Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. It’s also a game with surprising depth and the right strategy can reap high rewards. However, it’s important to learn the rules of a specific roulette variant to maximize your chances of winning.
A roulette wheel consists of a circle with divisions numbered 1 to 36 alternately colored red and black and with a single green division labelled 0. A ball is spun around the outside of the bowl until it comes to rest in one of the divisions. If a player bets on a single number and that number wins, the payout is equal to the amount of chips wagered.
Players make their bets by laying down chips on a betting mat prior to the spinning of the wheel. Different types of bets offer different odds and payouts for winning. Bets on individual numbers are known as inside bets, while those placed on various groupings of pockets based on their position are considered outside bets.
Depending on the specific roulette variant being played, the betting mats and layout may differ. For example, some online European roulette games have a special racetrack betting area while others use a standard table. The differences don’t really affect gameplay, but it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specific rules of the game before playing for real money.
Once the ball has come to a stop, the dealer clears the losing bets from the table and pays the winners. Winning bets are left on the table to be re-betd and won again if the player chooses to do so. A player’s chips are not returned until the table has been cleared of all bets.
In addition to standard bets, roulette also offers a number of special announced bets. These bets are mostly featured in French Roulette games but can also be found at some online roulette variations. The most popular announced bet is the Voisins du Zero, which covers 6 numbers. Another special bet is called Le Tiers du Cylindre and covers 12 numbers. It’s located opposite of the zero on the wheel compared to the Voisins du Zero bet and has different payout odds.
