How to play roulette. There were times I do look at people placing chips on the red and black dots on the table’s layout of a casino game without understanding what they were doing.
What confused me the most then was that the chips were of different colours. I can remember how I kept wondering the essence of the differences in the colours.
I also noticed that players can build mountains of colourful chips as they place one chip on top of another.
Then, my confusion heightens whenever a dealer, who has been observing the players all this while, uses a long stick with a scoop-like tip to sweep off the chips.
But, instead of the players complaining, they begin to place the chips again. And so the round continues.
Well, what I just described up there is what is known as the Roulette game. If you have experienced what I described, especially the confusion part of it, don’t worry, you are not alone.
We are here for you. And, I guess that is why you are here too.
If you have been observing the game of roulette for some time now, you would have noticed the beautiful layout of the table, the box that contains a wheel, how the wheel rotates when the dealer set it in motion, and how it stops moving shortly before the dealer starts clearing the table of some of the chips.
All these may not make sense to you right now because you don’t yet understand how the game is played.
But like I said earlier, you are here today for a specific reason: to understand all you can about the game of roulette and how it is played.
In this guide, you will learn all the tips you should have to be better equipped for your first date with Roulette.
You will learn how to bet, the different types of bets, what the different components of the layout of that beautiful table stand for, the components of the wheel and its role in the game, steps to play the game, the staff you can meet on the table, and so many other things that every roulette player, including beginners, needs to know. So, just tag along, you will be happy you did.
Why You Should Play Roulette
I know it’s easy to get discouraged and intimidated when it comes to playing games you barely understand, but that’s why we are here.
Like I stated earlier, you will find out everything you need to know about this game by the time you are through reading this guide. So, don’t let that table intimidate you anymore.
But then, why should you play roulette? Is this question swirling around your mind? Are you more comfortable with playing slots because it’s just you and the machine? Oh well, you may need to try out roulette when next you go to that casino.
Believe me, you will love it. Here, I will give you some cogent reasons why you don’t want to miss this game at every opportunity you get.
The followings are the reasons you should play Roulette:
1. First of all, roulette does not require any special skills to be played. Well, in as much as many people don’t know this, it is true.
You don’t need to develop any gambling skills, discover some strategies and what have you to play this game.
Just follow the steps, place the bets, and have fun all the way.
2. Roulette is loaded with excitement. You know, in roulette, you place bets, drop chips in the right places, and then wait for the ball to determine your fate.
Isn’t that amazing?
Imagine the joy that comes with discovering the ball likes you and wants you to win. Wouldn’t you feel so honoured and blessed? Well, that’s what happens at the roulette table.
There is always excitement from the beginning to the end of every round. Placing bets is filled with excitement.
Watching the ball roll round the wheel is another intrigue because you are anticipating the result.
Then, winning and losing also have their excitements. So, if you want a fun-filled day or weekend, play roulettes.
3. Everybody can play roulette. I don’t know how to emphasise this so you can understand it very well.
Whether you are a pro or an amateur, roulette is for you. Whether you are among the rich, the working class, the middle class, the high class, or whatever class you belong to, roulette is for you.
All you have to do is locate a casino and the table that suits your budget and start having fun.
4. You can’t be cheated on the roulette table. Who’s going to cheat you anyway? The ball? That’s not possible.
The casino can’t decide where the ball lands, can they? Of course, no. No one can. The ball has its own mind and no one can dictate for it.
But, it may be a different ball game if you are playing an online roulette game. In this case, the gaming software will be programmed to land on certain numbers at a particular point in time.
But no one can still cheat you there. So, play your game. If you win, you cash out. If you lose, you try again. Life is fun.
5. You will have the time to socialise at the table. I noticed some newbie roulette players are afraid to play around with people.
They are uncomfortable with playing in a crowd. They don’t anyone to know they are beginners or amateurs.
But then, if you are afraid of playing in the crowd too, you need to understand there is a day one for everyone.
I mean, people started doing something on a particular day. No one was born a roulette player or a roulette pro.
Everyone you see playing the game learnt how to do it the way you are doing it right now. So, be free and mix up.
Play with the rowdy players and have fun. Socialise. Stay with the team. Lose with them. Win with them. And laugh with them. They are all part of the fun.
6. You will get all the help you need when playing the game. For sure, by observing how other players place bets, you will learn one or two extra things about playing roulette.
