Since 1700 roulette has been a staple table game in casinos worldwide enjoyed by millions of players on a yearly basis. As one of the easiest yet most entertaining games in the casino, Roulette combines the element of chance with multiple betting options to create an awesome game suitable for everyone from beginner to expert.

Roulette Basics
Roulette is played on a longer style table with at wheel at one end. The table below the wheel has boxes with the numbers 1 to 36 arranged in three columns and twelve rows. At the top end of the table above the one, two and three boxes, you will find the zero and double zero boxes. Each of the numbers on the table will be surrounded by either a red or black box indicating which colour the number is on the wheel. The above numbers are also called “inside bets” due to their positioning on the table.

Outside numbers (bets) are located around the inside numbers. They consist of 18 boxes such as: red, black, odd, even, 1 of 12, 2nd of 12 and 3rd of twelve to name a few.

The roulette wheel consists of 38 slots that the ball can possibly land on. The dealer will spin the wheel in a counter clockwise direction while spinning the ball in the opposite direction. Once the ball slows down, it will eventually land in one of the numbered spots.

Roulette chips are a little different than your regular chips you would use at most games. The chips are coloured so that the dealer can differentiate whose bets belong to whom. You are not allowed to share your chips with anyone and your bets could be rendered void if you do. Your dealer will ask you what your denomination of chips will be. You can make them singles or worth $5 or $10. Make sure you cash your roulette chips before you leave as they are not valid for any other games and the tellers will not accept them at the cash out station.

Roulette Rules
Now that you are familiar with the layout of the roulette table you now need to learn the rules of the game. The game is pretty simple to grasp. Try to guess where the ball is going to land.

You will begin your betting after the dealer has cleared the table from the previous spin. Only players sitting at the table can play. The dealer will spin the ball around the wheel while players bet. When the ball is about to slow down and fall on the track the dealer will wave his or her hand over the table to signal no more bets. The ball will come to a complete stop in one of the wheels 38 slots. The dealer will then put a marker on that number so that he or she can pay out the bets.

Roulette Betting
When you are playing your chips you need to understand how to the betting system works. The table that you play on will have a inside and a outside minimum. This means that there is a certain amount you will have to play before your bet becomes valid. Most outside minimums are more due to their higher probability of coming up. The inside part of the table has a lower minimum as the odds are harder.

Inside bets consists of placing your chips on any of the 38 numbers on the table. If you place a 1 dollar chip on red 6 and that is the number that comes up, then you win 36 times your bet, $36. You can also increase your span of numbers by placing your chip in the middle of 4 numbers. For example, you can place your chip between the numbers 1,2,4,5 if any of the numbers come up you will receive nine times your bet. This betting tactic is called splitting. The types of splits are labelled below.

Split Bet: A wager with one chip on two numbers paying 17 to 1.

Street Bet: A wager on three numbers paying 11-1.

Corner Bet: A wager placed on four numbers with your chip in the middle of them pays 8-1.

Five Number Bet: A wager placed on 5 numbers pays 6-1.

Double Street Bet: Pays 5-1 and covers two three number rows.

Outside bets are comprised of the following:

Red or Black Bet: Wagering on if the ball will land on a red or black square.

Odd or Even Bet: Wagering on the ball landing on a number that will be either odd or even.

1st through 18 or 19 through 36 Bet: Wagering on what half of the numbers might come up,1-18 or 19-36.

Dozen Bets: Bets on the first 12 numbers the second 12 numbers or the third set of 12 numbers which pays 2 to 1.

Column Bets: Placing a bet on one of the three columns at the end of the table selecting 12 numbers in that column. This also pays 2 to 1.

You may think by playing the outside of the roulette table you have a 50% chance of a payout. But remember that the house has the advantage due to the zero or the double zero’s on the wheel which you should always consider when placing your bets.