Roulette - How to Play
Roulette is one of the oldest casino games and one of the easiest to learn. All you need to know to play roulette is your favorite numbers or colors.
Whether you play at a live casino or online, you should have no trouble getting started with roulette.
How to Play Roulette
When you approach a roulette wheel, you will see a layout with the numbers 0, 00 and 1 through 36. The numbers will alternate between black and red. The wheel next to the layout will have corresponding numbers above notches. The notches are where the roulette ball rests after a spin.
Betting Options in Roulette
Also on the layout are side bets, sections indicating red or black, odd or even, first, second or third column, first, second or third dozen, and first half (1-18) and second half (19-36). When you put down your money at a live roulette table, you'll receive a corresponding amount of chips with a specific color. The chips are of the same denomination. The color is just to differentiate your chips from those of others playing at the table. When playing roulette online you don't have to worry about keeping track of your chips. You are the only player at the table, and you can play at your own chosen speed.
How to Bet in Roulette
You can put down as many chips as you want anywhere on the layout, subject to the table limits. Chips put directly on a number pay off if the ball lands on that number on the wheel. You can split your bet between two, four or six numbers and receive a lower payout if any of them hit. You can put chips on any of the side bets or on zero or double zero. As long as you meet the table minimums and maximums, you can spread out your chips how you want on the layout, even while the ball is spinning in the wheel, until the croupier announces "no more bets."
How to Win at Roulette
Players get paid according to what the odds would be of their number hitting if there were no zero or double zero. For example, a straight number bet pays 35-1, and a bet on black pays even money. European roulette wheels have only one zero, which is favorable to the player.