Roulette is a popular casino game that uses a wheel and ball to produce the outcome. There are many different types of bets you can make on roulette, and each one offers a different payout and odds for winning.
The Rules of Roulette
The rules of roulette are quite simple – it is a game of chance. The croupier throws a ball into a wheel and it spins around the table until it settles in one of the numbered pockets on the outer edge of the wheel. The number on the ball determines the next spin of the wheel.
How the Wheel Works
The wheel consists of a wooden disk with divisions on its surface that are numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36 in red and black. There is also a green division marked 0 on American wheels, and a double green division on European wheels.
How to Place a Bet
When playing roulette, you will need to place chips on the table in order to bet on the number that will come up on the spin of the wheel. These chips are placed on the betting mat – the exact location of which you should know, so you can be sure you have put the right amount in.
A bet on a single number is known as an inside bet, and a bet on groups of numbers is called an outside bet. The more numbers you bet on, the higher your chances are of winning a large sum of money.
There are many different kinds of inside bets you can make on roulette. These include:
Split Bet/Split Cheval (French)
In this bet, you place your chip(s) to straddle the line between two numbers on the layout. If either of these numbers wins, you will win a 17-1 payout.
Street Bet/Three Number Bet/Side Bet/The Trio: This is another bet that has many different names in French. You place your chip(s) on a line that connects two rows of numbers on the layout. If the two rows of numbers match, you will win a 11-1 payout.
The Odd or Even Bet: This bet is also known as impair et pair in French, and it’s another bet that offers even money. You bet that the winning number is one of the 18 odd numbers, or a 0-or-00.
Announced Bets: This is a special bet that is most commonly found on French Roulette, though it is available in some online European Roulette variations. You can place this bet by placing the chips on the betting area, and it is a good choice for beginners as it will help you understand the rules of the game better.
While a lot of people believe that roulette is a game of luck, there are actually skills involved in playing the game. The most important skill is knowing the different kinds of bets and when to make them.