Roulette is one of the world’s most popular casino games, both online and at land-based casinos. It’s also one of the oldest games, dating back to the 1700s in Paris. It has several different variations, each with subtle differences in game rules and payout odds.
Roulette consists of a spinning wheel with divisions that rotate around the edge of the disk. There are thirty-six compartments (also called frets by roulette croupiers) on the wheel, painted alternately red and black, and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. On European-style wheels a 37th compartment, painted green, carries the number 0. There are also two extra green compartments on American-style wheels, marked 0 and 00.
Players place bets on a grouping of pockets on the roulette table, called inside and outside bets. The bets pay out at different odds depending on the probability of hitting them. Inside bets include Straight – bet on a single number, Split – bet on two adjacent numbers, and Corner – bet on four adjacent numbers. Outside bets include Dozens – bet on a grouping of three consecutive numbers, and Line – bet on a row of numbers.
The house edge is determined by the presence of the 0 and 00 on the American-style roulette wheel. The house edge for European roulette is lower, as only the numbers 1 through 36 appear on the wheel, plus the zero. The symmetry of the European roulette wheel allows players to make a dozen bet, which pays out even money if the ball lands in either the first or last 12 numbers.
Before playing roulette, establish a budget for the session. This should be a percentage of the total bankroll you plan to spend. Once you’ve established a budget, stick to it. If you’re losing, stop betting immediately. If you win, do not dip into your winnings for future bets.
It is easy to find a roulette strategy that promises a high return on investment, but many of them are not as successful as advertised. Some of them are complex and require time to learn, while others promise a quick profit with little risk. Regardless of the system you choose, it is important to realize that roulette is a game of chance and that there are no systems that can improve your odds of winning.
If you have a small budget to work with, you can increase your chances of winning at roulette by choosing the right table for you. Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bet amounts allowed. Look for a table that is within your budget and has the best payout odds for the type of bet you want to make. Avoid making bets that are higher than your budget can afford, or you will be tempted to increase your bet size as the session progresses. In addition, if you’re playing live dealer roulette, select the European version instead of the American game, as it has a lower house edge.