Roulette Rules

Roulette is a game of European origin that still remains largely popular in Europe.  Internationally speaking, it is one of the most popular gambling games in the casino.  And although the game does not afford one of the lowest House Edges for its best bet, it nonetheless remains the game of choice for many players.  In actuality, the lowest House Edge for initial bets at the roulette table is approximately 2.6%, which is not that bad at all, especially when compared to other bets in the casino.  There is also a situation at some roulette tables (called en prison) that will return a House Edge of approximately 1.35%.  Be advised that the Single Zero European version of the game gives the lowest casino advantage, as opposed to the American version, which offers a 5.3% House Edge.  That being said, even though there is no strategy that will lower the House Edge at roulette, the game still affords good chances at winning bets and having a good time.  Perhaps it is the activity of the game that draws players.  The action around the table itself is quite laid back, and the speed of play is rather slow.  And although the online casino experience is sped up a bit - thanks to a faster and shorter spinning wheel programmed into the software - it is exciting to wait for the winning number.  Again, aside from ill-founded rumors regarding fixed wheels, perhaps it is the inherent trust the game gives players, owing to its mass appeal.  Everything happens directly in view of the player at the roulette table, as opposed to a deck of unexposed cards, which will always inherently never reveal everything that is taking place.

The way the game operates is rather simple - Bets are placed and a ball is dispersed into a spinning wheel.  Depending on what number the ball rests, bets are won or lost accordingly.  Therefore, the two factors a player needs to be familiar with are the layout of the table itself and the different kinds of bets that can me made.  Beginning with the table, three columns intersecting with three rows take up the bulk of the playing space.  The resultant boxes are numbered 1 through 36, each box alternately colored red and black.  (Incidentally, these numbers correspond to the amount of numbered slots in the roulette wheel as well) Within these boxes and on the lines separating them are where inside bets (straight up, street, corner, split, five-number and line) are placed.  All other areas on the table are commonly referred to as outside bets.  Flanking the left side of the numbered columns will be either one or two boxes with a 0 and/or 00, depending on whether the table is a European or American version.  Flanking the right side of the numbered columns are three boxes (one for each column) labeled "2 to 1".  This is where column bets are placed, which as the boxes imply, pay 2 to 1 odds on winners.  Flanking the first column of numbers nearest the player are three adjacent boxes labeled "1st 12", "2nd 12" and "3rd 12".  These boxes are where the wagers called dozens are made.  The remaining column of six boxes at the immediate front of the table correspond in pairs.  The two most outside boxes labeled "1 to 18" and "19 to 36" are referred to as Low or High Bets. Immediately to the inside of these boxes are two boxes labeled "Even" and "Odd".  As the names imply, this is where even bets and odd bets are made.  The two centermost boxes are marked with the words "Red" and "Black" with their corresponding color.  This is where chips for the Red or Black Bets are placed.

Such is the format of the roulette table.  In the table above, all boxes are printed horizontally so they can be easily read.  (The boxes in a true table will be printed horizontally and vertically).  However, the shape of the table does not change. 

Types of Bets

Inside Bets:
A. Straight Bets: Betting that one particular number on the wheel will come up. This is done by placing a chip on top of the number’s square on which a player wants to bet. The payout for this bet is 35:1.
B. Split Bets: Betting that one of two numbers that are adjacent on the table will win. A player places their chips on the line that separates the two numbers and wins if the ball lands on either two numbers. The payout is 17:1.
C. Street Bets (Trio or Three Number Bets): Betting that any number in a particular row will come up. This bet is made by placing the chips on the outside line of the row on which one wants to bet. If any of the numbers in the row come up, the bet is a winner and the player is paid out 11:1.
D. Corner Bets (Square or Four Number Bets): A bet that one of a group of four numbers will come up in the next spin. The numbers are all touching on the table and the player places the chip in the central point of the four numbers. If any of the four numbers comes up, the player is paid 8:1.
E. Five Number Bets (American roulette only): A bet that either the 0, 00, 1, 2 or 3 will win. This bet is done by placing a chip on the outside line the separates the 0 and 1. If any of these numbers come up, the player is paid 6:1. Note that on the European roulette table layout, E is a four number bet and is paid out 8:1.
F. Six Line Bets: A bet that one of six numbers on two adjacent rows will come up in the next spin. The chip is placed in between two rows on the outside line and a player is paid out 6:1 if any of the numbers come up.

Outside Bets:
G. Column Bet: A bet that a number in a specific column will be spun and is made by placing the chip at the bottom of the desired column where it is marked “2-1”. The player is paid out 2:1.
H. Dozen Bet: A bet that divides the table into three sections: 1-12; 13-24; 25-36. This bet is made by placing chips in one of the three boxes titled “1st 12”; “2nd 12” or “3rd 12”. The player is paid out 2:1.
I. Red Bet: Betting that the next number to come up will be red. This bet is played by placing a chip on the ‘Red’ box and if a red number comes up, the player is paid 1:1.
I. Black Bet: Betting that the next number to come up will be black. This bet is played by placing a chip on the ‘Black’ box and if a black number comes up, the player is paid 1:1.
J. Even Bet: Betting that the next number to come up will be even. This bet is played by placing a chip on the ‘Even’ box and if an even number comes up, the player is paid 1:1. This bet does not include the 0 or 00 numbers.
J. Odd Bet: Betting that the next number to come up will be odd. This bet is played by placing a chip on the ‘Odd’ box and if an odd number comes up, the player is paid 1:1.
K. High Bet: A bet that the next number to come up will be between 19-36. This bet is made by placing chips in the “High” box and if the number comes up, it pays 1:1.
K. Low Bet: A bet that the next number to come up will be between 1-18. This bet is made by placing chips in the “Low” box and if the number comes up, it pays 1:1.