The dealer is also there to explain things to you if you become confused. The players may equally give you a useful tip or two, especially if they are among those that win often. So, you can never be lost on the roulette table.
7. Take a break and play something new. If you are used to playing only slots or other table games each time you visit a casino, I think it’s time you make a change.
Ignore those other favourites today and move to the roulette table; you will be glad you did so.
If you play games with online casinos, go down the list of games, ignore all those beautiful slot games, and select roulette. Remember, variety spices up life. So, it’s time to make that change.
Things to Bear in Mind while Playing Roulette
Ok, before we go further into all you need to know about playing roulette, you need to understand some things about the game.
Now, the things I will list here are just some tips that will help you to understand how the game works.
You need to bear them in mind as you plan for the game and when you, eventually, play it:
1. Roulette is a game of chance. Ok, I think I’ve said it before, though not directly, but you need to hear it again. Truth is, winning and losing on the game of roulette is all about luck.
Remember, the ball decides for you. But, how does the ball take that decision? It’s simple: luck, chance, and probability.
There is nothing you can do to determine who wins and who loses (except placing bets strategically).
2. Remember, in online casinos and at online roulette games, the result or outcome of the wheel spin is determined by the Random Number Generator (RNG).
This is the online gaming software that generates millions of numbers and number combinations in seconds.
Here, the number the software generates the millisecond you pressed the play button determines whether you will win or lose.
But, just as seen in a live casino, placing bets strategically are a good chance you have to win.
3. As you can see, you need no special skills, strategies, and/or tactics to play the roulette.
However, you need to learn how to place bets strategically to have more chances of winning.
As a result, you have to learn all the basic types of bets in roulette to be able to play it properly. You will learn about these bets in the “Types of Bets” section of this article.
4. Don’t be in a hurry to play the game. Do your best to observe other players first before going in for the game. That will help you to learn the types of bets that have a higher probability of winning.
Note that the bets are still under probability, meaning that they must not pay all the time even if they pay often.
However, you need to understand now that some bets are more preferable to others. You will understand all these as we move on.
5. Don’t bet too high. I mean, you should have known by now there is no guarantee you will win back your money or any percentage of the money you wagered, right?
So, cut down on your bets. In fact, go for the lowest wagers you can ever get and stick to it.
To make this achievable, here are some of the tips that will help you:
- Set a budget. Here, plan how much you are going to spend at the casino before you leave for it.
- Drop your credit card at home. You don’t want to spend more than you planned to, right? So, avoid the temptation to spend over your budget by leaving your card behind.
- Look for a casino that accepts the level of bet you budgeted. You don’t want to go to places that will run you into debt and make you regret it later, do you?
- Look for a table that will admit your low bets. You can ask the dealer the bet limits if there is no placard on the table to indicate that.
- Bet low. Ok, we’ve said this before but I need to remind you again. So, stay low so you don’t run out of cash shortly after you begin. I bet you want to stay longer at the casino, right? So, achieve that by betting low.
- Don’t bet on every round. Try to back out every now and then to take a breath. Let some rounds pass before you place bets again. Your nerves also need that break.
6. Have fun. People should actually play roulettes to have fun and not to make money. Sure, we all want to win some money, maybe a lot of money, but that shouldn’t be the primary goal for playing the game.
You see, if you play to win money, you will put yourself under the pressure to win. You may even begin to bet heavily and then lose heavily. You will also become angry, antsy, and jealous.
Yes, you may become angry that other players are winning when you’re losing. That way, you will turn your anger on them. Besides, you will start experiencing pains at every loss.
So, don’t be a sore loser and an angry desperate player. Go there to relax, have fun, laugh hard, and socialise.
The best way to achieve this is to bet within your limit and prepare your mind to lose some rounds.
7. Remember to place your chips correctly to reflect the type of bet you wagered. Each box and line you see on the table layout represents a type of bet.
Make sure the place or point you put your chip tallies with the type of bet you wished to place. Feel free to ask the dealer for help if you are unsure of what to do.
The Equipment for Roulette Game
In this section, you will find out the equipment you will meet when you play roulette and what they are used for. But, actually, roulette doesn’t have much equipment just the same way it doesn’t have much staff.
1. Chips: You must have noticed the chips being used by the players come in different beautiful colours. That’s one of the outstanding things about roulette.
