Roulette is a popular casino game that adds glamour, mystery and excitement to the gambling experience. The game is easy enough for beginners to learn and has a surprising level of depth for serious players. However, there are a few important things that all players should know about this classic casino game before they start betting their money on red.
The Rules of Roullete
Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed for that particular table. Choose a table within your budget and bet only the amount you can afford to lose. Whenever you win, do not dip into your winnings for future bets; cash out your chips as quickly as possible.
When betting, start with the outside bets (on the number rows, high-low, odd-even and red-black). These bets offer better odds of winning. Avoid the inside bets on single numbers; these bets are expensive and offer the worst odds of all. Also avoid attempting to develop complicated strategies; roulette is a game of chance and any strategy will only improve your chances by luck.
Before a spin, place your bets on the roulette board, or layout, by putting your chips in the desired position on the betting table map. Each number on the roulette layout has a specific cost and payout. For example, a bet on the number zero costs 17 chips and pays 235 chips. Bets on the other numbers on the roulette board vary in price and payout based on the number of chips required to complete the bet.
The croupier then spins the wheel, and a ball is rolled into it. When the ball lands on a number, all bets that matched that number, section or color are paid out according to their betting odds. The losing bets are cleared off the table, and new bets are placed before the croupier spins the wheel again.
While there are a few different theories as to how the game of roulette came into existence, most agree that it was developed from an earlier Italian casino game, Biribi. It has been played in casinos worldwide since the 17th century and continues to attract a wide audience, both novices and seasoned gamblers alike.