Roulette

Roulette offers the greatest variety of possible ways you can wager. If you've never tried it, the game is easy to learn and we'll show you strategies that will help make you a winner. Remember that luck comes easier if you know what you're doing.

Even though there are 11 different kinds of bets, it is an easy game to play. The only skill required is deciding how much and on which number(s) to bet. Like in all gambling, if you ant to win at Roulette you must rely on both luck and strategy.

Roulette is played on a wheel having 38 compartments numbered 1 to 36, 0 and 00. The same numbers are printed on the table lay-out where wagers are placed. The number fields are alternately red and black, except 0 and 00 which are green. The numbers themselves alternate between high/low and odd/even, with the 0 directly opposite the 00. The wheel spins counter-clockwise while a little white ball rolls in the opposite direction. The ball drops into one of the slots and that is the winning number.

Look at the table layout carefully you'll see that there are "inside" and "outside" sections. You'll understand how "inside" and "outside" betting works after you've become familiar with the 11 different types of roulette bets you can make, along with their payoffs:

THE SIX INSIDE BETS:

One Number: Pays 35 to 1. Put your wager on any number from 1 to 36, or 0 and 00. Be sure your chips are inside the square and do not touch the line.
Two Numbers: Pays 17 to 1. Place your chip (or chips) on the line between two numbers. If either number comes up you win.
Three Numbers: Pays 11 to 1. To choose a row of 3 numbers position your bet on the line that separates the "inside" and "outside" areas.
Four Numbers: Pays 8 to 1. To make this bet, place your wager on a four-number intersection. You win if one of the four numbers is hit.
Five Numbers: Pays 6 to 1. Don't make this bet! It's the only one that gives the house an extra 2 ½% advantage!
Six Numbers: Pays 5 to 1. This bet is placed between two three-number rows on the line that divides the "inside" and "outside" fields.

 THE FIVE OUTSIDE BETS:

12-Number Column Bet: Pays 2 to 1. Put your wager in one of the spots marked "2-1" at the opposite end of zero and double zero.
12-Number Numerical Bet: Pays 2 to 1: Choose between 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd twelve. You're betting on numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36 respectively.
18 Numbers Red / Black. Pays 1 to 1. To make this wager, place your chip(s) on the red or black diamond.
18 Numbers Odd / Even: Pays 1 to 1. There are 18 of each. Take your pick.
18 Numbers High / Low: Pays 1 to 1. Will the winning number be between 1 to 18, or between 19 and 36?

If the minimum total wager is $5 and you are using $1 chips, you may place one or more in each of 5 different "inside" spots or bet all of them on one number, as long as the total adds up to the table minimum. You may cover as many inside numbers as you wish, as long as the total does not exceed the table maximum.

When making outside bets, you can not divide the table minimum over several fields. The whole amount must be placed as one wager on one decision. You may, of course, place more than one bet and/or bet more than the required minimum, but not more than the table maximum.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always quit when you have won as much as you set out to win - such as double your stake. Start cautiously, until you know exactly how the game works and you feel confident.

Tips, Tricks and Strategies

As one of the oldest gambling games dating back hundreds of years, roulette is often thought to simply a game of chance.  The game certainly relies on chance a great deal but there are also some tips, tricks and strategies that you can put into place in order to maximise your profits and minimise those losses.

What should be remembered is that there is never any set-in-stone certainty that you are going to win whether your game is poker, bingo, craps or roulette, and this relates to the online versions too. Gambling games are primarily for entertainment and enjoyment, the winning is an added bonus.

Know how much to bet, this should be an amount you can afford to lose. Controlling the temptation to go over your decided amount may be easier said than done, so it may be a wise move to limit the alcohol you are drinking and ask a friend to keep and check on you.

Remembering to stick to your limit and bank any profits over that limit is really important, that way you will not lose the game, and you can only draw even.  Keeping the money you win and playing with your original stake money is probably the one most important tip you can take on-board. 

If you are new to the game try a few free games first, to get the feel of what the game is all about. Some internet casinos offer online bonuses of free cash, and also allow you to keep your winnings (the percentage you are allowed to keep can vary.)

If you are given a choice between American and European roulette, go for the European version.  This is because the double 00 on the American table increases the casino's own profit margin, it also slightly decreases the odds of winning.  The house edge on a European wheel is 2.63% whilst it is double that when playing on an American wheel.

When playing roulette online check that the site is reputable, that it is licensed and that the random number generator (RNG) that is used is independently tested as true and fair.  This is common sense but worth mentioning as there are scams out there and you do not want to fall prey to a site that hides behind its small print.

The type of bet you use could also affect your luck. Some swear by sticking to the outside and keep their bets to red/black, high/low or odd/even which, supposedly, favours you with a better chance of not losing your cash, even if the return is only 1:1 the odds are that the wheel is going to go your way.

The fewer the numbers bet on the lower are your chances of a win.  The Martingale Strategy is one of the most popular strategies that is used, but this strategy relies on you having enough money to be able to double up each time you lose. The Martingale requires you to start by betting the minimum amount that your table allows.  Remember too that some tables have maximum amount so you might reach the maximum before you actually see a win.

Finally it's always a good policy to read up on all the strategies that you can and take a look at the layout of the table and wheel, being prepared can only help to enhance your time spent playing.

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The Black/ Red System

This is a simple game of colors. Black and Red. Because 1/2 of the numbers are red, and 1/2 black (minus of course the casino advantage of 0 of 00) a bet on a red or black number coming up has a 50-50 chance of winning. If you were able to accurately pick the correct color every-other spin, you would break even, minus 2 in every 38 spins ( for 0, 00 ). With this in mind, try the following:

Bet on a color. If you win, take your winning and leave your original bet for the next spin. Start at $1 and if things work bet more, such as $3 to $5, if you can afford it. Double your bet after a loss. If the next bet also loses, take the loss and start over again. As long as you win, collect your winnings and leave your original bet.

Switching colors will not change your odds of winning. Each color has the same chance of coming up on every spin. I have had sessions when I never lost more than three straight times, but I have also seen the wrong color come up 12 times in a row. You can play the same system using Odd/Even or High/Low.

The "Five Numbers" System

This strategy calls for straight-up inside bets where you get paid 35 to 1 if you win. You will place your bets on five individual numbers. Don't forget 0 and 00 are part of the inside numbers you can wager on.

Many people like to play birthdays, anniversaries or other favorite dates. Pick any five numbers, they all have the exact same chance of winning. Find a game where the minimum bet is no more than $5 and buy forty $1 chips ($40). If you limit yourself to relatively small stakes you can't get badly hurt. With this system you hope to get lucky two consecutive times. The winnings are nothing to sneeze at!

Start by placing one chip on each of your five chosen numbers. Repeat this same wager until you win, you have enough chips for eight tries. When the ball comes to rest on one of your numbers, you win 35 chips. Now it gets exciting!

Divide the 35 chips over your five number fields, seven on each. If you hit again the payoff will be 7 x 35 = $245.00!

At this point you could collect your winnings and quit -- the cash will cover many past or future losing sessions -- or you could risk 100 of the chips you've won by placing 20 on each of those same five numbers. If Lady Luck hasn't deserted you, you'll collect $700.00!

No matter what the outcome, this was your last spin. Smart gamblers know when to quit! Good Luck.