In this game, the chips are colourful and are made a bit different from those used in other games. Anyway, the chips you see on the table have different colours because each player is given chips of a different colour.
So, when you get to the table and tell the dealer your bet range, he or she will issue you chips with colours different from the ones held by other players. With that, when you place bets, the dealer will not mistake your bets for other people.
NB: The casino may have different colours of chips for different bet limits and ranges. Remember this while approaching a dealer for chips.
2. The Scoop: You must have noticed the dealer uses a long stick with a scoop at the tip to sweep out chips from the table. That stick is called a scoop.
3. The Ball: This is also called the Pills. This ball is usually white in colour and can come in different sizes.
Some of them are ¾ or 5/8 inches in size. There are casinos that use pills of 3/8, ½, or 7/16 inches.
4. Roulette Wheel: This is of two types: the American Wheel and the French or European Wheel. There is no difference between these wheels except for their number of contents.
The American wheel: This type of wheel has 38 numbered pockets, where the ball can fall into after spinning. These pockets are numbered 1 to 36 and then 0 and 00.
The pockets of these numbers, except for 0 and 00, are coloured either red or black. Actually, each alternating pocket is either red or black. That is, colours are arranged as red, black, red, black, and so on.
For instance, the pocket containing number 5 is coloured red while the one bearing number 24, which is beside it, is black. This is how the pattern continued until the cycle is completed. Note that the numbers are not arranged serially.
They are arranged in such a way that odd numbers and even numbers are alternated. This pattern is not fully observed in all cases though.
But just remember that the numbers on the wheel are not arranged in sequence.
Furthermore, numbers 0 and 00 are painted green on the wheel. They are also placed opposite each other.
The European or French Wheel: The only difference between the American Roulette Wheel and the European or French Roulette Wheel is that while the American wheel has 38 numbered pockets, the European or French wheel has only 37.
The reason for this discrepancy is simply because, whereas the American wheel has ‘0’ and ‘00’, the European wheel has only ‘0’. It does not contain ‘00’. Other than that, all other features are the same in the two wheels.
5. The Roulette Scoreboard: This is not commonly found in all the casinos but you shouldn’t be surprised if you see one on the roulette table.
The scoreboard is used to display the result of the game. The players are told, through the scoreboard, where the ball landed.
6. Video Screen: This is used to show you how the ball is spinning around the wheel and when it finally lands into a pocket to decide winners and losers.
The availability of this video screen for the roulette game makes it unnecessary for players to peep into the wheel box to see how the ball rolls and where it lands.
With the video screen, players are discouraged from disrupting the ball spin and/or manipulating its landing.
Besides, watching the action taking place on the wheel will give players the same excitement they have when they stare directly into the wheel.
7. Roulette Table Layout: Ok, time to explain those colourful patterns and shapes you see on the roulette table layout.
Now, you must have noticed the table contains shapes coloured red or black. You must have also noticed the green parts for the ‘0’ and ‘00’ in the American roulette layout and the green single ‘0’ in the European or French roulette table layout.
Each table layout corresponds with the type of wheel it has. However, the table is used for placing bets.
So what you see people doing at the table is wagering. In the next section, you will understand all you need to know about placing bets at the roulette table.
Types of Bets
So, here we are. It is time to find out the different kinds of bets you will find in the roulette game.
You must have realised by now that the game is more about betting because, technically, the only job you have to do is to place bets. You don’t spin the wheel.
Besides, your bets are the only power you have to determine whether you will lose or win.
As a result, you need to find out the different types of bets in the game so you can make the right choices at the table.
Remember, as a beginner, you should start by betting low. When you become a pro, you can move the bets higher.
One more thing, bet to have fun and not to make money. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with making money out of your bets but don’t have high expectations over the bets because that will kill the whole fun of the game and make you desperate (and frustrated too).
Anyway, here are the basic types of bets in roulette games.
A. Inside Bets: This is the bet you place directly on one or more of the numbers on the roulette layout. They are bets placed inside the big rectangle that contains these numbers.
There are many bets under the inside bets, all of which bets on the numbers, that is, numbers 1 to 36, contained within the big rectangle. The types of inside bets you should try include:
a.The Straight Up Bets: These are bets placed directly on any of the numbers within the rectangle. If the ball lands on any of the numbers wagered after spinning, you will win. If not, you will lose.
