Roulette is the classic European casino game, with a wheel that spins in a circular pattern and divisions numbered from 1 to 36. On American tables there are two additional green divisions numbered 0.
The roulette wheel is a spinning disc that revolves around the base of a bowl. When the ball is launched, it will come to rest in one of the divisions.
There are various types of roulette bets that you can make, from single numbers to groupings of multiple numbers and even color bets. While all bets in roulette are subject to the same house edge, there are strategies that can improve your chances of winning.
First of all, you need to know the basics about how the game works. You place chips on a betting mat and then decide which number or grouping of numbers you want to bet on. The chips have no value away from the table, and you do not play with them until you are ready to cash out.
When the dealer is ready to begin the next round, she will clear out any losing bets and then start the spin. Once the spin is complete, she will place a marker on the winning number or group of numbers and then pay out any winning bets.
You can also choose to bet on groups of three or more numbers, called outside bets. These bets usually have better odds and are less expensive than individual digit bets.
In European roulette, every bet has a house edge of 2.70%. There are a few ways to reduce this, but not all of them work.
The single best way to reduce your house edge is to understand the rules of the game. This will give you a better understanding of how the wheel and the odds work and will help you avoid playing the wrong bets.
The most common bet in roulette is the straight up bet, which pays out 35 to 1. There are other bets that can be made, but they do not have the same payouts or odds of winning.