Roulette Basics

Players: Along the roulette table there is room for about six players. In European Roulette The number of players is unlimited, in the American game the players are limited by the number of chip colors at the table, usually six.

Object of game: All you have to do is to guess which hole the spinning ball will drop into on the roulette wheel, place your bet on that guess and wait for the outcome.

Advantage: Casinos have a fixed advantage on the players at this game, taking an average of 5.26% of all the bets placed on individual numbers on the table (with a double zero roulette) or 2.7% (with a single zero roulette). This does not mean you always loose... It means that on the long run this is what the casino profit averages. For example, Odds are that a player betting $10 per game on individual numbers will lose approximately $48 after three hours, but if his luck & betting strategies are good he can definitely come out with a nice profit!

Table layout: The numbers 1 to 36 plus 0 and 00 (on a double zero roulette) are printed on the table. The numbers are laid out in three rows of twelve numbers and a few boxes beside the numbers, called the "outside" bets. The numbers are divided into three betting sets of twelve each: the top twelve from 1 to 12, the middle twelve from 13 to 24 and the bottom twelve from 25 to 36. There are areas for betting red or black, areas for betting odd or even and an area for betting the first 18 numbers or the last 18 numbers.

The Chips: Every player has a different chip color, this makes the betting very easy to follow. In the European version of the game everyone plays with the same color chips.

Playing roulette: The Dealer sees that all bets are down, spins the wheel and rolls an ivory ball in the opposite direction. He ends the betting after a while calling "no more bets". When the ball settles in one of the slots, the dealer places an icon on that number. Now the bettings results are taken care of: the dealer removes all chips that did not scratch the winning number and pays off the winners. He removes the icon and the round is over. Next, the players place their new bets for the following spin. Each round can lasts approximately one minute - even less.

Betting: Usually the casino determines a minimum bet. A $10 minimum means you must bet at least $10 on the outside of the table (groups such as red or black, even or odd etc.), or $10spread on any numbers inside. The minimum bet is posted on the table, if you are not sure you can ask the dealer. Place your bet after the last round payoffs or done and the icon is removed, and, before the ball has started its descent toward the numbered pocket. There is a common way of placing your bets, see the section below for details.

Placing bets & Payoffs: You can find all the bets, betting combinations and their odds on a card printed by the Casino. Here are a few sample payoffs:

Straight-up bet: A bet on one number (Any number including 0 and 00). Pays 35 to 1 (that is your bet plus 35 times your bet).

Split bet: Placing a chip on a line between two numbers. Either comes up you get 17 to 1.

Street bet: A chip on the edge of a row covers three numbers. Pay off is 11�to�1.

Corner bet: A chip on an intersection covers four numbers. Pay off is 8�to�1.

Red or black: Pay off is 1 to 1.

A bet on 18 numbers: pays 1 to 1.

A bet on 12 numbers: pays 2 to1.

Of course the more numbers you choose to cover in one bet the lower the payoff.

Payment: If your win is from outside bets, the dealer will lay your winning chips just beside your original bet. You should pick up your winnings and your original bet after the payoff if you do not want to let them play again on that bet. On inside bets the dealer pays directly to you. Have fun...

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