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For instance, if you bet straight up on 1, 2, 4 and 5, and the ball lands on 2, you will win. But if the ball lands on 7, you will lose because you did not bet on the number. Payout in straight up bets, if you win, is 35 to 1.
That is, you will receive 35 times the amount you wagered. So, if your bet is $1, you will be paid $35 if your bet wins. This bet is also known as ‘En Plein’ in French.
NB: Remember to place the chip(s) used for this bet directly on the number(s) you are wagering.
A little shift of the chip to the left or right may mean another type of bet. You will find out more about this later.
b.The Split Bet: This is also known as ‘A Cheval’ in French. Here, you place your bet on two adjacent numbers with just a chip to indicate that either of the numbers will be the outcome of the next spin.
To achieve this, you have to place the chip on the line between the two numbers.
For instance, if you want to bet on 16 and 19, you have to place the chip on the horizontal line demarcating 16 and 19. In this case, if the ball lands on any of 16 or 19, you will win.
The advantage of this bet has over a straight-up bet is that you can bet on two numbers with one chip and save your limited budget.
Just make sure the chip lies on the line demarcating the two numbers you are wagering. Here, if you win, your payout is 17 to 1.
c.The Street Bet: This is also known as ‘Three Number Bet’, ‘Trio Bet’, or ‘Side Bet’. In French, it is known as ‘Transversale Plein’.
Here, you place odds on three numbers with a chip. This bet is only done by betting on a row. To do this, you have to place the chip on the front border of the row.
For instance, if you want to bet on the numbers on the second row of the layout (that is, 4, 5, 6), you have to place a chip on the vertical line in front of 4. The payout for this bet, if any of the numbers on the row is landed, is 17 to 1.
d.The Corner Bet: This bet is also known as the ‘Four Number Bet’ or the ‘Square Bet’. In French, it is called ‘Corre’.
In this type of bet, you place odds on four numbers with a chip to show you believe one of the four numbers will win the next roll. For this bet to be valid, the chosen numbers must form a square.
For instance, you can bet that any of 1, 2, 4, 5 or 2, 3, 5, 6 being the next outcome in Corner Bet, but you can’t bet on 1, 2, 3, 4 or 1, 2, 5, 6, because the numbers do not form a square on the layout.
The reason you have to bet only the numbers that form a square is that you have to place a chip on the point of intersection that connected the four numbers. If you win this bet, your payout is 8 to 1.
e. The Five Number Bet: This bet is also known as ‘The Beast’, ‘The Mother-in-Law’, or ‘The Monster’. It is only placed on American roulette layout.
This bet is placed only on numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 as a group. If you win here, your payout is 6 to 1. To place this bet, place the chips directly on all of the numbers.
f.The Line Bet: This is also called ‘Six Number Bet’ or ‘Sixline Bet’. In French, it is known as ‘Sixain’. As the name suggests, this is the type of inside bet that allows you to bet on six different numbers with two chips but one wager.
This bet is almost similar to Street Bet except that, here, instead of placing a chip at the border of a row of three numbers, you place two chips, one each, at the borders of the two rows. If any of the numbers is landed, your payout will be 5 to 1.
g.The Basket Bet: This type bets on four numbers as one but the numbers do not form a square. This bet is only wagered on 0, 1, 2, and 3. This is why it is also referred to as ‘First Four Bet’. The payout here is 6 to 1.
h. Snake Bet: As the name suggests, this bet take a snake-like pattern if chips are placed on the affected numbers. The wager is placed on 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34 as a group. If any of these numbers is landed, the payout is 2 to 1.
B. Outside Bets: As the name suggests, these bets are NOT placed within the margins of the main rectangle of the roulette table layout.
That means they are not placed on any numbers directly. Here, you place bets on colours and groups of numbers that share specific qualities.
You may refer to them as ‘Proposition Bets’. Like the inside bets, the outside bets also have different types.
a. Red or Black Bets: This bet, known as ‘Rouge et Noir’ in French, is where you wager that the outcome of the next wheel roll will be a number marked red or black, depending on the colour you wagered.
For instance, if you bet that the next outcome will be black and the ball landed on 8, you will win since the pocket containing number 8 is coloured black.
In this case, your payout will be even money, that is, 1 to 1. To wager this bet, place your chip on the colour you are betting on.
