Roulette

In order to play Roulette, you have to understand the roulette wheel, how it works and the various types you're likely to come across in casinos across the globe.

The two main varieties you're likely to come accross are:

American Roulette

This wheel has 38 partitions that are numbered from the 00, 0 to 36. By having both the 0 and the 00 option, the house maintains an advantage of 5.26%. This means that for every $10 bet the house is assured of making 52 cents profit. It doesn't sound much, but it certainly adds up.

European Roulette

This wheel has 37 partitions that are numbered from the 0 to 36. With having only 1 zero the house has an advantage of 2.70%. This means that for every $10 bet the house is certain to make 52 cents profit. This is the best wheel to play as the house advantage is much less and that makes it easier for you to win.

We know you probably know the various types of roulette bets like the back of your hand, but just in case you're a little shaky on one or two of them, here's a quick review of the types of bets you can make in Roulette.

Straight Up

This is a wager on a single number, including zero (0) and double zero (00). If the ball stops at your number, your bet pays 35 to 1.

Split Bet

This is a wager on two adjacent numbers in the roulette table, which is placed on the line dividing the two numbers. If the ball stops at either number, your bet pays 17 to 1.

Street Bet

Street bets cover three numbers. The chip is placed on the outer right boundary line of the roulette table, next to the corresponding row of three numbers. If either number hits, the street bet pays 11 to 1.

Corner Bet

Corner bets cover four numbers. The chip is placed on the cross where the four numbers intersect. If any of the four numbers hit, your corner bet pays 8 to 1.

Five Bet

This bet covers the following numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. The chip is placed on the outer right boundary line of the roulette table, between 00 and 3. If either number hits, your five bets pays 6 to 1.

Line Bet

A line bet covers the six different numbers in two rows of three numbers. For example: 4,5,6 plus 7,8,9). The chip is placed on outer right boundary line of the roulette table, where the line dividing the two rows intersects it. If any of the six numbers hit, your line bet pays 5 to 1.

Column Bet

On the short side of the roulette table are three boxes marked "2 to 1." By placing your chip in one of these boxes, you mark all twelve numbers above it (0 and 00 excluded). If the ball stops at either of these numbers, your bet pays 2 to 1.

Dozen Bet

You can bet on a group of twelve numbers by placing your chip in one of the three boxes marked "1st 12," "2nd 12," or "3rd 12." A winning dozen bet pays 2 to 1.

Red/Black, Even/Odd and Low/High Bets

A bet placed in one of the boxes on the left, long side of the table covers half of the roulette numbers (excluding zero and double zero). Each box covers 18 numbers. These bets pay even money, 1 to 1.



The most important way to walk away from the roulette table as a winner is to budget your money, and know when it's time to take your winnings and run! By scattering your bets on the roulette table, you will increase your odds of winning more in the long run. Instead of betting a stack of chips straight up on your lucky number, place only one chip straight up on your lucky number, and use the rest to place corner bets. If you win, use winnings to increase your bets. If you lose, go back to the minimum bet.

Set aside a small portion of your total gambling till for wild impulse bets. If that lucky number comes up two spins in a row, and you're determined to place a bundle on that number during the next spin (even though your rationale is flawed), use your impulse betting till. If you lose, you will only lose a portion of your stake and can use the rest to place wiser bets.