The game of roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since its 17th century origins. But what many casual players don’t know is that the game has a surprising level of depth for those willing to take the time to study it. And the right strategy can reap high rewards.
To the casual observer, the numbers on a roulette wheel seem to be tossed about randomly. The only apparent pattern is that the colors alternate, and that usually two odd numbers will be adjacent to each other while two even numbers will also be adjacent. In fact, the distribution of numbers on the wheel was carefully arranged so that, on average, the sum of the number in any one section would be about equal to the sum of the total in another section of equal size.
The wheel itself consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with a circumference covered by metal frets that are divided into 36 nonconsecutive compartments (or “pockets”). A 37th compartment, painted green, carries the number 0. Two green compartments on American wheels are labelled Logo and 00. The wheel is mounted on a spindle at the center of the table.
Each player receives a set of colored chips that are different from normal casino chips, to help differentiate the bettors and keep track of each person’s wagers. Players must remain separated during play, and spouses are recommended to separate. Unlike other casino games, roulette chips do not have a denomination printed on them, but are valued according to the player’s buy-in. When a winning bet is placed, the dealer removes the chip from the table and places it on a special marker marking the number won. The dealer then clears the table and pays the winners, before beginning the next round.
To win at roulette, you must correctly guess where the ball will land on a given spin. To maximize your odds, start by placing outside bets. These bets offer lower payouts but higher chances of hitting. Alternatively, you can bet on a single number or groupings of numbers such as red or black, odd or even, or first (1-12), second (12-24), or third (25-36, Moyenne douzaine or P12).
