Roulette
Roulette is a wheel-based casino game that relies heavily on chance. In order to play, a large wheel with numbered slots rotating out from the center is placed on an axis. Roulette wheels have between 37 and 38 numbered slots, depending on whether the game is being played American or European style. American style games have 38 slots because they feature a zero, as well as a double zero. European games only have 37 slots because they do not feature a double zero. The numbered slots on the roulette wheel also feature a colored background of either black or red. The only exception is the zero and double zero slots, which are colored green.
Playing roulette differs in a few key aspects from other casino games. It is typically a slower game than other table games found throughout the casino. Roulette tends to attract a certain type of player that is looking for a more relaxing way to spend their time at the casino. In the same way that roulette has a specific type of player, roulette also has a specific set of rules that are different than other casino games. For example, roulette players need to know that they cannot use chips from elsewhere in the casino on the roulette board. All chips for roulette need to be purchased directly from the dealer, or croupier. Roulette chips are not marked with numerical values like the chips used elsewhere in casinos. Technically, unmarked chips are more historically accurate and the marked chips used in other games should more correctly be referred to as checks. Because of the unique chips used in roulette, all players need to remember to cash out before leaving the table. Due to the fact that the chips are unmarked, the changing table will not be able to prove how much each chip is worth.
After purchasing chips from the dealer, a roulette player places their intended wager on the layout next to the wheel. The layout is a large grid that features all the numbers on the wheel, as well as group bets. Some of the group bets that are possible are color bets, like red or black, or even or odd numbers. Group bets have a much higher probability that individual number bets. However, because of the advantage of group bets, they pay out proportionally much less than more risky bets. Group bets of different forms are typically called outside bets, while individual number bets are called inside bets. The terms for types of bets derive from their placement on the layout.
Wagers can only be placed on the layout before the croupier sets the wheel in motion. Typically, the dealer makes an announcement that betting has ended for that specific spin. In modern brick and mortar casinos, the surveillance team uses video cameras to ensure that players accurately follow the dealer’s announcement. Placing a bet after the dealer has announced the end of betting is called “past posting” and is highly illegal. Individuals who engage in past posting will be severely punished by the casino, and potentially asked never to return.
The excitement of a game of roulette derives from the spin of the wheel. Once all bets have been taken and the wheel is set in motion, all of the players wait anxiously for the ball to land in their chosen slot. Once the ball has completed its rotation, the dealer places a marker on the corresponding spot on the layout. He will place markers on both the inside and outside bets that won with the spin. After placing the markers, all of the losing wagers are cleared off the board. The winners of the spin are paid proportional to their wager and the odds of their chosen bet. After paying out to all the winners, the dealer begins preparing for a new game.
