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Roulette -- An Overview.

Roulette has long been one of the world’s most popular games of chance. Its origins are obscure, but it is known that certain games involving a spinning wheel and ball were played in 17th and 18th century Europe. There is some indication that European traders visiting China discovered a similarly played game and returned to Europe with the details that inspired Roulette’s creation.

Roulette, as it is more or less played today, began in the casinos of Paris approximately around the late 17th century.

The wheel featured a single zero colored red and a double zero colored black. At a later date and as of present day, zero and double zeros are colored green.

Roulette is played against the house by usually up to eight players. Each player is assigned specifically colored chips in order to avoid confusion with bets placed by other players. Each chip is imprinted with their specific values, and is replaced with the corresponding amounts in cash at the cashiers window by bettors at the end of their play.

The roulette table is laid out in a grid pattern of squares containing 37 numbers (European), or 38 numbers (U.S.). The numbers are colored red and black and correspond to the numbers on the roulette wheel. Bets are placed on single numbers or groups of numbers by placing chips up to the amount of the bet on the roulette table’s grid. After all bets are placed, the croupier announces “no more bets” and then spins the wheel.

BETTING - THE OUTSIDE BET

Even Money: A bet that pays off 1 to 1 – Includes high/low bets (1-18 or 19-36), color bets (black or red) and the odd or even bet – does not include zero or double zero.

Column Bet: To bet on any one of the three columns on a roulette table. Winning column bets pay 2-1. Chips for this kind of bet are placed on the bettor’s choice of the three boxes labeled 2-1.

Dozen Bet: Betting on a specific set of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24. or 25-36). Chips are placed on the box labeled 1st 12, 2nd 12 or 3rd 12.

BETTING - THE INSIDE BET

Inside bets are bets that are placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers. For example:

The Six Number Line Bet: This is a bet made on a block of six numbers - two rows – on the roulette table. Winning bets pay 5-1.

The Five Number Line Bet: This bet is made on blocks of five numbers, specifically; 1, 2, 3, zero and double zero.

The Square Bet: A bet made on blocks of four numbers. Winners are paid 8-1.

The Street Bet: A bet made on a row of three numbers. Winners are paid 11-1.

The Split Bet: Two numbers are bet that are next to each other on the table. Winners are paid 17-1.

The Straight Bet: Obviously, the most difficult to win bets or combinations of bets pay the highest. In this case, the straight bet, with the odds strongly in favor of the house pays 35-1.

EUROPEAN VERSUS AMERICAN ROULETTE

The primary – and most important difference – between American and European roulette is the fact that American roulette wheels feature a double zero, whereas European roulette wheels have only a single zero. This simple fact makes all the more reason as to why house odds are much more favorable in European casinos than playing roulette in the U.S.

Consider this; the double zero in U.S. casinos increases the house edge to an average of 5.26%, almost double the European casinos house edge of 2.7%. Additionally, European roulette features the “ la partage “ rule, in effect, lowering the house edge even further, to 1.35%, meaning players will only lose half of their bets - on outside bets – if the ball lands on zero.

In summation, a word to the wise for the roulette player. Always play European roulette. Some American casinos offer European roulette, and a few – very few – online casinos have this option.