Roulette is a classic casino game that’s been around for decades. If you want to know more about it, this article will tell you everything you need to know.
Choosing Better Odds
When you play a certain game, you want to give yourself every possible advantage. One way to do that is to understand how the game works. If you know what bets are available and how odds work, then you can make better decisions about how to play. Below is an explanation of roulette odds.
Roulette Types Odds
Roulette is one of those casino games with a relatively low house edge. The house edge is defined as the statistical advantage that the casino has over the players. Every casino game is set up in such a way that players get 97.3% of their bets back, while the casino keeps 2.7% as profit. This is meant to represent the long-term gain that the casino has while in the short term anything is possible: some players can walk away with huge winnings!
In European and French Roulette there are 37 pockets on the wheel. The probability of predicting a winning one is 1 in 37, so it stands to reason that your chance of losing is 36 to 1. The payout on a Straight Up bet should be 35:1, but casinos offer only 34:1; this difference constitutes a 2.7% house edge.
American Roulette has an extra pocket for the double zero, which increases the house edge to 5.26%. The true odds are 37 to 1, but the payout is still 35:1.
The Five Number Bet is a special bet available on American Roulette. It pays at 6:1 and raises the house advantage to 7.89%.
When playing French Roulette, you get to retain half of your original bet if you choose the ‘la partage’ or ‘en prison’ rules. This halves the house edge from 2.70% to 1.35%, making it the most favourable of all roulette versions for players.
Bet Types Odds
There are two kinds of bets you can place at a roulette table, Inside Bets and Outside Bets. Inside Bets are placed on numbers within the number grid. You can place one or more numbers at once. Here are all of the Inside Bets:
Straight Up Bet–This is a one-number bet. You can bet on any of the 36 numbers, the zero or the double zero, if there is one present in the game. The payout for Straight Up Bet is 35:1.
Split Betting–the act of placing two chips on the line between two numbers–is a popular bet among many players. The payout ratio is 17:1.
Street Bet–place your chips on the outside border of a row of three numbers. If any of those three numbers wins, you win 11:1.
You can make a Corner Bet by placing your chips on the spot where four numbers meet. If the ball lands on any of these numbers, you will receive an 8:1 payout.
The Five Number Bet is the most popular Roulette bet in America, since it only exists in American Roulette, where the double zero pocket is present. However, this bet has a 7.9% house edge and should be avoided by all but the most reckless of gamblers.
A Line Bet is a bet on two rows, rather than one. Placing your chips on the outside border where the two rows meet pays 5:1.
Outside bets are other types of bets that aren’t found in the numbers grid.
Dozens Bet: The numbers grid is 36, with the exception of any zeroes. Typically, you can place a bet on which group the winning number will belong: 1st Dozen includes numbers 1-12; 2nd Dozen numbers 13-24; 3rd Dozen numbers 25-36. If however, you win, you will receive a payout of 2:1.
The Columns Bet is similar to the Dozens Bet. You can wager on a column of 12 numbers, and the payout rate is 2:1. Unlike the Dozens Bet, the Columns Bet does not include zeroes.
Roulette has two different colours on its wheel–red and black. You can bet on what colour you think will come up when the ball lands in one of the numbered pockets. The number zero is normally coloured green, and if the ball lands in one of those pockets, you lose.
You can bet on the fact that a lottery number will be odd or even. There are 18 odd numbers and 18 even numbers. If the ball lands on a zero, you lose this bet. If you win, however, you get paid even money.
You can bet that the winning number will be either in the 1-18 range or the 19-36 range. This bet pays even money and zeroes are excluded.
Call Bets
A call bet is available at some casinos, but usually only at establishments that cater to high rollers. A call bet allows a player to place a bet without putting money down immediately. The casino extends credit to the player until it is time for him or her to pay up. This practice is not available in every country; in some places such as the UK, it is illegal to extend credit directly on the spot.
When a player makes an announced bet, they immediately place the chips needed to cover the cost of the bet.
There are several groups of numbers on the roulette wheel, each with its own name. The bettor may place a separate bet on each group of numbers. The placement of these numbers on the wheel determines which group they belong to.
A “Voisin de zero” bet covers numbers between 22 and 25, including 22, 23, 24 and 25. You must place at least nine chips or multiples of nine on this bet. You can place one chip on 0-2-3; one on the 4-7 split; one on 12-15; one on 18-21; one on 19-22; two on the corner covering 25-26-28-29; as well as one on 32-35.
