Roulette is one of the oldest casino games and still continues to offer glamour and excitement for casino-goers all over the world. While the game has a relatively low following in the United States compared to slot machines, video poker, blackjack and craps, it is a popular casino staple in Europe. It is especially popular in Monte Carlo and other European resorts.
The basic rules of the game are simple enough for a novice to grasp, but the game provides an extraordinary depth for serious players and requires careful study in order to win. The betting combinations are very numerous, all of which have different odds for winning and payouts for winning bets. The game is played on a rotating wheel with numbered slots and players place bets on what number, section or color the ball will land in.
When playing roulette it is important to understand the house edge and how it affects your chances of winning. The range is not as wide as in craps, but the house edge can vary from 2.63 percent to 7.89 percent on American double-zero wheels and 1.35 to 2.70 percent on European single-zero wheels.
Each roulette table carries a placard with the minimum and maximum bets allowed. When the table is cleared of losing bets and a winner is declared, the dealer places a marker on the winning number (or chips) and begins the next round of betting.
Once you are ready to play, start with small bets and work your way up to larger ones. Outside bets are easier to hit than inside bets and tend to pay off more often. If you do win a bet, be sure to cash in your chips as soon as the game is between decisions. This will prevent you from using your winnings to make future bets.
Announced bets are special betting combinations that are only available on certain roulette tables and not all of them. These bets are most common on French Roulette but also appear in some online European Roulette variants. It is important to know how these bets work because they can greatly increase your chances of winning and help you get the most out of this popular casino game.