Roulette is a simple game that can bring a lot of glamour and mystery to the table. Its popularity stems in part from the fact that it is a very easy game to learn, and can be played by people of all ages. Yet it has a surprising level of depth for serious betters, and can pay off big rewards with the right strategy.
The first step in learning how to play roulette is deciding how much you want to bet. Choose a table that offers minimum and maximum betting limits that are within your budget. Then, once the table is clear of losing bets, place your chips on your desired numbers. The dealer will then spin the wheel and the ball will fall into a pocket that corresponds with your number. If you made a winning bet, you will be paid accordingly.
In addition to the inside bets, there are also a number of outside bets. These bets are placed on groups of numbers rather than individual digits, and they offer lower payouts but higher odds of hitting. One of the best-known outside bets is called the James Bond strategy, and it’s a great choice for beginners because it’s conservative and offers a good chance of winning.
Another popular outside bet is the high or low bet, known as passe et manque in French. This bet is based on whether the winning number will be in the first 18 odd or even numbers on the roulette wheel (1-18), or in the last 18 high or low numbers (19-36). Note that the zeroes don’t count, so if the ball lands on one of them, you lose. This bet has a payout of 1-1.
A third type of outside bet is the dozens bet, or douzaine in French. This bet is based upon the fact that there are three sets of 12 numbers on the roulette wheel, and each set contains both red and black numbers. If the ball lands on any of these dozen groups, you win. This bet has a payout of 2-1.
While there are many fanciful stories about the origin of roulette, it is believed that the game evolved from older games like hoca and portique. Its present layout and wheel structure were standardized in the early 1800s, and it became one of the most popular casino games in Europe.
