will be paid off according to the payout schedule. If 0 or 00 come then all players will lose their wagers unless they have bet on those pockets to hit.
It is normal procedure to pay outside bets first, then inside bets. As soon as the marker denoting the previous winning number is removed by the dealer the next wagering period will commence. You will need to pay attention because previous winning bets are normally left on the table. If you do not remove them prior to the next "no more bets" call you may be considered to be betting on the next round.
Below are the odds for various types of betting options available to you while playing roulette.
A good percentage of players enjoy even money bets or the outside bets. Betting that the ball will end on an Odd, Even, High (19-36), Low (1-18), Red, or Black number will give players a 47.37% chance of winning and will result in a payoff of 1:1.
Some gamblers like the long shots and will bet on just one number. This bet gives players just a 2.64% chance of winning, but if it hits it will payoff at 35:1.
Players may also bet on two numbers, this is considered a split bet and it pays off 17:1 with a 5.26% chance of hitting. This bet may be made by chip placement.
A three-way bet may be made and gives players a 7.89% chance and pays off at 11:1. This bet may be made by chip placement.
A four number bet, also referred to as a corner bet may be made by placing a chip on the corner covering four numbers. A winning wager here pays of at 8-1 and gives players a 10.53% chance of winning.
There is a five-number bet, which would cover 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, which pays off at 6-1, but since this is the only bet which gives the House almost an 8% advantage, it is not a recommended play.
One may also place a six-number bet, also referred to as a six line or line bet. It pays off at 5-1 and gives players a 15.79% chance of winning.
There are also dozens (by thirds on the layout, 1-12, 13-24, 24-36) and column row bets. On the layout, each dozen may be played by placing your chips in the appropriate box. Dozens pay off at 2:1, with the column bet paying 2-1 as well both giving players a 31.58% chance of winning. |
