Roullete is a game of chance in which a player places bets on what number the ball will land on when it spins around the roulette wheel. It is a popular casino game with a surprising level of depth for serious betters. The rules are simple enough for a beginner to grasp but the odds of winning can be quite challenging to overcome. The game has been in use since the 17th century and its popularity has never waned.
During a roulette round, players place chips on the betting mat, the precise location of the chips indicating the type of bet being made. Bets on six numbers or less are termed “Inside bets” while those on 12 numbers or more are referred to as “Outside bets”. Then, the croupier spins the roulette wheel and rolls the ball onto it. The ball then comes to rest in one of the thirty-six compartments on the wheel. On a European-style roulette wheel, the compartments are painted alternately red and black while on an American roulette wheel there is an additional green compartment marked 0.
After the ball has settled, the croupier removes all losing bets from the table, pays out winning bets and begins another round of betting and spinning the wheel. The player’s bets that win are paid out according to the payout table. For example, a straight-up bet on number 1 costs 35 chips and pays 392 chips. The remaining chips on the table are up for grabs to be placed on a new bet, or they can be withdrawn by the player.
Before you begin playing, establish the size of your betting unit based on your available bankroll. It is a good idea to make your bets as evenly as possible so that you have the best chance of winning. The house edge is marginally higher on inside bets than outside bets. However, if you have a lucky streak, you can come out ahead.
Each roulette table carries a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets. Generally speaking, the minimum bet is higher on inside bets because the payoffs are greater. If you can, choose a European-style table as it will offer a lower house edge.