Roulette

This piece of article is solely dedicated to beginners and of course, the pros if they’ve forgotten some Roulette tips and tricks. We’ll be discussing some pointers, how to play, and tips and tricks on Roulette. So, feast your cards and eyes on this exclusive guide to Roulette. And, before you set out to get your hands dirty on deck, you’ve got to know the lay of the land, so to speak, on how the game is really played. More specifically the basic roulette rules, the objective of the gameplay, and a few protocols to follow pursuit like any other game when you’re on deck.

A little history, Roulette is all about odds, simple physics, and statistics, if so to speak. The word “roulette” means “the little wheel,” and therefore it shouldn’t surprise you that the spinning roulette wheel was invented by a well-known gambler and math savant. For the next couple of hundred years or so, the early Roulette wheel remained untouched until Francois and Louis Blanc came upon it. And underwhelming appreciation to their addition of the number zero space on the wheel, the house edge was immediately increased and turned Roulette into a huge money winner for casinos from then on.

What sets Roulette apart from all other casino games — colours, numbers, and a peck of impossibilities. We think it’s just easier to go press buttons and watch reels spin on slot machines instead. We think not, Roulette table is as fancy it can get and it’s as easy it may seem confusing at first. It’s a wonderful simple casino game, and easy to play once you get the hang of it, the key is to learn how to bet properly.

The Rules — On a journey to expertise

Officially, there are three variations of Roulette that exist, American, European and French Roulette. Players may bet on a single or a range of numbers, colours red or black, odd or even, or high (19–36) or low (1–18) numbers.

• The winning number is thus determined when the ball drops into one of 36 coloured and numbered pockets on the wheel or a zero pocket (American roulette utilises a double zero).

Despite the appearances, the rules of Roulette are actually quite simple. 

Standard Roulette: This consists of a spinning wheel, a betting table, a ceramic ball spun by a croupier, and a series of wager options available to each player.

• Before each round, simply place your wager in chips on the Roulette table, and watch the croupier spin the wheel with the Roulette ball in motion in the opposite direction.
• Eventually, the ball will slow down and land in a numbered pocket. If the wager you made matches the ball’s final destination, congratulations you are a winner! If not, spin again and see what the tides of fortune have in store for you

The rules state that players are supposed to place their bets before the ball starts dropping, but it is possible to wager when the wheel is in motion. 

• The dealer is the one who calls the end of the betting phase, and once the ball stops in its final resting place, the winners are paid and a new round begins. It is the dealer’s duty to clear off all losing bets and lift the marker off the winning number.

Fact Check: In the original French roulette, the numbers 1 – 36, had the zero and the “double zero”. The zero was coloured red and also counted as “Pair” and “Manque”; the double zero was black and also counted as “Impair” and “Passe.”

• If the ball fell into one of the two zero divisions, all lost stakes are taken by the bank but if the bet was matched by virtue of being Pair, Impair, Rouge, Noir, Passe or Manque, instead of being won, the stake was imprisoned until the next spin of the wheel. 
• On that subsequent turn, the stake was either lost or if the ball matched the bet again, the stake was merely returned to the gambler without any profit.

European Roulette Rules-

En Prison Rule: This is a roulette rule that can be applied to even-money bets only. When a zero turns up, the player has two options —

• Reclaim half the bet and lose the other half.

• Leave the bet (en prison = in prison) for the next spin of the roulette wheel for an all or nothing gamble. If the subsequent spin is again zero or does not match the imprisoned bet, then the whole bet is lost. Otherwise, if the subsequent spin’s outcome matches the bet, the player’s money is returned.

La Partage Rule: The La Partage roulette rule is similar to the en prison rule, only in this case the player has no option when a zero turns up and simply loses half the bet.

How to play Roulette — How to Bet

Once the rules are cleared off the air, it’s time for you to take charge of the deck. Players try to understand the gameplay and don’t rush in for the win — observe a pro, lose a few matches, and get on with it.

As you’ve seen, the rules of Roulette are really quite simple. Now that you’re caught up with the history and basics of the game, let’s go over betting —

• Real Money Roulette tables have their own chips, and players are designated different coloured chips so the croupier will know who to pay and who to take.
• Each table also will have a minimum bet posted.

