Roulette offers glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers, and it can be a very lucrative game for those who know how to play. However, it is important to understand the odds and rules of the game before betting any money. While there are a lot of different strategies, most of them involve betting on either a single number or various groupings of numbers such as red/black, odd/even, high/low and dozens.
While the house edge in roulette is 2.70% with the “La Partage” rule, it is lower at 1.35% without it. The La Partage rule works by dividing all even-money bets in half, keeping half for the house and giving the other half back to the player. This significantly reduces the house edge, and it is recommended that players take advantage of this rule whenever possible.
When you sit down to play roulette, set a budget before starting. Then choose a table within your budget and make sure you stick to it. It is also a good idea to only place bets that you can afford to lose. Avoid dipping into winning bets or trying to “beat” the other players, as this will only waste your money and probably result in you losing more than you’re winning.
Each roulette table has a placard that lists the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Each bet type has its own payout and odds. Inside bets include straight-up, split, street, corner and six-line bets. Outside bets include red/black, high/low, dozens and column bets. Generally, inside bets have higher payouts than outside bets.
After the dealer clears the table of the previous round, you can start placing your bets. It’s best to begin by placing bets on groups of numbers rather than individual digits, as these bets tend to have a lower risk and a higher chance of hitting.
Once you’ve placed your bets, the dealer will spin the wheel. When the ball lands on your number, you will win. The dealer will then pay you your winnings.
The most common mistakes made by roulette players are over-betting or under-betting. Over-betting results in large losses while under-betting leads to small wins. The best way to prevent these mistakes is to practice your strategy at home before playing in a live casino. Also, avoid putting your chips on the same vertices of a four-number bet (i.e., 10, 11, 13 and 14). This bet type has the worst odds in roulette and should only be placed if you’re comfortable with it. If you’re not, you should consider a different bet type. If you have any questions, you can always ask your croupier for assistance. Lastly, avoid watching the other players while playing – this will only distract you and possibly cause you to make a bad decision. Good luck!