Roulette Rules

More than any other game, roulette is probably the most misunderstood when it comes to learning roulette rules. While some people assume that the betting in roulette is extremely complicated – since there are many betting choices – others think that it is too simple: either red or black.

The truth about roulette rules is that it is both simple and complex. If you’re satisfied with keeping it very simple, then betting red or black all night will give you close to 50/50 odds. However, the payout for these bets is the lowest: 1 to 1.

In order to capitalize on the big roulette payouts, you need to fully understand the game of roulette. Here’s a quick course on roulette rules:

First off, it’s important to understand how the roulette wheel is laid out, since the layout of the wheel corresponds directly with your betting option. The pockets of the roulette wheel are numbered from 1 to 36. Odd numbers are red and even are black in ranges from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28. In ranges from 11 to 18 and 29 to 36, odd numbers are black and even are red.

Because the casino cannot make any money on a 50/50 betting game, the addition of green pockets skews the odds in favor of the house. European roulette wheels have a green zero pocket, while American roulette wheels have two green pockets, zero and double zero. Betting green gives you huge payouts should you hit it, since the odds are quite low (around 2%).

Inside Bets

Inside bets are the high payout, low probability bets that you make on individual numbers and small clusters of numbers. These inside bets include no more than 4 numbers being bet on per roll.

Outside Bets

Outside bets are the opposite of inside bets, in that they offer better odds of winning, due to the fact that you’re betting on larger sequences of numbers, but the payouts are much lower. Outside bets usually involve betting on groups of numbers in quantities no lower than 12 numbers. Outside bets also include betting on red/black, or on odd/even. Generally speaking, these are safest bets to make on the roulette wheel.

Minimum and Maximum Bets

Be mindful of the fact that roulette tables usually enforce minimum ad maximum bets per spin. The minimum and maximum will vary from table to table and from casino to casino. The best approach is to find a range that is comfortable for you and will give you the opportunity to play the longest. Also, it is a good idea to bet the same value of chips for each roll and not vary the betting amount.

Chip Colors

Unlike other table games at casinos that use the same chips for everyone, many roulette tables will give different colored chips for each player. This is a way for the dealer to keep track of which chips are yours. It also makes it easier to keep track of your bets when there are a lot of other gamblers at the table.

These are the basics for understanding roulette rules. Follow these, and you are bound to become roulette pro in no time.