Roulette Rules
The game of roulette is actually quite simple, yet many think it is complicated. Perhaps it is the air of ambience that seems to accompany the iconic wheel. The fact that there are so many squares to put chips in, or that they use a whole different set of chips than the rest of the casino- all of these things can be a bit overwhelming to a new player. The good news is that there are only a few rules that need to be learned in order for you to become a pro at playing roulette.
Most already know that the game involves a spinning wheel and a ball. The object of the game is to bet correctly about which number the ball will eventually land on. There are several different bets besides just the actual number the ball lands on, and we will get into detail about those later.
The most common version of roulette at most online casinos is American Roulette, also known as "double-zero" roulette. In this version, there are a possibility of 38 numbers that a ball can land on- the numbers 1-36, a 0 and the 00. The numbers are either black or red and are not on the wheel sequentially. They actually are placed in such a way as to balance out the red numbers from the black. The numbers are laid out like this:
The layout may look random, but there is indeed a method to the madness:
- Every odd number is opposite of the next-highest even number
- All red numbers are opposite of the black numbers
- Red and black numbers alternate
After bets are placed, the ball is released into the wheel. It travels in the opposite direction of the wheel's spin, and has many bumpy obstacles along the way until it stops. Therefore, it is almost entirely a game of chance.
After the ball lands, chips are either collected or given as winnings. You can always tell which are yours because each player has a different color of chips. For this reason, you must buy chips at the table, and cash them in at the table. At an online casino, you may be the only person playing. Some casinos do offer multi-player games, and the chips for each player will be in different colors, just like an offline casino. The chips are unmarked and have no set value. The player must tell the dealer what value they wish to have for their chips when they buy them. If you give the dealer $50 and say you want 50 chips, then the set value will be for one dollar per chip. The chips at a roulette table are sometimes referred to as "wheel checks".
The table has many boxes on it, and this is where you place your bets. At an online casino, you simply use your mouse to click where you want your bet to be placed. The table looks like this:
There are two types of bets- inside and outside bets. The inside bets refers to the numbers 1-36 on the table. You place your chips on a particular number, and if the ball lands on that number, you win. You are allowed to bet on more than one number, but the total of your bets must add up to the minimum table bet, at the very least. In other words, if the minimum bet is $10, and you wish to bet on five numbers, then you must bet at least $2 on each number. Here are a few inside bets:
- Straight-up- means you are betting on one particular number, no more. The odds are 35:1.
- Split bet- means you are using the same chip or chips to bet on two numbers. You are only allowed to do this for numbers that are next to each other on the table. You simply place the chips on the line between the two numbers. If the ball lands on either one, you get paid at 17:1.
- Street bet- This means you are going to bet on three numbers at once that are in a row. For example, if you wish to bet on 4, 5 and 6, you place your chips on the line that is on the outside of the 6. If you hit, it pays odds of 11:1.
- Square bet- this bet means you have placed your chips on the intersecting line of 0 and 3. If the ball lands on 0, 1, 2 or 3, you win on odds of 8:1.
- Corner bet- This is quite similar to the split bet, only you are betting on four numbers at once instead of two. You place your chips on the intersection of all four numbers. If the ball lands on any of them, you are paid on odds of 8:1.
The other types of bets are outside bets. For these, the chips are placed on the outside of the rows of numbers. There are several different kinds:
- Red- You are betting that the ball will land on any number that is red. This is a good bet to make because you have a 50% chance of wining. If you do indeed win, you are paid even money.
- Black- Same as a red bet, only you are betting that the ball lands on any black number. Again, it is paid as even money.
- Even- You are betting the ball will land on any even number. Pays even money.
- Odd- You are betting the ball will land on any odd number for even money again.
- Low- even money bet where you are betting that the ball will land on the 'low' numbers of 1-18.
- High- Even money again, this bet means you think the ball will land on any one of the 'high' numbers of 19-36.
- Columns- At the bottom of the numbers boxes, there is a set of boxes that say "2-1". Each box marked this way is attached through the lines to other columns of betting boxes. If you put chips on one of these 2-1 boxes, you are betting that one of the bets from within that column will win. If you are right, this pays the stated odds of 2-1.
- Dozens- Means that you are placing a bet on one of the three sets of 12 numbers- either the first dozen, second or third dozen of numbers. The boxes for these bets are at the bottom of each set of numbers and pay 2:1.
Now that you know the bets, a few rules of etiquette. If you are playing, the dealer will at a certain point during the spin wave his/her hands over the table and say "no more bets". At this point you can place no more bets until the next spin. When the ball has landed, they will use a marker to mark the winning number. All other chips get collected, and then the winner or winners are paid. Once the marker is lifted, you may place bets for the next spin.
Once again, you must buy and cash out your chips at the table. Up to six people are allowed at a table and each gets a different color of chips. The cashiers can't cash roulette chips out for you.