The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is one of the most popular casino games and is found at land-based casinos as well as online. The game is simple and fun, and the thrill of watching a ball spin around the wheel is what brings many players back to the table again and again. But before you head to the tables, it’s important that you understand how this game works and the different types of bets you can make.
The roulette wheel consists of a fixed bowl with a rotating wheelhead that contains colored numbers and pockets for the ball to land in. There are thirty-six of these compartments, called frets or compartments by croupiers, numbered from 1 to 36 in a nonconsecutive pattern and painted alternately red and black. A separate green division, numbered 0, appears on European wheels; American roulette wheels have two additional green compartments marked 0 and 00.
As the wheel spins, players place their bets by placing chips on a betting mat. There are different bets available depending on your preference, and the type of bet you choose will determine which part of the layout you’re betting on. In general, inside bets offer higher payouts than outside bets.
An inside bet is one placed on a single number or group of numbers. This includes straight-up bets, split bets and a column bet. These bets have a low house edge and are generally the best bets to place at the roulette table.
Outside bets are those made on the outside of the roulette board. They have a lower payout than inside bets, but they also have a higher chance of winning. Outside bets are the best bet for new players because they’re safer than inside bets and have a better chance of hitting.
The high or low bet, known as passe et manque in French, is another even-money bet that pays out 1-1. You’re wagering that the winning number will be in either the first or last 18 of the layout, or that it will be odd or even. If the ball lands on a 0 or a 00, however, you’ll lose your bet.
