The Basics of Roulette

Roulette is one of the most famous casino games and has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement to players since the 17th century. Based solely on luck, it’s played at land-based and online casinos around the world. Despite its simplicity, the game has a surprising amount of depth for those who want to take a more strategic approach.

The wheel consists of a wooden disk that is slightly convex in shape with metal compartments, called canoes by the croupiers, arranged nonconsecutively on its circumference. Thirty-six of these pockets are painted red and black, while a single green pocket carries the number 0. Two extra green compartments on American roulette wheels carry the numbers 00.

A croupier spins the roulette wheel in a circular motion and when it stops, the ball will land in a pocket corresponding to the bets made by players. The player who correctly guesses the correct number, section, or color is awarded according to the odds of each type of bet. The house edge of a bet on a specific number can range from 2.63 percent to 7.89 percent depending on the betting scheme and type of wheel.

Prior to spinning the wheel, players place bets by placing chips on the roulette table map. Bets on individual digits, groups of numbers, or colors are known as “inside bets.” Players also have the option to make multiple bets, known as “street” bets (rows of three) and “corner” bets. Each bet type has different payouts ranging from 1 to 35 times the original bet stake. The highest win to stake ratio is on a straight bet on an individual number.