Roulette has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. Its rules are simple enough for anyone to understand, but it provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters. It is also one of the few games in which the correct strategy can reap high rewards.
Before the dealer spins the wheel, players place their bets by laying chips on a betting mat. These chips must be deposited in the precise location that indicates the desired bet type. The layout of the table is clearly defined, so players can easily identify which types of bets offer the best odds of winning.
The first thing to do is decide on a betting unit based on your available bankroll. Then, you should stick to this bet size until you have a win. It is a good idea to use the Martingale strategy for even money payouts, as it is proven to be effective against the house edge of roulette. However, it is not a very profitable strategy for other casino games that have varying odds.
After placing your bets, the dealer will spin the wheel and then roll a small ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track that runs around the perimeter of the wheel. When the ball has landed, the dealer will place a marker on the number or color that won and pay out winners. The loser bets will then be cleared from the table, and the winning ones removed from the layout before the next spin.
Roulette is popular in many casinos throughout the world, with different variants offering unique challenges and features. The most common variations of the game are American and European. The main difference between these two is that the American version has an extra green pocket, which increases the house edge to 2.70%. This is why most experienced players prefer to play the European version of the game, as it offers a lower house edge of 1.35%.
Another difference between the two versions of the game is that French roulette includes the ‘en prison’ rule, which enables players to get half their losing wager back if the ball lands in the zero pocket. This is an excellent way to mitigate the house edge and make your roulette experience more enjoyable. This is why we always recommend playing the French variant of the game when possible.