Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in physical and online casinos. It is also available for live dealer tables and offers players a variety of different betting options and strategies. There are many variations of the game and learning about the rules can help you make better decisions when betting.
The game begins with players placing their bets. The croupier then throws the ball into the spinning wheel and any winners are paid according to their bet odds. The bets can be placed on individual numbers, a grouping of pockets based on their position (inside or outside) or the color of the number – red or black. In addition to these bets, players can also place a column or a ‘Dozen’ bet. The former pays out at up to 35 to 1 and the latter a much lower payout of 8 to 1.
In roulette, each player is given a specific color of chips in order to distinguish them from other players at the table. This makes it easy to see who has won and who is still in the running for a win. When the winning bet is made, the dealer clears the losing chips off of the table and places a marker over the winning number. Then, the winner gets their payout and any remaining chips are returned to the player.
Before the single zero was introduced, roulette gained massive popularity in French gambling dens. Its popularity increased even further when it was introduced to the US, where cheating became rampant. In response to this, a ‘La partage’ rule was introduced that reduced the house edge of roulette to the coveted 2.7%.
Players can choose between two main versions of roulette when playing online – European and American. While the former is more common in physical casinos, the latter is more popular among online players because it allows for a higher winning probability. The only difference between the two is that the American version has a double zero, while the European one does not. This makes the European version a better choice for new players because it magnifies their chances of winning.