Learn the Basics of Roulette

Roulette, meaning little wheel in French, is a casino game that’s all about chance. In this classic game, players place chips on a numbered grid that corresponds to the pockets of a spinning wheel. The croupier then sends the ball spinning around the wheel, and when it settles into a pocket marked with your number, you win! While many people play the game with a grandiose strategy, it’s important to remember that roulette is a true game of chance. Attempting to gain an advantage by watching other players or betting against them will only lower your odds of winning.

Before you start playing, learn the basics of the game and how to make bets. Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed, including the amount of money you can lose on inside bets. Set a budget before you begin betting, and choose a table within that range. Once the dealer clears off the table of losing bets, start by placing wagers on “outside” bets (groups of numbers rather than individual digits). These bets are often cheaper and have a higher probability of hitting.

To make an outside bet, place your chip(s) at the end of any row of three consecutive numbers on the table map. Then, place your other chip(s) on the corresponding number. This bet pays 1-1 if it wins.

The Dozens Bet: Also known as partage et manque in French, this bet is an even-money bet that’s placed on either the first dozen (12 numbers), the second dozen (17 numbers), or the third dozen (18 numbers). Neither the zero nor the 00 count for this bet, so if one of these comes up, you lose.

A Split Bet: This bet is similar to the Street Bet, except you’re staking your chips on the line between two adjacent numbers. If the ball lands on this spot, you win. If the ball lands on a 0, you lose. This bet pays 17-1 if it wins.