Roulette is a gambling game that offers glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers worldwide. It’s one of the world’s most popular games, and is a staple at online and land-based casinos. But the game’s simplicity masks a surprising amount of depth for serious bettors who take the time to understand its rules and strategies.
Before you can begin betting, you need to know the table’s betting layout. Each table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed on each side of the betting area. In general, inside bets have higher payouts than outside bets, but you can make both at a single table. It’s also important to set a budget before you hit the tables, and choose a table that fits your budget.
When you’re ready to play, you place your chips on the desired position on the table map. The dealer then clears the table of any losing chips and pays the winners. Winners then place their bets for the next round, and the cycle continues. It’s best to avoid dipping into your winnings for future bets, since this will decrease your overall odds of success.
In Europe, the numbers on a roulette wheel range from 1 to 36 and alternate between red and black. There is a green division numbered 0 and on American tables, there’s an extra green 00. The house edge is higher on the American version of the game because these two additional numbers give the casino an advantage.
If you win a straight bet, the payout is 35 chips for number 1, 27 for number 2, and 23 for number 3. If you bet on zero, the payout is only 17 chips. The remaining 40 chips are your property, but the casino will leave them on the table and they’re eligible to be won again on the next spin.
The Line Bet/Six Number Bet/Sixline Bet (known as sixain in French) is made by placing your chip(s) to straddle the line between two rows. This type of bet is more conservative than the Street bet and offers a higher payout if you win, but it has a lower probability of hitting. This bet is a good option for new players who aren’t ready to risk their whole bankroll on an inside bet. However, you should still be wary of this type of bet because it doesn’t always pay off. The Dozens Bet (known as douzaine in French) is a similar bet. You’re wagering that the winning number will be in the first dozen (12 numbers), second dozen (17 numbers) or third dozens (18 numbers). If the ball hits any of these numbers, you will receive a payout of 2-1.