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Roulette Basics
I don't know about you, but when I think of Roulette, I think of a dashing gentleman in a tux pushing mounds of money around. It's a game of math and intrigue. Roulette has a few different versions. The two most common wheels around the world are the American and European. Each version features a different wheel.
Free Casino Money to Play Roulette
The American version of Roulette features the numbers 1-36, plus 0 and 00. The European wheel is similar except it doesn't have a 00 spot. The lack of this spot reduces the house advantage. But, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let's start with game basics and go from there.
Roulette and Dreams
I think you'll find the basic game of Roulette is an easy one to learn. The complexity comes when you dive into strategy. I've often wondered if the addition of that pesky 00 spot has hampered Roulette's success in America some. It's still popular, but less so than it is in Europe.
The game plan is simple. First, players throw down their bets on the Roulette layout—many new players simply pick their favorite numbers. Next, the dealer takes the ball and spins it around the wheel. The wheel and the ball are traveling in opposite directions. Once the ball loses enough speed, it drops off the rim of the wheel and begins bouncing around. Eventually, the ball settles in a number slot and the dealer removes all losing wagers. Finally, winning wagers are paid and a new round begins.
I'm sure it sounds simple up to this point, but did I mention that you don't have to bet on a number? In fact, one bet can be for multiple numbers. Confused a little? Good, because we're going cover all the fun bets in Roulette now. In minutes, you'll be a pro.
Roulette Bet Types
The first wager we'll talk about is the straight bet. You can place a wager on any number by putting your chip(s) on it. If you are playing the American version of Roulette, you'll have a 2.63% probability of hitting your number. Should your number hit, you'll be paid 35-1. So, a $1 wager will be paid $35.
It's important to note that although there are 38 spots on the wheel, you're only paid 35-1. The house maintains a healthy 5.26% advantage. You didn't think the casino would allow you play a game that's in your favor did you?
Next up are column wagers. The numbers on the Roulette layout are divided into three horizontal columns. You can place a wager on any of these columns, and you have a 31.5% probability of winning. The wager pays 3x, so a $1 wager pays $3. You'll find the betting location of columns on the right side of the Roulette layout.
Another type of wager that's similar to columns is dozens. The numbers on the Roulette wheel (1-36) are split into groups of 12 (1-12, 13-24, 25-36). Again, you have a 31.5% probability to win your wager and it's paid 3x. You'll find the wager spot for each dozen just under the numbers on the layout.
If you like betting on groups of numbers, try the Low or High. When you bet on the Low, you win if the winning number is 1-18 and the bet pays even money--$5 wins $5. The High bet wins if the winning number is 19-36.
Do you hate numbers? Try betting colors. All thirty-six numbers are either red or black. You can bet Red or Black and if you win, the wager pays even money. If a 0 or 00 comes up, which are green, both Red and Black lose.
For the math person, you can also bet Odd or Even. This wager pays even money and it's self-explanatory—I hope. Again, 0 and 00 cause both bets to lose.
Can't decide on two numbers that are by each other? Perhaps, the split bet is just for you. You can bet on two adjoining numbers by placing your wager on the line that connects them. Your wager has a 5.26% probability of winning and you'll be paid 17x, so $1 wins $17.
There's another kind of connecting wager and it's called the corner bet. To place this wager, find a spot on the layout where four numbers connect. By putting your wager in this spot, you'll win if any of the four numbers come up. You'll have a 11.1% probability of winning and your winning wager will be paid 8x, so $1 pays $8.
The numbers on the Roulette layout are organized in vertical rows of three numbers each. By placing your wager on the bottom of a row, you'll be betting on all three numbers in that row. This is called a street bet. Your wager will have a 7.89% probability of winning and your winning wager will be paid 11x, so $1 pays $11.
A line bet is the combination of two street bets. Simply place your wager on the bottom of the numbers layout where two streets meet. You'll have all six numbers in both rows. Your wager will have a 15.78% probability to win, and it will be paid 5x, so $1 wins $5.
Finally, there's the five-number bet. This can be done in only one place—where the 0/00 meets the 2 on the Roulette layout. When you make a five-number bet, you'll win if the winning number is a 0, 00, 1, 2 or 3. The wager pays 6x and has a 13.1% probability of winning. However, this is a bad wager to make. The house edge rises to 7.89% when you make this bet.
Online Roulette
When you play Roulette online, it's a little different from the real world. Online Roulette uses a RNG, which stands for Random Number Generator, to decide what number comes out. In the real world, a game's randomness is determined by the wheel, spin rate, dealer and so forth. In fact, it's been proven that some wheels can favor certain spots.
Unlike the real world, when you play online, you are not limited to whatever game(s) the casino is operating. When playing online, you can shop around for the game you want. Many online casinos will offer both American and European Roulette and they'll offer all sorts of table limits.
If you decide to play at an online casino that offers European Roulette, check it out. Since the European wheel is lacking the 00, the house advantage is only 2.70%, which is a big difference from the American counterpart.
Roulette Systems
There's no short supply of betting ideas and systems for Roulette. The mathematics of the game has caused creative people to come up with all sorts of formulas. Although it's random, people continue to make systems to predict the next number. Many systems don't worry about what exact number is next. Instead, they play streaks—with or against.
Perhaps the most common type of system used in Roulette today is the progression system. Progression systems, Martingale is a famous one, involve increasing your bet until you win. This is usually a dangerous proposition and is always a bad value. Still, many take to the Roulette tables daily to try to break this game.
A common progression would be: 1-2-4-8-16-32-64-128
As you can see, the goal is to always win your money back plus one unit. However, you can see the poor value in this system. What if you lose seven in a row? Your next bet, even at $1 units, is to bet $128 to win $1.
Other systems involve playing sections of the wheel. And there are others that cover all sorts of formulas. Some of these formulas can win in the short-term, but they always fall over the long haul.
Spin Time
You're now educated in the art of Roulette playing. Your next step is to find a good Roulette table and stake your claim to fun and fortune. Roulette is a game of ups and downs. Just remember one thing: streaks can go on for a very long time. Don't get caught up in betting against a streak—like betting black, because 7 reds in a row have come up—just because you think your side is due.
Roulette can be a relaxing game if you are playing in the real world and there's a full table. If it's just you and the dealer, the game will move fast as the casino likes to get as many spins in as possible. If you play online, you can go at your own pace. Just remember, if you are playing in the real world, there's a set time limit for placing wagers. Even with a full table, the dealer will cut off all bets and spin. Again, the casino doesn't want to sit around all day waiting on players. They make their money by the spin not the minute.
Have fun playing this great game and good luck!