The Basics of Roullete
Roullete is the French word for “little wheel.” It has been a favorite casino game since the 17th century and provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters.
The game’s origin is a bit of a mystery, but the basic idea is simple. You bet on a number or group of numbers, the color red or black, or whether it is odd or even.
Players place their bets on a roulette table by placing chips on a mat, the precise location of which indicates the amount being bet. The betting area is laid out on a grid, which resembles a street map with rows and columns of numbers.
Unlike craps, where there is a variety of bets and a large range of payouts, the odds on roulette bets are relatively flat. This makes it a good game to use as a way to stretch your bankroll.
A Roulette wheel is made of a wooden disk, slightly convex in shape, with a series of divisions around its edge that revolve around the center of the wheel. The divisions are numbered from 1 to 36 in a seemingly random pattern and alternate red and black. There is also a green division numbered 0 on American-style wheels and a second green division numbered 00 on European-style wheels.
Each section of the wheel has a slot, which is occupied by a ball when it is spun by the dealer. The wheel spins smoothly in an almost frictionless manner.
Before each round of play, the dealer clears any winning bets and collects the losing ones. Then, after each decision, a “buck” or other symbol sits on the table to indicate which number was hit.
The dealer then places a marker on the number that won. Then, the player can cash out their winnings or re-place them at the same table.
In addition to a wheel, a roulette table typically has a small bowl that houses the ball. The wheel is surrounded by metal partitions known as separators or frets, which divide the bowl into canoes of compartments. The canoes contain thirty-six pockets numbered from 1 to 36 in an alternation of red and black.
