Roulette is a game of chance that has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Its rules are relatively simple and easy to understand, but it provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters. Its history is filled with fanciful stories, including that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal or by Dominican monks. The truth is that it likely evolved from older games like hoca and portique, but reached its current form around the time of the American Revolution.
Roulette has many variations, but the most common at online casinos and brick-and-mortar locations is European roulette. This version has a single zero pocket that cuts the house edge to a low 1.35%. This gives players a higher chance of winning.
There are several betting options, but beginners should start by wagering on “outside bets” (groups of numbers instead of individual digits) as they tend to pay out more often. You can also try placing a chip on the end of any column on the table map. If the ball stops there, you win. Then move on to other bets as you gain experience.
The Street Bet/Three Number Bet/Side Bet/The Trio: Simply place your chips on the outside border of a row to make this bet. The payout is 2 to 1. The Dozen Bet: Place your chips on one of the three ’12’ columns on the roulette felt. You win if the ball hits any of the numbers in your chosen column.
The Line Bet/Six Number Bet/Sixline Bet: This bet is similar to the Street Bet, but it’s a little more conservative. You place your chips to straddle the line between two rows of numbers on the table map. The payout is 5 to 1.
This is a great bet for newcomers to the game, as you can get a feel for how the odds work with this bet type. The James Bond Strategy: This is a good bet for newcomers to roulette who want to combine the best of both worlds. It requires a bigger bankroll to be effective, but it has a high probability of hitting a winning combination. It’s important to remember that roulette is a game of chance, so don’t get caught up in grandiose or complicated strategies. Just have fun and know when to walk away!
