HOW TO PLAY ROULETTE
If you’re a beginner or you’ve been around the wheel a few times, it’s key to know that roulette is really a game of pure chance. And you don’t need to be intimidated. So, let’s take a spin through game play, shall we?
The Object of the Game
The object of the game is to guess where the ball will land on the wheel, by placing bets on the table.
PARTS OF THE GAME
We’re gonna break it down for you. Roulette is all about the wheel, the table, the chips, and the dealer.
THE ROULETTE WHEEL
The wheel has 38 numbered slots (1-36), plus two green slots with “0” and “00”.
WHEEL FACTS:
- The numbers alternate in colour and are arranged randomly, not in a pattern
- Wheels are inspected frequently to ensure perfect alignment and no bias
THE ROULETTE TABLE
The roulette table has two main areas, an inside area for placing bets on numbers, and an outside area for placing bets on possible outcomes like odd/even or red/black, etc. Each spot on the table corresponds with a different payout level.
ROULETTE CHIPS
Unlike any other game in the casino, roulette has its own unique set of chips that players set a dollar value to.
Each roulette table also has its own set of chips that cannot be used at any other roulette table in the casino.
Meet the Croupier
The croupier is the roulette dealer who facilitates game play. They:
- Convert your money into roulette chips
- Help you place your chips on the table
- Spin the wheel and ball into play
- Announce the winning number and colour of the pocket where the ball landed
- Pay out any winning bets and take losing bets
Tip
Ask the croupier questions if you don’t know what’s happening. They are full of knowledge and are there to help you.
How to Play Roulette in 5 Steps
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1Find the right table for your play budget (based on chip or table minimums).
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2Purchase chips from the croupier (dealer).
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3Place your bets (roulette chips) on your preferred spot on the table before the croupier says, “No more bets”.
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4The ball lands in a pocket on the wheel and the croupier announces the winning number, colour and whether it’s an odd or even number.
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5The croupier sweeps in the losing chips, pays out the winning bets, and lifts a clear plastic piece from the table, known as the “dolly” signaling the start of the next round.
Getting Started
Make a Play Budget
It can be pretty easy to get swept up in all the excitement of roulette, so it’s always a good idea to decide on a budget before you play:
Plan how much you want to spend and bring it in cash. Think of it as your entertainment budget for the night, like money you’d set aside for dinner and a movie.
You may want to also set a win limit for yourself – the point at which you plan to walk away, even if you’re on a winning streak.
How to Choose a Roulette Table
Each roulette table has its own specific table minimum, which is the minimum dollar amount for every round you play. So be sure to choose one that suits your budget.
You must place the full minimum bet on either the inside or the outside – you can’t split it between the two. For example, if the minimum bet is $5, you can’t bet $3 on the inside and $2 on the outside.
On outside bets, you must put the table minimum on one individual wager (spot). But on the inside, you can spread bets across different numbers.
Buying Roulette Chips
Each roulette table has its own specially marked chips that can only be played at that table.
First, choose a specific colour of chips, so the croupier can keep track of everyone’s bets.
Second, select a dollar value for your chips, which could be as low as $1 per chip, or as high as $100 per chip.
Tip
There is no actual dollar amount on roulette chips because the chips don’t have value until you buy in. This makes it really easy to spend your money fast – because it doesn’t actually feel like money.
Tip
Be sure to cash out your roulette chips at the table you’ve played before you leave Once you leave the roulette table, the chips cannot be converted to regular casino chips or used elsewhere in the casino.
Placing Bets
There are two ways to bet in roulette - by placing chips on either the inside or the outside sections on the table. There are a number of betting options within each section.
Inside Bets Area
Inside bets are placed on the number on the table that corresponds with the number on the wheel you think the ball will land on.
Outside Bets Area
Outside bets are placed on the table based on other possible wheel outcomes, such as odd-even numbers, red or black slots, etc.
ROULETTE VARIATIONS
One of the more popular games in any casino, roulette has generated a few variations, including interactive video versions with automatic spins and betting options.
European Roulette
While the American version of roulette is considered the world standard, the game was famously invented in Europe. This version’s unique wheel features and betting options make for an interesting alternative still offered in many casinos.
Rapid Roulette
Rapid Roulette speeds up the action of traditional roulette with scheduled spins and interactive video terminals. Bets are placed on individual screens, while a big screen shows the wheel spin for all players.
What Happens if You Win
First of all, congratulations! Bask in that glory! While you’re celebrating, remember that the table is “frozen”, meaning you can’t touch your chips until the croupier is finished paying out to all the winners.
Tip
Croupiers do a lot of mental math and in rare cases they can make mistakes when calculating payouts. You may want to memorize or even write down the various payouts so you can confirm that you were paid the correct amount.
Cashing Out
Cashing Out
Feel like playing at another table? Reached your play budget for the night or ready for a break? At the end of the round, let the croupier know you’re done and they’ll exchange your roulette chips for regular casino chips.
Tip
Don’t forget to cash out at your table before you walk away! Later on, the croupier may not be able to recall the value you set your chips at. And remember that you can only cash out roulette chips at the table where they are from; you can’t cash out roulette chips at the cage.
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