Pointer: The two key areas for Roulette betting is inside and outside —

• The minimum bet for the table is generally the same for both inside and outside of the table with one difference. Inside bets allow you to spread out the minimum bet over a range of numbers; whereas outside betting requires that a bet be made to equal the minimum. 
• So if the minimum bet is $5, an inside bet must be made that adds up to $5, i.e. multiple chips can be placed on the table covering a set of numbers that add up to the minimum. Each outside bet must equal $5.

Here’s a complete list of varieties of ways you can bet inside at the Roulette table —

• Single Number: If you choose to bet on a single number, chip(s) must be placed on any number inside the table. This is a straight bet and pays out 35:1. It’s the riskiest type of bet, but also the most rewarding.
• Two Numbers: If you choose to bet on two numbers at once, chip(s) must be placed on the line that separates two numbers. This is a split bet, and it pays out 17:1.
• Three Numbers: If you choose to bet on three numbers at the same time, chip(s) must be placed on the line that separates the inside and outside of the table. This is a street bet and pays out 11:1.
• Double Street Bet: A double street bet is made by placing a chip on the line between two rows of numbers between the inside and outside of the table. This has 5:1 odds.
• Four Numbers: If you choose to bet on four numbers, chip(s) must be placed on the line intersecting four numbers. This is a corner or square bet, pays out 8:1.
• Five Numbers: American roulette also utilises a five number bet, placed on the line beside the zero, double zero and numbers 1-3. This pays out 6:1.

It’s worth noting that while inside bets have a higher house edge, the payouts are much greater, so it’s up to you to weigh the risk to reward ratio.

Outside bets are the most popular bets to make for Roulette due to the lower house edge. This makes them ideal for beginners, as they are less risky. Here’s a complete list of varieties of ways you can bet outside at the Roulette table —

• The Colour: The most famous bet at the Roulette table is red or black, meaning whether the winning number will land on a red or black number. This bet pays out 1:1.
• Odd or Even: You can choose to bet odd or even, meaning whether the winning number will land on an odd or even number. This also pays out even money at 1:1.
• Field Bets: These bets are made in the sections marked “1-18” or “19-36” and mean that the winning number will land within a range of these high or low numbers. The payout for either is 1:1.
• Dozen Bet: You can choose to make a dozen bets, which means betting on 12 numbers at once that range from the first, second or third set of 12 numbers out of the total 36 numbers on the wheel.
• Column Bets: These bets are made in the sections marked at the end of the three number columns. Both of these bet payout 2:1.

Outside bets come at a lower risk and are safer bets to make in the long term in terms of your investment, but payout lower.

Tips and Ticks — Beat the House like a pro

But first, the players need to understand the concept of variations in Blackjack. Not all blackjack games are strategized to be equal. Some variations in the rules are good for the player, and some are bad.

Eye the Edge: Due to the addition of an extra zero in American Roulette, the house edge is increased to an unfavourable 5.26% compared to its European counterpart. European Roulette has halved house edge due to its use of a single zero, making it 2.7%. If you’re a fan of American Roulette, by all means take a spin; but it’s good especially as a beginner to keep in mind that the house has a greater advantage of taking your money.

Money Management: Speaking of money, it’s important to note that money management in Roulette is crucial. Though the rewards of landing a 35:1 odd straight bet might seem enticing, the odds are heavily against you. Just keep in mind that before you wager, set yourself a loss limit. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of gambling especially with a group of people cheering the ball on, but a loss is a loss, and money should be managed in moderation. Whichever way the wheels of fortune spin, it’s great if you win big, but you’ll also feel better about yourself if you come away from the table with your bankroll intact.

Don’t lose Control: While the game of Roulette offers tons of excitement, with your adrenaline pumping be sure not to get caught up in the moment and always keep your emotions in check. After all, the spin of the wheel will determine the outcome, and not perceived hot or cold streaks. Every time the ball lands is a singular event, so just because the outcome has been a red number three times in a row, this does not mean that the ball will be more likely to land on a black number on the next spin. You can have a lot of fun playing Roulette, but the more you can keep a calm head on your shoulders, the more wisely you will bet and can end up winning big!

Looking for online casinos that provide Roulette? Here’s a list below, and also make sure to check our reviews on online betting —

• Betway
• 22bet
• 888Casino
• LeoVegas
• Bodog
• Royal Panda

Now that rules and tricks are out of the way, how about you get your hands on the deck and show the house who’s the boss! Check for more articles on etiquette and strategy of Roulette to have an upper hand before you lay the land, if so to speak!

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