The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is a game of chance that has offered glamour and mystery to casino-goers since the 17th century. It’s easy to understand, but there is a level of depth for serious betters and the right strategy can reap high rewards.
Before the ball is spun players make a series of wagers by placing chips on a betting mat or board, with the precise placement of the chips indicating the bet they’re making. When the wheel and table are cleared of losing bets, winning bets are then paid out and the new bets placed. Roulette is played with special casino chips that have a different value from regular ones. The chips are designed to help differentiate between bettors, and even spouses are recommended to separate for most games.
The Roulette Wheel
The roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk, slightly convex in shape, with a smooth surface. Around its rim are 37 metal compartments, called separators or frets by croupiers, painted alternately red and black. Thirty-six of the compartments, including the zero, carry the numbers 1 through 36; the single-zero is red and the double-zero is black. The two green compartments on the American-style wheel are labelled 0 and 00 respectively.
There are a number of different types of bets that can be made, and they each have their own odds of winning and payouts. These bets are categorized as inside bets, outside bets and announced bets. The higher the number of digits on a bet, the more likely it is to win.
Announced bets are a specific type of roulette bet that is often seen in live casinos, and sometimes online. They are based on groups of numbers rather than individual digits and can be cheaper to place with higher likelihood of winning.
If a player wins a bet on an announced bet, they must call over the dealer to confirm their winnings. They must then return their roulette chips to the dealer, who will give them normal casino chips in exchange. The player’s wagered chips, however, are still their property and can be used to make another bet on the next spin of the wheel.