Roulette is an iconic casino game, instantly recognizable by its spinning wheel and casino the small white ball that determines players' fortunes. The game's French name translates to "little wheel," and its reliance on pure luck makes it thrilling for all types of players.
The Basics: Wheel Layout and Objective
At its heart is a large wheel sectioned into pockets, each with a unique number. The two primary versions of roulette are:
European Roulette: It features numbers 1 through 36 plus a single green zero, for a total of 37 slots. This is the preferred version for casino players as its house edge is lower. Double-Zero Roulette: This variant is identified by its 38 pockets, which include both a "0" and a "00". Players face worse odds in this version because of the "00".
The objective is to predict which numbered pocket the ball will land in after the wheel stops spinning.
Placing Your Wagers
The bets you can make are split into two groups: Inside Bets and Outside Bets.
Inside Bets
These bets are on the numbers themselves and feature long odds with high rewards.
Straight Up: A single-number bet that pays 35:1. Split: A two-number bet that pays 17:1. Street: Betting on a three-number row. Corner: A bet on a group of four numbers. Payout is 8 to 1.
Outside Bets
These are bets placed on broader categories of results on the outside of the layout. They have lower payouts but a much higher chance of winning.
Red/Black: A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black. Payout is 1 to 1. Odd/Even: A bet on whether the number will be odd or even. Payout is 1 to 1. High/Low: Betting on the number falling in the 1-18 or 19-36 group. Dozens/Columns: A bet on one of three dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) or one of three columns. Payout is 2 to 1.
Roulette Systems
As a game of independent random events, no betting system can alter the mathematical house advantage. While popular, betting systems like the Martingale are flawed and can wipe out your funds in a short amount of time. The smartest approach is to play responsibly, set a budget, and stick to the European version of the game.