The Jue zero bet covers the five numbers closest to zero, which makes it an inexpensive bet. One chip is placed on the 0-3 split; one on 32-35; and one on 12-15, as well as a Straight Up bet on 26.
The tiers de cylindre is a bet that covers 12 numbers on the roulette wheel, from 27 to 33. The sequence is as follows: 27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33. It takes six chips to place this bet.
The Orphelins bet covers eight numbers on two opposite sides of the wheel. To play, you must place a Straight Up bet on one number and four Split bets on the other seven numbers.
Neighbors is a betting game where you wager on numbers that are adjacent to yours. For instance, if you bet on 4 and the neighbors, you’d wager on 15-19-4-21-2. You can bet any number of chips or multiply them together (for example: five times five chips).
A final bet is a wager on specific numbers ending in X. For example, a Final 5s bet includes numbers 5, 15, 25, and 35. A final 0 through 6 costs 4 chips and a final 7 through 9 costs 3 chips.
Please note that call bets are considered a courtesy, and the dealer will only accept them if they have time to do so. If you place a call bet and the dealer does not announce it, it means that they do not have time to place the bet. Arguing with the dealer about your bet not being accepted can be considered a serious breach of etiquette.
Live Dealer Roulette Gameplay
Choosing a Roulette Casino
When looking for a casino to play roulette, you should consider several things. First, familiarize yourself with the available establishments and see what they’re offering. Look for European or French roulette tables–these offer better odds than American roulette. The French version has rules that are beneficial to players and has a house edge of just 1.35%. You should also ask about betting limits; some casinos have tables with limits that might not fit within your budget.
Improving your Chances to win
To improve your chances of winning at roulette, play at a table with a French wheel. The French wheel has almost half the house edge of an American wheel, but it will still give you the same payout odds. To avoid further unfavorable changes to your chances, you should play European roulette rather than French roulette. Between these two versions of the game, European roulette has the lower house edge because it often comes with a rule called ‘en prison’ or ‘la partage’ that helps even out payouts by allowing players to take back bets made on zero if they lose them during a spin.
It is also a good idea to keep your bets as close to the table minimum as possible. This way you can play for longer than if you bet higher amounts, and not lose everything if things do not go as planned.
In roulette, there are many different types of bets that you can place on the table. The most common type of bet is the Straight Up bet, which offers a relatively low chance of winning (only 2.7%). However, if you want to increase your chances of winning, then we recommend placing several outside bets at once. By placing one bet on Red and one of the Third Dozen, you are much more likely to win than if you just wager on a single number. Outside bets give you the chance to win a decent amount in the short term, due to their relatively high win probability.”
Inside vs Outside Bets
As you probably know, outside bets have higher probabilities of winning and lower payouts than inside bets.
Betting on multiple Numbers
To increase the odds of winning, some players place simultaneous bets on multiple numbers. Here are some things to keep in mind when placing such wagers.
If you prefer a more stable style of play, then even money wagers are probably more to your liking. If instead, you gamble for the thrill and excitement then Inside bets may be the right type for you.
Betting on multiple numbers is more expensive than placing a bet on a single number. If you can place all of your bets at once with a single chip, it’s much more cost-effective than placing individual bets for each one.
Managing your Bankroll
Playing roulette at a land-based casino can be an exciting way to spend your money, but it’s important to keep track of how much you’re betting.
En Prison and El Partage
The two French Roulette rules are known as “En Prison” and “Tirer au Sort.” They allow players who have lost an Outside bet to reclaim some or all of their money when the ball lands in the zero pocket.
Since the house always wins in the long run, you should never bet more than you are willing to lose. If you do, you increase your chances of going broke. Also, if you lose everything at a table game and decide to bet more money with the intention of winning everything back–don’t. This is a slippery slope that many gamblers have fallen down in the past and it rarely brings the desired results.
The en prison rule is used when an Outside bet has been made, but the ball lands on zero. The bet is not lost, rather it stays on the table for the next spin. If the ball lands on zero again, then the bet is lost.
The el partage rule allows players to keep half of a losing bet when the ball lands on zero. The rule reduces the house edge, making even-money bets such as red/black or odd/even attractive propositions.
