Roulette is one of the most popular casino games around the world, but with so many choices to bet on, how do you actually play the game?
The game has been a casino mainstay for centuries, and the basics of the game are very easy to grasp.
So let’s get to it…
How Do You Play Roulette?
Roulette is a very simple game. T0 play it, all you have to do is follow these steps:
Understand The Basics
Roulette is a casino game played with a wheel divided into numbered slots and a table with corresponding numbers.
The two main types of roulette are American (with 38 slots, including a 0 and 00) and European (with 37 slots, including only a single 0).
Place Your Bets
To place a bet, you must first exchange cash for the roulette chips. In the real world, you simply walk up to the table and place your cash on the table but clear of any numbers.
The croupier will change your money and give you the corresponding chips. The various coloured chips are based on the value of money you exchange.
At the roulette table, you can place various types of bets. There are two main categories which are inside bets (bets on specific numbers or small groups of numbers) and outside bets (bets on larger groups of numbers, colours, or whether the number will be odd or even).
Examples of inside bets include betting on a single number and betting on two adjacent numbers.
Outside bets include betting on either red or black or betting on a group of 12 numbers.
You can place your chips on the table before or for a short time after the croupier has spun the wheel.
Wait For The Spin
Once all players have placed their bets, the dealer (or croupier) will spin the wheel in one direction and simultaneously roll a small ball in the opposite direction.
As the ball loses momentum, it will eventually land in one of the numbered slots on the wheel.
Determine The Outcome
The winning number is determined by the slot where the ball lands. If the ball lands on a number that corresponds to any of your bets, you win.
The payout depends on the type of bet you made. For example, a straight-up bet typically pays 35 to 1, while an outside bet like red/black pays even money (1 to 1).
Collect Your Winnings Or Place New Bets
After the outcome is determined, the dealer will collect losing bets and distribute payouts to the winners.
You can then choose to collect your winnings or leave them on the table to place new bets for the next round.
Online Roulette Guide
Online roulette is very simple. You simply log on to your chosen bookmaker or casino site, go to the casino section, and click on your preferred roulette game.
A virtual table appears with the minimum and maximum bets indicated on the side of the screen.
From there, you decide whether you want to bet on red or black, a section of numbers, or a specific number.
If you hover your mouse over the numbers, the minimum bet amounts pop up. Click on the item you want to bet on, and that’s it.
You simply spin the wheel, and if you win, you win. If you don’t, then you lose your bet.
What Are Inside Bets In Roulette?
These are all bets relevant to the first area on the betting-board and include:
- Straight Up Bet: a bet on any single number, including zero, placed directly on the number.
- Split Bet: a bet on two adjacent numbers, placed on the line between them. A split bet can also be put on 0, 1 and 2, or 0, 2 and 3.
- Line Bet: a bet on six numbers (2 rows of 3 numbers), placed at the end of two rows on the line between them.
- Corner Bet: a bet on a group of four numbers, placed at the corner where the 4 numbers touch.
- Street Bet: a bet on three numbers in a row, placed on the line at the end of the row.
What Are Outside Bets In Roulette?
These are bets relevant to the second area of the betting board and include:
- Colour Bet: a bet on either all of the red numbers or all of the black numbers. Placing the chip on either the red box or the black box signifies this.
- Column Bet: a bet on an entire column placed on a 2-1 box at the end of a column.
- Dozen Bet: a bet on a group of 12 numbers. The chip is placed on either the 1st box of 12 numbers (1-12), 2nd box of 12 (13-24), or 3rd box of 12 numbers (25-36).
- Low/High Number Bet: a bet on all low numbers or all high numbers. Placed on the low box (1-18) or the high box (19-36).
- Even/Odd Bet: a bet on all even numbers or all odd numbers. Placed on the even box or the odd box.
Variations Of Roulette
There are several different variations of roulette that are commonly played in casinos around the world. Here are the main variations:
American Roulette: This is the most widely recognised variation, played with a wheel that has 38 numbered slots, including a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).
The presence of the double zero increases the house edge compared to other variations.
European Roulette: This variation is similar to American Roulette but has a wheel with 37 numbered slots, including a single zero (0) only.
The absence of the double zero reduces the house edge, making it a more favourable option for players.
French Roulette: Similar to European Roulette, French Roulette also features a wheel with 37 numbered slots. However, it includes some additional rules like La Partage and En Prison.
These rules provide players with the opportunity to recover part or all of their even-money bets when the ball lands on zero.
Mini Roulette: This is a scaled-down version of roulette, typically played online.
It features a smaller wheel with only 13 numbered slots (from 0 to 12). The reduced number of slots affects the odds and payouts.
Multi-Wheel Roulette: In this variation, you can bet on multiple wheels simultaneously. The outcome is determined by the results of multiple wheels spinning at the same time. It adds excitement and complexity to the game.
Multi-Ball Roulette: As the name suggests, multi-ball roulette involves multiple balls being spun on a single wheel in each round. Players can place bets on various outcomes, and the balls landing in the numbered slots determine the results.
Live Dealer Roulette: This is a popular online variation where players can experience the game with a live dealer via a video stream.
It aims to replicate the atmosphere of a land-based casino and provides an interactive and immersive roulette experience.
Each variation offers a unique twist on the classic game, but the basic principles of placing bets and determining the outcome remain the same.
How To Win At Roulette
It’s important to note that roulette is a game of chance, and the outcome is determined by random factors.
However, various strategies have been developed over the years which include:
Martingale Strategy
This strategy involves doubling your bet after each loss, with the goal of recovering previous losses and making a profit.
For example, if you bet £10 on black and lose, you would then bet £20 on the next spin. If you win, you recover your previous loss and gain a small profit.
It’s important to note that the Martingale Strategy requires a substantial bankroll, as a losing streak can quickly result in large bets.
Fibonacci Strategy
This is based on the Fibonacci sequence which is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones.
This strategy involves increasing your bet after a loss according to the Fibonacci sequence (e.g., 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.).
The idea is to recoup losses progressively. However, it’s essential to set limits and be cautious, as a long losing streak can also lead to significant bets.
D’Alembert Strategy
This strategy is a more conservative approach. It involves increasing your bet by one unit after a loss and decreasing it by one unit after a win.
The goal is to achieve a balanced win-loss ratio over time. However, like other strategies, it doesn’t guarantee consistent profits.
While these strategies can be entertaining to explore, it’s important to understand that none of them can guarantee consistent winnings in the long run.
The best approach to playing roulette is to understand the game, set limits, and enjoy the experience responsibly.
Remember that the outcome is random, and no strategy can overcome the inherent house edge.