Roullete (or simply roulette) is one of the most popular casino games. Its glamour and mystery have captivated players since the 17th century. But a closer look reveals that it’s a game with surprisingly deep mathematical structure and the right strategy can reap high rewards.
The game consists of spinning a small ball in the opposite direction of a revolving wheel, with bets placed on the red or black numbered compartments it will pass through as it slows and comes to rest. A single number is the smallest bet, while various groupings of numbers pay off at lower odds. In addition, a player may bet on the color of the number or whether it is odd or even.
A roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with thirty-six red and black painted compartments called frets or pockets, and a green zero. On European-style wheels, a second green compartment carries the number 0. On American wheels, there are two red compartments and a single green zero. The rim of the wheel is divided into sections by metal partitions, or canoes, that are arranged in alternate rows, forming thirteen segments. Each of these is painted a different color, with the exception of the green zero and the single red zero, which are both achromatic colors (no hue).
When the dealer spins the wheel, the ball drops into a pocket. The croupier then clears the table of losing bets and pays the winners. Winning bets remain in play until a player requests to withdraw them. A player should cash out his winnings as soon as possible to avoid dipping into them for future bets, and should also make sure to place his bets with the same amount each time.
Some players watch other players, hoping that they know something the others don’t, or trying to do the opposite of their opponents’ actions. But such methods have not been proven to improve the player’s odds of winning.
The best approach is to choose a table within your budget and stick to it. A good way to do this is by reading the table map, which describes the minimum and maximum bets. Each table will carry a placard with the information, so check it before you begin.