Roulette (French, from the French word for little wheel) is a casino game where players place bets on a single number or various groupings of numbers. It is played on a wheel divided into numbered red and black spaces.
The roulette wheel is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape. Its rim is surrounded by metal partitions known as separators or frets, which are colored alternately red and black. The wheel is then turned by a spindle attached to the rim. The result of a spin is recorded on a paper tape that lays along the side of the wheel.
There are many betting combinations and, as such, the game has a large variety of winning opportunities. However, you need to understand that, as with most casino games, the odds of winning are not based on probability but on chance alone.
Bets in Roulette are classified as inside bets or outside bets, depending on where they are placed on the board. Inside bets are placed on a particular group of numbers, while outside bets cover a range of different positions.
Inside bets have lower payouts than outside bets. This is because they have a higher chance of being hit.
Outside bets are usually grouped in pairs or sets of numbers and offer higher payouts than individual digits. There are also special betting combinations called announced bets, most of which are featured in French Roulette but are also common on online European variants.
These bets have different odds for winning and pay a fixed amount of money if they win. For example, an odd-even bet pays 2-1, while a straight bet on the same number pays 3 to 1.
One of the most popular roulette bets is the Voisins du Zero. This is a 6-number bet that covers the numbers from 18 to 27 on the wheel.
The other is Le Tiers du Cylindre, which is a 12-number bet that covers the numbers from 27 to 33 on the wheel. This bet is located opposite to the Voisins du Zero and can be a good choice for those who want to play roulette without risking too much money.
To win at roulette, you need to follow simple rules and avoid using grandiose strategies. The main rule of thumb is to wager on outside bets first and then, when you are satisfied that your chances for a win are high enough, move on to the inside bets.
