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In terms of casino classics, Roulette is right up there. But do you know how a game of Roulette works and the rules behind it?
It doesn’t matter if you’re playing at a land-based casino or a casino online, it’s essential to understand the rules of Roulette before you join a game. Follow us as we break down the rules of this popular casino game below.
Understanding the basics of Roulette
Before we get into the specifics of the rules, first let’s run through the core components of a Roulette game.
At the centre of gameplay is the Roulette wheel, with numbered pockets alternating between red and black as well as a green zero. On a European wheel, there are 37 pockets – numbered zero-36 – but if you’re playing with an American Roulette wheel, there’s an extra pocket to take into account, the double zero.
The other main component of a game of Roulette is the table layout, which presents all the potential wagers to players. The design features three central columns of numbers, as well as additional boxes and areas that mark out options such as odd/even, red/black or different dozens.
In a game played with a physical table, players will place their counters in specific positions to show their wager, from setting them in a specific square to the intersections of different squares.
The core rules of Roulette
At its heart, Roulette has very straightforward rules. At the start of the game, all players will place their counters on the table layout, showing what result they are wagering on.
Once all wagers have been placed, the croupier will spin the Roulette wheel – at which point no additional wagers are allowed. With the wheel in motion, they will roll the ball around its rim in the opposite direction.
Now players wait to see where the ball will stop once it loses momentum, determining the outcome of the game. When the ball comes to a halt the croupier will announce the result and payouts are made in line with the game’s stated odds.
Types of Roulette bets
One particularly important area of Roulette to understand is the various betting options it offers. These are divided into two categories – inside and outside bets – related to their position on the table layout.
Inside bets are placed either on individual numbers or small clusters of numbers – such as a row of three consecutive numbers. These carry lower odds but offer higher payouts relative to outside bets.
Outside bets are placed on wider pocket characteristics, like the colour of the pocket or whether the number is odd or even. As these bets cover more potential pockets, they have higher odds and lower payouts.
However, the exact odds and payouts vary between the different types of outside bets, so it’s essential to check the stated odds of your game.
While American and European Roulette have their differences their rules are by and large the same. Pay attention if the game you’re looking at is based on French Roulette, though, as this variety comes with some additional rules to understand.
