Roulette has been bringing glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. It’s easy to understand and can be quite lucrative if played correctly. It’s one of the few casino games that can be enjoyed from anywhere in the world and it’s even possible to play Roullete online.
The game revolves around a numbered wheel that spins and a small ball that is dropped into the wheel, spinning as it goes. The ball eventually settles on a number and if the player has bet on that number, they win. There are different bet types that offer various odds and payouts depending on how many numbers a player chooses to bet on.
To play, the players place chips in designated areas of the table – called streets – and then a dealer turns the wheel while the ball is in motion. The wheel consists of a solid, slightly convex wooden disk with metal compartments or pockets, painted alternately red and black and numbered non-consecutively from 1 to 36. On European-style wheels a 37th compartment, painted green, carries the sign “0”, while on American-style wheels two green compartments – labeled 0 and 00 – are found on opposite sides of the wheel.
There are several rules to be followed, most of which are designed to prevent cheating and other unsportsmanlike behavior. For example, players must not place any more bets after the dealer announces ’no more bets!’ The dealer must also clear the table before each new round. It’s also important to remember that the game of roulette is a game of chance and you should never bet more than you can afford to lose.
The best way to maximize your chances of winning is to follow a strategy. This can be as simple as establishing a betting unit that reflects your available bankroll. Then stick to that unit for the duration of your session. If you are playing at an online casino, it is recommended that you choose a European version rather than the American version as it has a much lower house edge. If possible, select a European roulette game with the ‘en prison’ rule which means that an even-odds bet that loses to a zero pays half. This improves the overall house edge to just 1.35%.
