Roullete (pronounced roh-LAH-tay) is a casino game in which players place bets on which number, or grouping of numbers, the ball will land. Bets can be placed on a single number, various groupings of numbers, whether the number is odd or even, or if it is high (19-36) or low (1-18). There are several variations of roulette, and each one has slightly different rules and odds.
Roulette is a simple game to play, but it has a surprising amount of depth for serious bettors. In fact, it is one of the few casino games where a player can actually make money by correctly guessing which slot a ball will land in on the wheel.
In the modern version of roulette, there are 36 numbered pockets on a spinning disc that is divided into red and black divisions. There is also a green 0 (on American tables, there is a second green zero). The wheel and betting table are carefully designed to prevent cheating devices from being hidden in the wheel or the table.
Roulette wheels are manufactured in a variety of sizes and materials, but the best ones have smooth, uniform surfaces with an evenly distributed weight. The ball is made of a hard material, usually ivory but today often Teflon or resin to resemble ivory in look and feel. The size, shape and weight of the ball have a significant impact on the outcome of the spin. A small, light ceramic ball makes more revolutions on the wheel and jumps more unpredictably before landing than a larger ivorine ball.
When a spin is completed, all losing bets are cleared off the table and winning bets are paid out. This process is called “canceling.” Some players like to watch the other gamblers, hoping that they will pick up a pattern or clue about the next round’s odds by watching their opponents’ bets. This practice isn’t foolproof, and it won’t improve your odds more than coincidentally.
Before you start playing roulette, set a budget for the amount of time and money you’re willing to spend on it. Choose a table that allows you to play within your budget and select your bets accordingly. Each roulette table carries a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Most roulette tables have a $5 minimum for inside bets and a $1,000 maximum for outside bets.