Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino goers since the 17th century. It is easy to play but has a surprising depth of strategy for serious betters. This article offers a simple overview of the rules and how to make money playing this game.
The first thing a beginner learning how to play Roullete must understand is that the house edge of a particular wheel and table differs between American, European and French roulette, the three major variations beginners should know. The house edge for the American game is higher because there are a single and double zero on the table and wheel, while the European and French games have only one zero. These differences add up to increase the player’s probability of losing a bet, but this probability can be slashed by using certain strategies.
To lower the house edge, a beginner should learn to play outside bets. These bets pay more when the ball lands on them and have a lower chance of winning than bets placed on specific numbers. These bets include the street, corner and six-line bets. They also include red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens and column bets. The simplest way to place these bets is to place a chip on the line that separates two adjacent numbers. If the ball lands on that number, you win; otherwise you lose.
Inside bets, on the other hand, have a much higher house edge but can bring in more money. These bets are placed on individual numbers and grouped into several categories such as the straight-up, split, and street bets. There are also a dozen and column bets, which are placed on groups of 12 or 13. A straight-up bet pays 1 to 1, while the split bet pays 2 to 1. The street bet wins when the ball lands on either of the two adjacent numbers in a row.
Another way to cut the house edge is by understanding the physics of roulette. In the 1970s, a group of physics postgraduates known as the Eudaemons used theoretical insights and a rudimentary computer concealed in a shoe to beat roulette in Nevada. Unfortunately, the group never published their research and the details of the method remain a secret.
Once a player has understood the basics of the game, the next step is to determine a budget and choose a table within it. Each roulette table carries a placard with its minimum and maximum betting limits. The dealer will ask you how much each of your chips is worth, and mark them accordingly. Roulette is played with specialized casino chips, and each person is given a different color of chip to indicate their value. The dealer will then hand you your chips and the game begins. Each bet must be made before the dealer spins the wheel. When the wheel stops, the croupier will announce the winning number and payouts will be made. The roulette table should be kept neat and orderly to prevent cheating.