Basic Rules
Roulette is a game where you bet on where the ball will land on the wheel. The wheel has 37 or 38 pockets, each one representing a number. You place your bets and when the dealer spins the ball, it usually lands on one of those numbers. Once you have placed your bets, you cannot change or remove them. Roulette is usually played by up to 8 people who play against the house.
Roulette History
Roulette has been around for more than two centuries. The game was invented in France by Blaise Pascal, who wanted to make a perpetual motion machine. He didn’t succeed, but he did help create one of the world’s most popular casino games. Roulette as we know it today appeared in casinos around Europe in the late 18th century, and then spread to the United States. Since then, versions with single zeros and versions with double zeros have competed for popularity around the world.
Roulette FAQ
If you’re new to roulette, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the game.
How are each player’s chips identified and distinguished from those of other players?
Each player is given chips of a different colour. The dealers know exactly who placed which bets because of this system. You can only use these roulette chips at this table and when you leave, your standard casino chips will be exchanged for roulette ones.
If the ball has not landed on a certain number for a while, is it overdue?
Think of each spin on roulette as a new event, independent of the previous ones. The probability that the ball will land in that pocket does not guarantee it.
Can the dealer land the ball in a certain pocket?
It’s possible, but only if the ball is spinning in exactly the right way. The wheel is spinning too, so it’s basically a miracle if you get it in the pocket.
Do I have a 1-in-2 chance of winning an even money bet?
Even money bets have a 1:1 payout ratio, but your chance of winning is not 50-50. The European and French versions of roulette feature a single zero pocket, while the American version has two. So on European or French roulette you have an 18 in 37 chance to win an even money bet; on American roulette it’s 18 in 38. This difference between probability and payout is what is referred to as the house edge.
Roulette Glossary
If you have ever been to a casino, you might have heard some unfamiliar words used by people playing roulette. Roulette has its own subculture with a vocabulary all its own. Here are some of the more common terms used by roulette players.
Action
The total amount of money wagered over a certain period of time, usually by betting on the outcome of sporting events.
Biased Numbers
Numbers that come up more frequently due to an intentionally biased wheel.
Biased Wheel
A wheel that has been used and worn down over time.
Black Action
Place a black chip worth $100 on the gambling table.
Cage
The cashier’s desk is where you exchange chips for cash.
Carre’
French word for Corner bet.
Cheval
French word for a Split bet.
Choppy Game
A game where players and the casino alike are losing.
Cold Table
A table where nobody is winning a lot of money.
Croupier
French word for dealer.
Even Money
Any bet that returns your stake, plus the same amount of money.
Flat Betting
Betting the same amount each time.
Floorman
A pit boss is a casino employee who oversees all the gaming tables in a particular area.
Gaffed Wheel
A rigged wheel.
House Edge
The casino has an edge over the players in the long term.
High Bet
A bet on numbers between 19 and 36 (or in other words, between 1 and 36).
Pit
The area where the table games are located is a great place to spend some time and have fun.
Quarters
Chips valued at $25.
Sacred Money
If you bet money that is not yours, you are gambling with sacred money.
Section Shooter
A player who tries to pocket the cue ball in a specific area of the table.
Stack
20 roulette chips.
Surrender
In American Roulette, if the ball lands on a zero, players can keep half of their wager on an Outside bet. In French Roulette, the la partage rule applies.
True Odds
The odds of a bet.
Wheel Chips
A roulette chip is a small disc used to bet at a roulette table.
Ask a Question. Get an Answer.
Is there a proven strategy for winning money on roulette every time?
When playing real-money roulette, you can use strategies to increase your chances of winning. However, with each result dependent on chance, it is impossible to predict the outcome of every spin. Therefore, we cannot recommend any particular strategy if you only want to win while playing roulette.
When is it time to quit a game of roulette when playing for real money?
There is no universal rule about the size of your bankroll that will indicate when you should quit a roulette session. However, there are some factors you should consider when deciding whether or not to leave the table. If you have set up a goal for your wins, once you have reached that amount, even if you are on a winning streak, you should quit the game. Getting multiple consecutive wins may be tempting but you can easily turn your lucky streak into a series of losing rounds if you do not quit at the right time.
If you find yourself in a long losing streak, do not continue to play. The same goes for when you reach your budget cap–it is important not to fall into the trap of chasing losses and betting more than you can afford.