When you first start playing roulette, it can be tricky to know how to place your chips. This Lemons & Sevens guide to roulette for beginners will cover all of the rules and bet types you need to understand.
During the spin, players give their croupier money for colored roulette chips and then watch as the ball bounces around until it lands in one of the pockets on the wheel.
Origin
Roulette is a game of chance played on a table that has in the center a revolving, dish-like device called a roulette wheel into which a ball is spun and finally comes to rest in one of 38 (on European/Latin American tables) or 37 (on other tables) compartments marked off by red and black areas as well as numbers from 1 to 36. Before spinning the wheel, players place bets on what number will come up by laying down chips on a betting mat. The word roullete also refers to a wheel for perforating sheets of postage stamps.
The exact origin of roullete is unknown but there are several theories. Some people think that it was invented by 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Others believe that it originated in China and was brought to France by Dominican monks.
Variations
While the core of roulette remains the same, there are some minor variations that can boost the odds of winning and lower the house edge. Double Ball Roulette is one such variation, which uses a European Roulette layout with two balls instead of one. It offers the same types of bets, but payouts are less than with standard roulette games. Another variation, Key Bet Roulette, takes things a step further by adding additional betting options.
Bets
Whether you’re new to roulette or an experienced player, there are a variety of betting opportunities available. You’ll find all of them clearly marked on the roulette layout. Some of the most popular wagers include Street and Three Number Bets. These bets pay 17-1 if you make the right roulette prediction. The Split Bet is another option. This bet requires you to place your chips in a way that they straddle the line between two numbers on the grid. This bet pays 17-1 as well. Outside bets are more conservative plays that pay 2-1. They’re great for beginners because they offer a lower payout if you win.