Roulette differs from other casino games in its allure and grandeur. The sensation of watching the Roulette wheel spin, accompanied by the ball's vivid trajectory, is truly unique. It cannot be replicated or imitated. Roulette is in a league of its own among iconic casino games because of this unparalleled charm. It's a game admired for its finesse, dexterity and the strategic skill it requires. It has a considerable following within the iGaming community.
As a newcomer, it's entirely understandable if the popularity of the game can feel a little overwhelming. However, rest assured: Roulette has a relatively straightforward structure with rules that are easy to understand. With the help of this comprehensive guide, you'll quickly become a roulette virtuoso. You'll be able to navigate the intricacies of the game with finesse.
Roulette is a game that can be enjoyed both within the confines of a physical casino and in the realm of online gaming. Regardless of your chosen setting, our guide will equip you to play the game. In today's digital age, online gambling has undeniably grown in popularity. As a result, there are a plethora of online casinos populating the iGaming landscape. That's why you'll find this guide invaluable. It will help you identify the industry's leading platforms and provide you with a superior Roulette experience.
We've broken down all the rules into bite-sized chunks of information. This will help you understand the dynamics of the game. In addition, we'll look at a range of strategies designed to help you optimise your potential winnings. To add to the excitement, you'll learn about different game variations and bet types. You'll also gain an insight into odds and payouts. But before we get into the details, let's take a look at the origins of the game. Let's understand its historical roots.
A Brief History of Roulette
Roulette is a renowned casino classic. It owes its worldwide popularity to a fascinating history that goes back to its intriguing origins. The name that inevitably comes up when discussing roulette is that of Blaise Pascal. Pascal was a multi-talented Frenchman who played the roles of inventor, physicist and mathematician. Pascal's inventive endeavours led him on a quest to create a perpetual motion machine, one that could run indefinitely without the need for external energy.
The physics community considered such a feat virtually impossible. However, Pascal's tenacious spirit as an inventor spurred him on to challenge these limitations. Ultimately, what Pascal wanted to achieve did not come to pass. Instead, it led to the creation of one of the most iconic casino games in 17th century France: roulette, an outcome that would shape the fabric of casino culture.
Both single and double zeros appeared on early iterations of roulette wheels. The addition of the second zero tilted the odds in the casino's favour. It increased the house edge. Over time, roulette gained traction in France's illegal gambling establishments, which adopted the double-zero wheel format. This variant is recognised as American Roulette in modern times.
In a pivotal turn of events, in 1843, the French siblings Louis and Francois Blanc introduced a game-changing innovation - a roulette wheel that was adorned with only a single pocket of zero. This change drastically reduced the house edge. As a result, Roulette's popularity among gambling enthusiasts skyrocketed. Today, European Roulette is the name given to this variant, which is characterised by the presence of a single zero pocket.
The game found fertile ground to flourish when it crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans in the United States. Today, roulette's allure spans the globe. Its blend of chance and strategy has captivated gamblers for decades.
The Roulette Shift
The era of online gambling began in the late 19th century. It marked a decisive shift in the landscape of gambling activities. In its early stages, the virtual world was populated primarily by slot machines. They claimed their digital space. However, it was only a matter of time before the sophisticated allure of roulette made its way onto the digital stage. It brought an air of sophistication to the online gambling scene.
Today, the game's accessibility has transcended physical boundaries. You can play from virtually anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. Venues where the roulette wheel can be set in motion include prominent platforms such as real money online roulette sites. In addition, the versatility of today's technology extends the opportunity to indulge in Roulette across a spectrum of devices. These include PCs, Android devices, iOS gadgets and tablets. This breadth of accessibility has been facilitated by pioneering software developers such as RTG, Playtech and Microgaming. They have enabled various variations of Roulette to flourish in the digital realm.
If you are concerned about the loss of human interaction that is so prevalent in traditional brick and mortar casinos, rest assured that online platforms have tailored solutions. These platforms offer a variety of live roulette variations. The gambling experience remains the same. The game is played in real time via a live video stream. It is played with the presence of a human croupier or dealer. As a result, the captivating essence of human involvement is retained. This ensures a complete and fulfilling online Roulette experience that leaves nothing to be desired.
Roulette Rules & How to Play
Roulette is the quintessential casino game. Celebrated for its innate simplicity, it is as easy as a seamless one, two, three. Roulette's elegance is underlined by its straightforward nature, in contrast to the complex rules that characterise table games such as Baccarat and Blackjack. This quality is a boon to the novice player's chances of success at the table. Two fundamental components - the betting board, also known as the felt, and the iconic wheel - are at the heart of the game.
The felt plays host to an array of different bets. It serves as the designated area where betting chips are placed. In tandem, the wheel is the heart of Roulette. Its spinning holds the power to determine the outcome of each exhilarating round. However, the roulette landscape is adorned with two different wheel models: the American and the European. Each of these models has its own unique sequence of numbers that characterise its individuality. The American wheel has 38 compartments or pockets. In addition to the single zero (0), there is also a double zero (00).
The European version, on the other hand, has 37 pockets. A single zero adorns the European version. This particular configuration positions the European version as a prized choice among enthusiasts. It offers increased odds of winning. In addition, a striking visual distinction is created as each number on the wheel is adorned with a specific colour, alternating between the timeless shades of black and red. The central zero is given a distinct identity, typically in the muted shade of green.
