Roulette offers glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers. Its relatively simple rules give the game a surprising level of depth and the right strategy can reap high rewards. But if you are new to this popular game, there are some basics you need to know.
In a roulette round, players place their chips on the table map. The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and rolls a ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track that runs around the outside of the wheel. When the ball stops, winning and losing bets are removed from the table and the winners paid. The dealer then clears the table and begins the next round.
The number of numbers on the roulette wheel ranges from 1 to 36, including a single zero. The game is named after the French word for “little wheel,” and it was invented more than 300 years ago by a mathematician named Blaise Pascal.
While some people may think that the game’s randomness makes it impossible to develop a system that will consistently win, it is important to understand that there are actually many different ways to play roulette. The key is to choose a bet type that fits your personal style and budget.
Each roulette table carries a placard with the minimum and maximum bets allowed. The minimum bet is generally $5 per spin, and the maximum bet on inside bets can be up to $1000. If you are unsure of what bet to make, the dealer can help you.
When you are ready to bet, you must first purchase a chip from the dealer. You can select any color of chip to represent your denomination, which is determined by the amount you buy in. Each player also receives a unique colored chip to identify them on the table.
It’s best to start by placing a bet on a single number or on a grouping of numbers. Inside bets are more likely to hit, but they have a higher house edge than outside bets. Some players choose to bet on entire sections of the layout, called dozens. For example, a bet on the second dozen pays 1 to 1, which is better than the odds of hitting any individual number.