Roulette is one of the most exciting casino games. It has a small learning curve and is fast-paced with numerous strategic options for betting. You can play roulette almost anywhere — from land-based casinos to online sites and on your mobile phone.
Roulette is a game of chance that pits the player against the house, which means you’ll always be playing against an opponent who has more information than you.
Several bets can be made while playing roulette, including outside bets, inside bets, even-money bets, double zero bets, and split bets. The best way to get started playing roulette is by reading this article!
What’s the Difference Between American and European Roulette?
American roulette wheels have a single zero wheel, while European roulette wheels have two zero wheels. This means that the payout for betting on a single number in American roulette is 36 times your initial bet, while in European roulette the payout is only 18 times your initial bet.
The American wheel has a house edge of 5.26 percent against the player, while the European wheel has a house edge of 2.7 percent against the player. American roulette is easier to play than European roulette, but it’s also less common.
If you can, try to play European roulette on a wheel with a single zero. The 2:1 payout for single numbers and the reduced house edge will make it much easier to win at roulette.
Roulette Rules and Payouts
Roulette is played in a casino’s gaming room. Most casinos offer the game in a variety of languages, including English. There are 38 numbered pockets on the table, one zero, and two green pockets that are used for placing inside bets.
A wheel with numbers 1–36 marked on its edge rotates around the table. When the ball lands in a pocket, that number is called out, and the player whose bet is placed on that number is paid according to the table’s payouts. The game is mainly played by placing inside or outside bets.
There are many types of bets, but we’ll explain the differences among popular types of bets below. The house edge varies from 2% to 10% depending on the type of bet you make.
The Basics of Playing Roulette
Like any other casino game, you play roulette by placing bets. There are three ways to bet: inside, outside, and even-money bets. Inside bets are bets that are placed on the table inside the “track” or the “wheels.” Outside bets are bets that are placed outside the track.
Inside bets are called “straight-up” bets and are placed inside the track. The best way to think of these is as bets on individual numbers. A six-number straight-up bet wins if the ball lands in any of the six pockets marked six.
The game also has bets on pairs of numbers and several other combinations of plays, as well as an “any-section” bet that wins if the ball lands in any of the 38 pockets.
Outside bets are called “street” bets. These are bets on a single number that’s either one above or one below the number on which the game is currently spinning. There are other kinds of outside bets, but we’ll focus on these two. The ball must land on the number on which you’ve placed the bet for you to win.
Common Bets in Roulette
There are several bets that can be made while playing roulette, including outside bets, inside bets, even-money bets, double zero bets, and split bets.
Outside Bets – Outside bets are placed on a single number that’s either one above or one below the number on which the game is currently spinning. A $15 bet on either of these numbers wins $30 if the ball lands on that number. – $30 Bet on the “Even” This is a $30 bet on the number that’s currently spinning.
This bet pays even money, which means that you’ll win $30 if it lands on a number (or any other number, as long as it’s not zero) and $30 if it lands on zero. Outside bets are not just placed on a single number. There are several other types of bets that can be made while playing roulette:
Inside Bets – Inside bets are placed on the numbers that are printed on the table inside the track. A six-number straight-up bet wins if the ball lands in any of the six pockets marked six.
The game also has bets on pairs of numbers and several other combination plays, as well as an “any-section” bet that wins if the ball lands in any of the 38 pockets. Inside bets are called “straight-up” bets and are placed inside the track.
Double Zero Bet – A double zero bet is a $10 bet that’s placed on the zero. This is a risky bet and one of the most common mistakes made by first-time roulette players. The double zero bet is the most volatile bet that can be made in roulette.
This means that the payoff for this bet is extremely high—and the house edge is extremely high, too. You’re looking at an edge of around 10% if you place this bet.
Split Bet – A split bet is a $10 bet that’s placed on the zero and inside the track. There are two options for this bet: betting on two adjacent numbers or betting on two opposite corners. The bet wins if the ball lands on either number. This is a risky bet, but if you’re lucky, it might pay out more than you put in.
How to Win at Roulette
Compared to blackjack, roulette is a much more difficult game to win. You can, however, reduce the house edge to less than 1% by playing a system known as the “martingale”. A martingale system at roulette involves doubling your bets after you lose and then quitting once you win.
The martingale system works by increasing your bet size significantly each time you lose, while keeping your winnings at the same level. This system is risky, but if you’re a disciplined, risk-aware player, it can help you win at roulette.
There are, however, a few things to keep in mind while playing roulette:
Play at the right time: Roulette is a very popular game, and casinos offer it throughout the day and night. But it’s best to play roulette during the “off” hours when there are fewer people playing the game. The fewer people playing roulette, the less chance there is of multiple people placing bets on the same number, thus reducing your winnings.
Remember to choose your table wisely: The table on which you place your bet doesn’t matter. But it does matter when it comes to the dealer. A place with low traffic is ideal, but most importantly, it should have a particular dealer whose tendencies you can figure out.
Know when to walk away: Just like in blackjack, it’s important to walk away from the game when you’re on a losing streak. There are no “bad streaks” in roulette. It’s a game of chance, so losing several times in a row is normal. But if you’re on a serious losing streak, walk away.
Final Words: Should You Play Roulette?
Roulette is a classic casino game that many people are familiar with. It’s a fun game to play and a great way to pass the time while on vacation or if you’re at a casino. It has a small learning curve and is fast-paced with numerous strategic options for betting. You can play roulette almost anywhere — from land-based casinos to online sites and on your mobile phone.