As the wheel begins its mesmerising spin, a tiny white ball enters the equation. It takes up residence on the whirling wheel. As the wheel's kinetic dance comes to an end, the ball's capricious trajectory culminates in its settling into a pocket number. This heralds the final verdict of the round.
How to Play Roulette
With the layout of the game firmly in your grasp, it's time to dive into the thrilling action of the Roulette table. The Roulette felt, adorned with a variety of betting options, holds the key to the exhilarating gameplay that awaits you; we'll explain these options in more detail shortly. Before the start of each round, there is one crucial step ahead of you: the placing of bets. Here's a pro tip: feel free to orchestrate multiple bets within a single round to increase your chances of winning.
The indispensable element of chips enters the stage, whether you find yourself in the hallowed halls of a land-based casino or in the virtual realm of online platforms. Cash is an afterthought in this context. It is up to you to exchange your monetary resources for the indispensable game chips. These chips come in a variety of colours and different denominations. The variety varies from establishment to establishment.
The dealer plays a pivotal role when you take part in a live dealer roulette iteration or immerse yourself in the ambience of a physical casino. With practiced finesse, the dealer orchestrates the hypnotic spin of the wheel. He releases the ball onto the wheel's intricately designed surface. A simple tap of the spin button sets the game in motion once your bets have been placed. Your goal is to guess the exact pocket where the ball will land, and it's that pocket that becomes the focus of your wager.
Black/Red - You must place your chips on the black or red area of the table to place a bet. If the ball lands on any number in the colour of your choice, you win.
Odd/Even - Here you choose whether the ball lands on an odd or even number. If you place your chips on the 'odd' option and the ball lands on any odd number, you win. The same applies if you bet on the 'even' option.
High/Low - This is a bet on whether the ball will land on a high (19-36) or low (1-18) number. To bet, place your chips on the appropriate High/Low spot on the layout. If the ball lands on a number matching your selection, you win.
Column - At the bottom of each of the three columns on the roulette felt, you'll see the words '2 to 1'. Place your chips on the desired column to make a column bet. You win if the ball stops on any number in the column you have bet on.
Dozen - This is a bet that the ball will land on one of the three '12' boxes. To bet, place your chips on either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd 12-section. If the ball lands on any one of the 12 numbers you have selected, you win.
The Different Types of Roulette Bets
As previously mentioned, the world of Roulette is adorned with a myriad of different bet types. Each of these has its own specific odds and payouts. We will delve into the intricacies of these payouts later in this guide. Amidst the multitude of potential bets, the tapestry of Roulette bets boils down to two basic categories: outside bets and inside bets.
Inside bets
This classification refers to bets placed on individual numbers. It is confined to the inner sanctum of the roulette table layout. Inside bets offer the lure of higher payouts. However, their triumphant achievement is often accompanied by lower odds. There are six sub-categories within the realm of inside bets:
Straight Up: A bold bet on a single number on the Roulette table. To participate, place your chips on your chosen number. Triumph comes if the ball lands on your chosen number; failure, otherwise.
Split: A bet that covers two neighbouring numbers. Place your chips on the point where your chosen duo meet. Victory occurs if the ball lands on one of your selected numbers.
Straight: Also known as a trio bet, this bet covers a trio of vertically aligned numbers. By betting on this trio, you are casting your lot with a row of three preferred numbers. You win if the ball ends its journey on one of the numbers in your chosen row.
Corner: A bet on a quartet of numbers arranged in a square on the roulette felt. To make this bet, place your chips at the intersection of the four numbers. Triumph smiles upon you if the ball lands on any of these four chosen numbers.
Basket: A bet covering five numbers (0, 00, 1, 2 & 3). Should the ball's fate intertwine with any of these quintet numbers, jubilation will be your reward. Place your bet by placing chips between zero (0) and one (1).
Line: A bet that spans two adjacent streets. To participate, place your chips between the two streets of your choice. Victory knocks at your door when the ball lands on one of the six numbers you have selected.
Outside bets
As the nomenclature suggests, these bets are located on the periphery of the Roulette table. They offer smaller payouts than their inside counterparts, but their appeal lies in the increased odds they offer. The realm of outside bets encompasses five sub-categories:
Black/Red: Place your chips on either the black or red area of the Roulette felt. You will be triumphant if the ball lands on a number of your chosen colour.
Odd/Even: The choice is binary - odd or even. By selecting one of these options, you predict the ball's preference for an odd or even number. You will be exhilarated if the ball embraces a number that matches your chosen category.
High/Low: The horizon of this bet spans the realms of high (19-36) and low (1-18) numbers. To participate, place your chips in the High/Low area of the table. Victory awaits if the ball lands on a number that matches your chosen area.
Column: Beneath each of the three columns on the roulette felt is the word "2 to 1". By placing your chips on the column of your choice, you are making a column bet. Success dances in your direction should the ball decide to stay in your chosen column.
Dozen: This bet revolves around anticipating the ball's embrace in one of three "12" quadrants. By placing your chips on either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd section of 12, you are betting on the prospect of triumphant vindication. Victory accompanies the ball's chosen number, and your chosen 12 numbers converge.
As the diverse world of Roulette reveals its betting tapestry, the realm of inside and outside bets unfolds, promising a rich array of choices to suit every player's disposition.
