Roulette has an air of sophistication and mystery about it. The spinning red and black wheel, the click-clack of the ball as it hops between numbered slots, people gathered around the table hoping Lady Luck shines on them. It’s no wonder roulette tables at Wunderwins command attention on the casino floor.
As a beginner, all that spectacle might seem daunting at first. But roulette is actually one of the easiest casino games to learn and offers you a great shot to win big. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to approach a roulette table with confidence and have fun while playing.
The ABCs of Roulette
At its core, roulette revolves around a simple premise – predict where the ball will land after the wheel is spun. If your prediction is correct, you win a payout based on the bets you placed.
The iconic roulette wheel contains either 37 or 38 numbered slots, alternating between red and black with one or two green 0 slots. As the wheel rapidly spins in one direction, the dealer launches the ball in the opposite direction, creating that nail-biting excitement as it bounces around before settling into a slot.
While hoping to guess the winning number, that’s not your only option. Bets can cover anywhere from a single number to almost 50% of the wheel. We’ll break down all the betting choices soon.
Inside vs Outside Bets
All roulette bets fall into two buckets – inside or outside bets.
- Outside bets have close to 50/50 odds of hitting, offering smaller payouts but a better chance to win. These bets cover categories like color (red/black), if the winning number is odd or even, and number ranges (1-18 or 19-36).
- Inside bets zero in on the exact winning number but the odds are stacked heavily in the casino’s favor. Picking the correct 1 out of 38 slot offers a bigger 35 to 1 payout but it’s unlikely. Other inside bet options cover just a handful of numbers.
While inside bets may sound tantalizing for their big payout potential, experts actually recommend beginners stick to outside bets. The roughly 50% probability means you’re likely to win about as often as you lose. That steady pacing extends your bankroll.
Choosing where to place your chip(s) on the felt table signals what type of bet you want:
| Outside Bets | What’s Covered | House Edge |
| Even or Odd | Even or odd number | 48.6% |
| Red or Black | Red or black slots | 48.6% |
| Low (1-18) or High (19-36) | Number range | 48.6% |
| Dozen Bets | 0-12, 13-24, 25-36 | 48.6% |
| Column Bets | 12 number block | 48.6% |
Roulette Variations: American or European
Before diving into a game, it helps to understand the two distinct roulette variations you’re likely to encounter and the key differences:
- American Roulette – This is the most common type you’ll find in Las Vegas casinos. It contains 38 slots on the wheel – 1 through 36 plus two 0’s (0 and 00). Having those extra 0 slots gives the house slightly better odds. Also, if the ball lands in 0 or 00 it’s an automatic loss for all outside bets.
- European Roulette – Only contains a single 0 slot for 37 total numbers. The absence of the 00 decreases the house edge down to around 2.7%, giving players better odds. It also means fewer losses on even-money outside bets when the ball drops on 0. If you have the choice, experts recommend playing European Roulette.
Now that you grasp roulette basics, let’s see how it all comes together at the tables.
Playing a Round of Roulette
As you approach a roulette table for the first time, things happen fast. Multiple players place bets simultaneously, the wheel spins and the dealer coordinates everything.
While it seems chaotic, each round actually follows a series of simple steps:
- Players purchase special roulette chips from the dealer at the table minimum
- Players place the chip(s) on a table to indicate the desired bet(s)
- The dealer announces “No More Bets”, spins the wheel
- The ball drops into a numbered slot
- The dealer places the marker on the winning number
- Payouts commence for players whose bets match the winning number/categories
- Players can keep existing chips on the table as bets for upcoming round
- Dealer repeats steps 2 to 7 for the next round
And that’s it! Roulette truly is one of the most straightforward trustly casino games. In just about the time it took you to read those steps, a full round of betting and payouts wrapped up.
Once you get comfortable with the flow, you can ramp up both the fun and winnings by placing multiple types of bets in each round across more numbers. The more open slots you cover, the better chance you have of raking in a payout.
Ready to Spin?
Stepping up to a roulette wheel no longer needs to be intimidating with all this knowledge in your pocket. You now know the types of bets available to you, important rules variations between American and European games, what happens in a round, and smart betting strategies.
So what are you waiting for? Go grab some colorful casino chips and test your luck! Careful though because roulette has a way of pulling players in with its big payout potentials. But by wagering responsibly and enjoying the thrill of one of the world’s most legendary casino games, roulette is sure to keep your nights exhilarating at The Strip.
Just remember, while the spins may not always go your way, real winners know when to walk away and live to play another day. But when Lady Luck does flash her radiant smile at you across the table, savor those moments and have a blast!
