The Basics of Roulette

Roulette is a timeless casino classic revolving around pure chance, and is played widely online and at land-based casinos worldwide. Bettors make wagers on what number, section or color of wheel the ball will land in after being spun by a croupier; then begins betting process.

The game of roulette is played on a circular table featuring both a grid and ball track running along its outer edge. The grid consists of 36 red/black squares numbered 1 to 36 nonconsecutively; an unnumbered central compartment contains 0, 00, and 1 while 35 compartments or pockets painted alternately red and black are called compartments or pockets by croupiers; on European-style wheels there is also an additional 37th compartment that carries zero while American wheels contain two green ones.

Before the game begins, players place their chips on the table and a croupier spins the wheel. When it stops spinning, if their bet was successful they are rewarded according to their chances of winning.

Roulette is an immensely popular casino game, yet not nearly as widely played as video poker, blackjack or craps. More popular in Europe than in America and renowned at Monte Carlo casino resorts; nonetheless it remains among the least played casino games here due to high house edges on American double-zero wheels; on European versions with one zero, house advantage decreases significantly and becomes one of the smallest per-game followings available; similar logic applies with baccarat being another stand-out example that draws audiences and crowds in.