Roulette is a casino game that provides glamour, mystery and excitement to players. Its simple rules make it easy for beginners to learn, and its betting options provide depth for more serious gamblers. The proper strategy can reap high rewards.
Before the croupier spins the wheel, players place their chips on a betting mat, with the exact placement of the chips indicating their bet. Bets placed on six numbers or less are called “Inside bets.” Bets placed on 12 numbers or more are called “Outside bets.” Once the chips have been settled, the croupier places the ball in one of the pockets on the roulette wheel. Once the ball has landed, the croupier removes any losing bets and pays out winning bets according to the payout table. Then the process starts over with a new round of betting and spinning.
The roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with a metal rim and thirty-six compartments, or “canoes” as the croupiers call them. These compartments are painted alternately red and black, and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. There is also a green compartment labelled 0 on European wheels and two extra green compartments marked 00 on American roulette wheels.
Until recently, the ball used in roulette was made of ivory but modern professional balls are made with materials such as resin and Teflon to improve the consistency and feel of the game. The size, weight and material of the ball can have a significant effect on the result of a spin. For example, a small, light ceramic ball will make more revolutions on the wheel and jump around more unpredictably before landing than a larger, heavier ivory ball.
The first step in maximizing your chances of winning is to properly handle your bankroll. Set a budget before you play and stick to it. Each roulette table carries a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets allowed, so you can choose a table that suits your budget. Also, watch for special roulette reward supplies that gambling establishments may offer via e-mail newsletters or on their promotions web page.