Roulette is a casino game widely believed to have originated in France during the 18th century. Its name derives from the French term "little wheel." The game entails using a wheel comprised of numbered slots of alternating colors. Players place bets on the anticipated winning number as a ball is spun around the wheel. If the ball lands on a number bet by a player, they receive the corresponding payout. Initially, roulette featured a single zero on the wheel. However, in the 19th century, the introduction of a double zero in the United States gave rise to American roulette, distinct from the original French version, known as European roulette, due to the additional zero. Renowned for its simplicity and diverse array of betting options, roulette remains a favored choice among both novice and seasoned gamblers.
American Layout:
European Layout:
American and European Roulette layouts are identical aside from the zeros.
The layout is much different on the wheels compared to the table.
Types of bets:
- Straight-up bet: Betting on one number. Pays 35 to 1.
- Split bet: Betting on two adjacent numbers. Pays 17 to 1.
- Corner bet: Betting on four numbers forming a square. Pays 8 to 1.
- Basket bet: Betting on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Pays 6 to 1.
- Street bet: Betting on three numbers in a row. Pays 11 to 1.
- Double-street bet: Betting on two adjacent rows. Pays 5 to 1.
- Column bet: Betting on one of the columns of numbers. Pays 2 to 1.
- Dozen bet: Betting on one of the three groups of dozens. Pays 2 to 1.
- Even-money bet: Betting on Red-Black, Even-Odd, or High-Low. Pays 1 to 1.
Sectors & Neighbors:
The neighbors or sector bet presents a distinctive betting option commonly encountered at European Roulette tables. Unlike traditional bets based on table layout, sector bets rely on the positional arrangement of numbers on the wheel. There are four primary types of sector bets: Jeu Zero, Orphelins, Voisins du Zero, and Le Tiers du Cylindre. While the exact numbers and layout covered by these bets may vary across different casinos, they generally adhere to a consistent pattern. Below is an illustrative example of a betting layout and its corresponding arrangement on the wheel.
Jeu Zero – This bet covers 7 numbers: 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15. You place 1 unit straight-up on 26 and split the remaining 6 numbers with 3 units.
Orphelins – This bet covers two separate sections: 17 to 6 and 1 to 9. You place 1 unit straight-up on 1 and cover splits 6-9, 14-17, 17-20, and 31-34 with 4 units.
Voisins du Zero – This bet covers 17 numbers from 22 to 25. You place 2 units on 0, 2, and 3, 5 units split among 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 21, 19, 22, 32, and 35, and 2 units on a corner bet with 22, 26, 28, and 29.
Le Tiers du Cylindre – This bet covers 12 numbers from 27 to 33. You evenly split your bet among these numbers: 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36.
Neighbors – This bet involves choosing a number and betting on it and its 2 neighbors on either side. You place your bet by asking the dealer for the neighbors of your chosen number. For example, if you choose 17 and want to bet €100, you would say "Could I have the neighbors of 17 for €100." This places €20 straight-up bets on each of the 5 numbers: 2, 25, 17, 34, and 6.
Placing bets:
Betting is restricted to specific intervals during gameplay. You're unable to place bets until the dealer removes the dolly from the winning number. Once this action is completed, you're free to position your bets on the table as desired, or alternatively, request assistance from the dealer for placement. The dealer oversees the duration required for all participants to place their bets and, subsequently, initiates the ball spin in the opposite direction to the wheel's rotation. While the ball is in motion, betting remains permissible. However, as the ball nears its descent, the dealer will signal the conclusion of betting by sweeping their arm over the table and announcing "no more bets." Any bets placed subsequent to this announcement will not be honored.
Collecting winnings:
Upon the ball settling into a numbered slot, the dealer will position the dolly atop the winning number and proceed to distribute payouts for all successful bets. It's important to note that winnings cannot be collected until all bets have been settled. This precautionary measure prevents individuals from claiming unpaid winnings falsely. Once the dealer completes the payout process, they will retrieve the dolly, signaling that players may then collect their chips. To conclude your gaming session, simply inform the dealer of your intention to cease playing or request to "color up." The dealer will then gather your chips, tally the total amount, and exchange them for the highest denomination chips possible. These chips can be utilized in subsequent games or redeemed for cash at the casino cashier.