The Basics of Roullete

Roullete (pronounced roo-lay-tay) is a casino game that involves spinning a wheel and betting on either the number of the slot in which the ball settles, or on a grouping of numbers, or on whether the number is odd or even. Regardless of how you choose to bet, roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It’s also a game that offers surprisingly deep strategy for those who want to take it seriously.

The wheel consists of a solid disk, slightly convex in shape, with a series of metal partitions called “frets” around its edge, and thirty-six compartments (called canoes by roulette croupiers) painted alternately red and black. A croupier spins the wheel and tosses a small ball into it while the wheel is still in motion. The ball then bounces around the wheel until it comes to rest in one of the compartments — if the player has bet on that number or grouping, they win.

Before the wheel is spun, players place bets by laying down chips on a roulette table, with the precise location of the chip indicating the bet being made. Bets on single numbers are termed “inside bets” and those on groups of numbers (“streets”) are known as “outside bets”. Each bet pays out a different amount depending on the size of the wager: a single number bet costs 17 chips to complete, whereas a bet on number 2 requires 40 chips.

Each roulette table carries a placard with the minimum and maximum bets permitted. Before you begin playing, set a budget for yourself and decide how much you are willing to risk on each bet. Then, choose a table that is within your budget and bet accordingly. When you win a bet, cash out your winnings as quickly as possible. Doing otherwise will tempt you to use your winnings to make future bets, and that’s a sure way to lose.