Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to play, as there are no complex strategies or complex rules to remember. However, the plethora of betting options can take some getting used to, so a little preparation is also necessary for this game.
The basic roulette rules
Roulette is a board game consisting of a large spinning wheel with either 37 (European version) or 38 number pockets (American version – plus a double zero pocket). The zeros are green and the remaining numbers are equally divided into 18 red pockets and 18 black pockets.
The dealer spins the ball in the opposite direction to the wheel and the number and colour on which the ball lands then indicates the winning number and colour. Before the ball is spun, all players place bets on either the colour or combination of numbers, which will be discussed in more detail in a moment.
In a real casino, each player exchanges their money or chips for roulette chips and so each player gets a specific colour to make it easier to distinguish between players, but of course this is not necessary in an online casino.
Betting options
There are mainly two types of bets in roulette – one is made on a specific number or colour and the other bets cover a larger group of numbers. The broader the group you bet on, the smaller the payout, but again, the higher the chance of winning.
- The first option is to bet on a specific number.
- The second is to bet between two numbers.
- The third is to bet on three numbers in a horizontal line.
- Then there is a bet on four numbers connected by a corner.
- A bet can be made on the first four.
- Then there is the six-digit row (rows one below the other).
- Twelve numbers in column vertically.
- Bets on a dozen are 1 – 12, 13 – 24 and 25 – 36.
- Bet on the red colour.
- Bet on black.
- A bet on an even or odd number.
- A bet on half the board.
Somehow it has become popular to believe that the most foolproof bet is on the colour: either red or black. Choosing between the two gives you the highest probability of winning, and the fun should last longer.
“The ‘house edge’ and strategies
In general, in the game of roulette, it is not possible to wager very much to overcome house advantage. However, there are a number of strategies that, in theory, should help you to beat the house in the long run (and unfortunately lose large amounts of money from time to time). In general, however, European roulette has less of an advantage over the house because it lacks one combination – double zero. According to the statistics, American roulette has a house advantage of 5.26%, while European roulette has only a 2.70% advantage. So here in Europe, we still have an advantage and, in conclusion, roulette is still, in my opinion, a game of chance, the idea of which is rather to enjoy the beauty of the game. Sometimes it’s nice to go out with friends, finish the evening with a few roulette rounds and, like the lottery, give luck a chance. As long as we don’t gamble on overly absurd bets and understand that there is always a chance of losing our money, it shouldn’t hurt anyone.
So I wish you the skill to enjoy the pleasures of the casino and to be able to distinguish between a game that is worth playing to make money and one that is still a lottery – allegory type product. Until new posts!
