Roullete is a casino game with a simple enough design to appeal to beginners but with a depth of strategy that can reward more experienced players. It is a common fixture in casinos around the world and offers glamour, mystery and excitement to players of all skill levels.
The roulette wheel is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with a rim and a number of metal compartments or pockets. Thirty-six of these compartments, painted alternately red and black (or alternately coloured if you play at a French or European wheel), are numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. In addition, there are two green compartments labeled 0 and 00 on American-style wheels.
After each round of betting, the croupier spins the wheel and a ball is rolled into one of the pockets. The pocket into which the ball settles determines the winning number. The croupier then clears losing bets off the table and pays out winners according to the payout table. Then, the croupier begins another round of betting and spinning the wheel.
Before you start betting, decide what your budget for each game is and stick to it. Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Generally, a high-level bet such as a straight up costs more than low-level bets. In the event that you win a bet, don’t dip into your winnings for future bets; this will reduce your chances of hitting another jackpot. It is also a good idea to avoid watching other players, as this won’t increase your odds any more than randomly guessing. When you place your chips on the table, give them to the dealer by placing your money on the table and asking for “colour”; she will then give you coloured roulette chips of a value equal to the table’s minimum bet.