Roulette is the casino game of chance that has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Its popularity is due to its relatively simple rules, but it also offers a surprising level of depth for serious betters. With the right strategy, you can earn a substantial return on your wagers.
Before the dealer spins the wheel, players place their chips on the table map, which indicates their desired bets. Typically, the higher the bet amount, the larger the payout. Players can place bets on single numbers, groups of numbers (known as street bets), red or black, or odd or even. Beginners should start by placing their chips on “outside bets” which pay out more often and have a lower risk of losing money.
The wheel itself is a rotating disc with numbered compartments around the perimeter, painted alternately red and black and arranged in nonconsecutive order. On European wheels, a 37th compartment is painted green and carries the number 0. On American tables there are two extra green sections that carry the numbers 0 and 00, making American roulette a less lucrative proposition than its European counterpart.
Once all bets have been placed, the croupier throws the ball into the wheel and players watch as it bounces around until it comes to rest in one of the pockets marked with a number. The croupier then pays the winners and clears off the table before the next round begins.
It’s important to know when you have a winning bet and cash out your chips as soon as possible. This will prevent you from using up your winnings on future bets, and it will keep your odds of winning high. Each roulette table has a placard listing the minimum and maximum betting amounts, so make sure you choose a table within your budget.