Roulette is a captivating and entertaining casino game whose name was borne from the French word for “little wheel.” Its roots date back to the 17th century when Greek and Roman soldiers played it. The roulette game as we know it today started taking shape in 1655. The French mathematician Blaise Pascal was the brains behind creating the first wheel. It was still very primitive, but the wheel began taking shape. 1842, the single zero version was introduced, significantly reducing the house edge.
Nowadays, our choices are endless. You can play online at Betswap for convenience and instant access, or, if you prefer, it is still a top game offered on many land-based casino floors. There are also numerous versions, wagering limits, and winning potential.
How to Play Roulette
It is immensely popular among all types of players, from newbies to players with cautious budgets to high rollers. It is partly down to the easy rules and multiple betting options. You have one aim in this game. That is to predict where the little ball will land on the wheel and place your stakes on the outcome.
The wheel can consist of 37 or 38 pockets that alternate red and black. With European roulette, there’s one zero, which has a green pocket. With American Roulette, there are two zeros, a single and a double, also green.
In front of you, you’ll find the betting table. Made of felt, each player who has taken a seat will have to position their chips on the squares on the table and place their bets. This also means there are limited seats, and once there’s no more space, you’ll have to find another empty table.
It is also felt online, but instead of manually placing your chips, you use virtual ones. Whichever way you play, you can bet on various outcomes like straight-up single numbers, red or black, odds or evens, and blocks of columns, lines, or corner bets.
Once the dealer closes the round, your bets must be in. Otherwise, you must wait for the next one. The dealer sets about spinning the giant wheel. Once it lands in one of the pockets, if you’ve got a winner, you’ll receive any due winnings.
Inside Bets in Roulette
We want to highlight the various inside bets and the standard payouts.
- Straight-Up Bet: A bet placed on any of the 36 single numbers, offering a payout of 35:1.
- Split Bet: Placed on two numbers next to each other. The chip must be placed in the middle of the two numbers with payouts of 17:1.
- Street Bet: Here, you can bet on three numbers in a row. Place the chip at the number on the bottom, covering the three numbers and payouts of 11:1.
- Corner (Square) Bet: You can stake on four numbers with this bet, creating a square. Place your chip right in the middle of the four numbers with an 8:1 payout.
- Line Bet: A bet on six numbers consisting of two rows is known as a Line Bet. Place the chips at the top between the two desired lines with a 5:1 payout.
Outside Bets in Roulette
Outside bets are a top choice. They have lower payouts but are less challenging to land and win.
- Red/Black: Choose your colour by placing your chip on it. Winning bets payout 1:1.
- Odds/Even: Similar to red or black, except you choose from odds or even this time. It also pays 1:1.
- High/Low: Betting on which range of numbers the ball lands upon. The lower range of numbers is from 1 to 18, and the higher ones are from 19 to 36. It also provides a 1:1 payout.
- Dozens Bet: Here, you can wager on one of three number sets. These are 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36. It provides a 2:1 payout.
- Column Bet: Wager on one of the three vertical columns of numbers with a 2:1 payout.
Why Roulette Is Popular
Roulette’s popularity stems from its easy gameplay, which requires no prior experience, making it perfect for beginners. For players with more experience, the thrill of the big win potential keeps them returning.
Part of the fun aspects of roulette is the thrill of chance. Watching that ball spin round and round as you wait for it to drop creates suspense and thrills in equal measure. It also has many betting options. This means you can play at riskier but higher payout stakes or stick to lower-value payouts more frequently.
If you have ever stepped inside a casino, it is an incredible social experience buzzing with excitement. You can join a table with other players, and there’s always a bit of banter, creating an entertaining experience. If you prefer to play a live online version, you’ll stay and play alongside others and the human dealer running the show. It still offers an exciting experience no matter where you choose to play.
Different Types of Roulette
Let’s examine the version of roulette so you can see how the game differs in gameplay and payouts as follows:
- European Roulette: This is the most played option. It features 37 pockets, including a single zero. It has more favourable odds than other variants, with the house edge around 2.7%. It increases your odds and possible longer-term winning results.
- American Roulette: The American version has 38 pockets with two zeros: a single 0 and a double 00. The house edge, though, is much higher, at 5.26%, which will lower your winning chances over time.
- French Roulette: This version is more challenging to locate as not all casinos offer it. It has unique En Prison and La Partage rules, which reduce the house edge to only 1.35%. Therefore, it provides the best winning potential over the long term.
Are you ready to try the game? It has easy-to-play rules, and the thrill and anticipation make it a top gaming choice. Its many choices of bets to place, social aspects, and various variations mean you can mix it up by playing online or land-based and experience all the fun it brings.
Enjoy roulette’s excitement and try your luck at trusted online casinos like Betswap, or visit a nearby gaming venue!