Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. The game seems simple and straightforward enough, but a closer look reveals a surprising level of depth and the right strategy can reap high rewards.
The game consists of spinning a ball around the edge of a wheel and betting on what number or type of bet it will land on. Correctly guessing the winning number earns you even money (i.e. 1:1) or, if the bet is on a 0 or 00, you lose. There are a number of different ways to bet on the game, but the most important thing is to choose a table within your budget and stick with it.
Bets can be placed on single numbers, various groupings of numbers, red or black, odd or even, and on whether the numbers are high (19-36) or low (1-18). A player’s chips are placed on the roulette board or layout to make their bet. Bets that are placed on the numbers are called “inside bets,” and those on other sections of the layout are called “outside bets.”
The game is a bit like chess in that there are many, many strategies that are supposed to improve a player’s odds of winning. The truth is that the house has a slight advantage over players, regardless of what they bet on. Nevertheless, a few simple rules can reduce the house’s edge to a very small margin. For example, it is a good idea to cash out winning bets as soon as possible and not to dip into your winnings for future bets. This will help prevent the temptation to try and beat the maths or rig the game.