Roulette is a game with a long history and is one of the most thrilling casino games. Whether you choose to play at a land-based casino or online, it isn’t that difficult to learn how to play. You basically have to guess which number pocket the ball will land in and place your chips on the table to pick numbers, colors, or ranges you think will win.
Know the roulette wheel
American and European roulette wheels are different. Both feature 36 pockets that alternate between black and red, high and low, and even and odd numbers. The main difference when playing American roulette online or at land-based casinos is that the American wheel has two green pockets – a zero and a double zero. The European wheel has only one green pocket. This means the house edge for American roulette is higher than that of the European wheel.
Opting for the European version of the wheel gives you more chance of winning. European roulette also has a rule where you get back half your wager if you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero. This reduces the house edge even more and is why players looking for the best odds will choose to play this version.
Can you use a strategy when playing roulette?
In poker, your strategies may be based on player behavior, but this isn’t the case when playing roulette. Many pros advise that you should have good bankroll management and must play for a long time if you want to win at roulette. You can decide whether to use a strategy or not. The Martingale strategy is one commonly chosen and using it may increase your chances of winning. What does help is to know where to place your bets. Understanding how they work, and the odds of winning can help you to increase your potential returns.
Inside and outside bets
Inside bets are wagers you place on the inside numbers on the betting table, and outside bets are ones you place on the outside segments. Inside bets are riskier and outside bets are safer.
Inside bets are on a specific number or small group of numbers on the wheel. The chances of winning are lower, so payouts are higher. You can place your chips directly on a single number for a straight bet or between two adjacent numbers for a split bet. A street bet will cover three adjacent numbers in a row. There are various other inside bets too such as a corner bet or line bet.
Outside bets offer different odds and cover a larger amount of the wheel. Each type of outside bet comes with its own house edge and strategies. If you want to maximize your chances of winning, you should place even money on outside bets such as red/black, high/low, or even/odd. Your payout may only be 1:1 but you can make yourself lucky because your chances of winning are higher. In roulette, balancing risks and rewards is essential. You must consider the odds versus your potential gains when you place bets. Understanding the different types of bets will help you to make more informed decisions.
Playing the game
You will start the game by placing a bet. You will select the chip value and the type of bet you want. You then place your chips on the corresponding area of the roulette table. The croupier will release the ball into the spinning roulette wheel and then announce, ‘no more bets.’
The ball eventually lands on a number on the wheel. You will get a reward based on your betting odds and whether you choose to place an inside or outside bet. After the winners are paid out, you can place another bet for the new spin of the wheel.
When playing roulette, bonus features such as free spins, bonus rounds, or extra chips can enhance your play and increase your chances of winning.
