Roulette is one of the world’s most popular casino games, with its iconic numbered wheel and simple rules. Founded entirely on luck, the game involves placing bets on a designated table and then watching as a small ball spins around and eventually settles into one of the numbered slots on the wheel. Once the number is determined, the player who has bet on that slot wins. The game is a popular choice at online and land-based casinos all over the world.
Roulette is a fun and exciting casino game with an interesting history. Though fanciful stories abound about its origins, most agree that it evolved from older games such as hoca and portique. It became the game we know and love today when a single zero pocket was added to the wheel in 1843 by French brothers Louis and Francois Blanc, giving it a massive boost in popularity.
Before betting, players must clear the table and place their chips on their desired numbers. Each roulette table carries a placard with the minimum and maximum bet amounts allowed. Once the dealer has cleared the winning bets, she will indicate how much each bet is worth and parcel out your new chips. The best way to maximize your winnings is to wager on the “outside” bets, which include groups of numbers instead of individual digits and have a higher probability of hitting.
European Roulette
In Europe, the game of roulette is played on a slightly convex wheel with thirty-six red and black numbered compartments arranged non-consecutively. A 37th compartment, painted green, carries the number 0; two additional pockets, on American wheels, are numbered 00, giving the house an edge over all outside bets.
The Odd or Even Bet (Passe et Manque in French)
Here you’re wagering that the ball will land on either the first or last 18 numbers (1-18), or the second or third dozen (19-36). The odds are 1-1, but if the ball lands on a 0, you lose.
This bet’s name comes from its symmetry with the other bets on the layout and is also known as the Dozens bet, or douzaine in French. You’re wagering that the winning number will be in the first 12 numbers on the layout, or the second or third dozen. Again, the 0 and 00 do not count, so this bet offers even money or a payout of 1-1. This is a popular bet amongst beginners and experts alike. However, this bet is not recommended for those with a limited bankroll as it can quickly deplete your funds. You may want to consider a smaller bet size, or try a variation such as en prison or la partage. These variations are not available at all casino sites, but can be found at some. These versions offer lower minimum bets and better winning probabilities. However, they still have a house edge over the original game.