How to Play Roulette
by Ernie Elwell
Rules of the game:
This article is designed to help you understand the rules of Roulette and how to play. For tips showing how to win at Roulette, please click this link showing an online roulette strategy.
Note: If you visit real world casinos rather than playing online then the roulette rules are the same except the casino is represented by the croupier who spins the ball and deals with the bets. When playing in the real world you must buy colored chips to play with so that bets don't get mixed up on the table as each player has a different color. Once you have finished playing you can change them back again. These are the only rules that differ from playing online.
Playing Online
From now on in this article all the roulette rules apply to whether you are playing at a real world casino, or at an online version. There's no pictures on this page because I am assuming you know what a roulette table looks like and have, at least, a very basic understanding of what the game is about.
The simplest objective of the game in Roulette is to pick a number from 0 to 36 and if you choose the right number you win. The roulette wheel has 37 slots that the ball can drop into from numbers 0 through to 36. In it's simplest form, to make your bet you place your chips on any numbers you like (including zero) and hope you pick the right one.
To make the game more interesting there are many variations to this bet you can stake your money on.
The House Advantage
Nearly all online casinos have just one zero. Don't play on two zero tables because the house advantage gains significantly. However, assuming you are playing a single zero table then the house advantage is 2.7%. This is reduced with most casinos (but not all) if you play outside the numbers area (i.e. red/black, odds/evens, and high/low). In this case when zero drops in you only lose half your stake, the other half is returned to you. Or sometimes you will neither win nor lose and your stake is left on the table for you to do with as you please.
These roulette rules cut the casino advantage in half and so there is only a 1.35% house advantage
The Payouts:
A winning stake on any one single number pays 35 to 1 (this is when the chip is placed in the center of any given numbers' box).
A winning stake on any two-numbers pays 17 to 1 (this is when the chip is placed half and half between two different side by side numbers).
A three-number bet pays 11 to 1. A four-number bet pays 8 to 1. A six-number bet pays 5 to 1. A bet on the outside dozen or column pays 2 to 1. A bet on the outside even money bets pays 1 to 1.
That's basically it. The best way to learn is just to play and you'll soon get the hang of it. You don't have to play for real money if you're playing online - so why not have a go just for the fun of it.
Good luck!
Ernie Elwell
See also:
Free Roulette Strategy, Free Blackjack Strategy
and Free Video Poker Strategy
Best Online Casinos - Independent Review
© Copyright 2005 Ernie Elwell - All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The roulette rules listed do not represent any solicitations to playing roulette or casino gambling. Check your local, state and national government laws before gambling online. We are not liable or responsible for any illegal activities or for any monies gained or lost from any of these roulette rules or the online casinos listed above. . Terms And Conditions Of Use, Money Making Ideas...Fast and Easy Business Opportunities!