Roullete is a casino game whose basic rules are easy enough for a novice to learn, but whose depth offers surprising rewards for serious bettors. While casinos view any attempt to cheat the odds as unwelcome, some players are willing to try anything they can to improve their chances of winning.
Roulette, which is played with a small ball on a spinning wheel, has fascinated gamblers for more than 300 years. Although it was not a major casino game in America until the recent proliferation of low-budget games such as video poker, blackjack and craps, it is a mainstay of Monte Carlo and other European resorts. Its origins are obscure, but it was derived from the older games hoca and portique.
Prior to the spin of the wheel, players place their chips on a betting mat. They do not bet on specific numbers, but on groups of them – either six or more, referred to as inside bets, or one dozen or more, referred to as outside bets. Those bets are positioned on the table according to a chart that is printed on the betting mat.
When the wheel is spun and a bet is made, the dealer places a marker on the winning number or winning chip. Losing bets are cleared off the table and winners get paid, and the process begins again.
The most important thing to remember when playing Roulette is to play within your budget. Each roulette table carries a placard listing the minimum and maximum bets, so set a limit before you begin playing. Also, avoid dipping into your winnings to make additional bets, which increases the amount of money you’re exposed to the house edge.