Remember, this is an outside bet, so the chip should be placed on the solid shape coloured black or red, which is located outside the perimeter of the numbers. Of course, the dealer is there to help you.
b.The Column Bet: This is called ‘Colonne’ in French. If you look at a roulette table, you will realise there are three columns that contain twelve numbers each.
For instance, the first column has numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34. If you want to wager the ball will land on any of the numbers on the 1st column on the next wheel roll, you have to place the Column Bet.
Hence, you are betting on twelve numbers that belong to a column.
Note that if the ball lands on 0 or 00, you will lose because they do not belong to any column. Place the chip at the end of the column and wish yourself luck. If you win, your payout is 2 to 1.
c.The Dozens Bet: This is called ‘Douzaine’ in French. If you look at the table, you will notice the numbers are divided into three sections of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd dozens labelled ‘1st 12’, ‘2nd 12’, and ‘3rd 12’.
This is not a column, mind you. ‘1st 12’ numbers 1 – 12, ‘2nd 12’ are numbers 13 – 24, and ‘3rd 12’ are numbers 25 – 36. Wagering on a dozen means you will win if the ball lands on any of the numbers it comprises.
Note that ‘0’ and ‘00’ are not parts of any dozen. To wager this bet, place your chip on the shape that is labelled “1st 12”, “2nd 12” or “3rd 12”, depending on what you want to bet on. The payout here is 2 to 1.
d. The Odd or Even Bet: This bet is used to wager that the next outcome will be an odd or an even number.
You wager this by placing your chip on the shape that is labelled “Odd” or “Even”, as the case may be. If you win, your payout is 1 to 1. Note that ‘0’ and ‘00’ do not belong to any of the groups.
e.The High or Low Bet: In roulette, the numbers contained on the wheel and table layout are broadly divided into high and low numbers. Numbers 1 – 18 are low numbers while numbers 19 – 36 are high numbers.
If you bet on any of these groups, you will win when the number belonging to the group is landed. Place your chip on any of the boxes labelled 1 – 18 or 19 – 36 to wager on any of the groups.
Remember that ‘0’ and ‘00’ are not members of any of these groups. Your payout here is 1 to 1 if you win.
NB: There is no better or worse bet but it is advisable to place odds on several numbers to have better chances at winning.
Nevertheless, in order to stretch your budget, go for bets that wager on several numbers with just a chip.
Steps to Playing Roulettes
You must have confirmed by now that roulette is all about placing bets and allowing the ball to decide. But, you need to know the steps to playing the game. So, here we are.
1. Set a budget. This is so important. Decide how much you are going to spend before heading to that casino. Make sure you budget the amount you won’t mind losing.
2.Choose a table. Every table has maximum and minimum wagering limits. For that, go for the table that accepts wagers within your budget.
3. Buy your chips. This is usually done at the table. Signal the dealer that you want to buy chips, hand over your money, and collect your chips. Remember to keep your chips in front of you.
4. Place your bets. You already know the types of bets to place. So, go ahead and do it. Remember the dealer is there to help.
One more thing, observe how other players place their chips as they wager, it will help you to do the same.
5. Stop betting. Be at alert for when the dealer will ask the players to stop betting so you too will stop on time.
If you don’t, the odds you placed thereafter will become invalid and your chips may be swept away. So, save your chips for the latter.
6. The wheel begins to roll. This is where you wait for the ball to smile or frown at you. This is where we wish you the best of luck.
7. The croupier announces the outcome. If there is a scoreboard, it will show you the result. If there is a video screen, you will see the whole thing.
But, assuming those two weren’t there, the dealer (that’s the croupier) will announce the outcome and place a puck on the winning number and then sweep off chips from lost bets.
8. Receive your prize. That is if you won.
9. Start betting again. Another round starts the moment the puck is removed from the table.
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Conclusion
As you can see, Roulette is one of the best games any casino has to offer. It is both exciting and easy to play.
All you have to do is place the bets, sit back, laugh with other players, and wait for the ball to decide. What is more? You don’t have to be an expert to play this game.
There is no secret strategy to winning the game.
However, if you want to win at every round, place odds on several numbers with just one chip. The payout may not be much but you will have your money back.
Now you have learned how to play Roulette, you may register on any of these legit online casinos to test your skills.
