Roulette Basics

The Fundamentals of Roulette

Roulette is a simple casino game to learn, but you need to learn a few basics before you play for money. Before hitting the roulette tables with real money, it is wise to practice roulette for free. Roulette practice is available in many different forms and won't cost you a thing, and we all know there's nothing better than free entertainment.

Remember, the house has a huge advantage in traditional American style roulette. This is even more reason to practice your roulette betting skills in a way that avoids threatening your mortgage payment.

Roulette Overview

First, let's discuss a little bit about the game. Roulette is played with a 'wheel' consisting of 38 (37 if you're playing European table style) numbers in alternate black and red colors. The idea is to guess through a variety of betting options which space the ball will land in when the wheel stops spinning. This is where practicing roulette comes in handy. There are so many betting options, it is easy to understand why new players are intimidated. Free roulette practice will make you familiar with your betting options.

Roulette Tips

Some basic tips for roulette, before you rush off to practice for free at your favorite online gaming spot, are:

1. Avoid "winning strategies". This sounds strange -- what I mean is, don't believe anyone who tells you they can guarantee a win at roulette. Roulette is random, and therefore can not be mastered with any "system".

2. Look for a single zero roulette wheel. This cuts the house advantage more than any other option. "Single zero" roulette has only a "0" and not a "0" and a "00" slot on the wheel. If you find a game played with a single zero wheel, this is called European Roulette or French Roulette. The "00" is another slot added for the ball the land on and for you to lose on, so always avoid the double zero, if possible. This usually isn't the case in America.

3. Search for casinos that offer the surrender rule. This is the next best thing to a single 0 table, as it reduces the house advantage and gives you better options on even-money bets.

4. Play roulette on European sites if possible, as their tables provide lower house odds.

You can practice roulette online for free at any number of casinos -- most "real money" casinos also offer play money or fake money options. Even as a reviewer of online casinos, I find myself playing casino games with play money more often than with real money. The training and entertainment is completely worth any time spent.

Roulette Bets

The major betting options in roulette are as follows:

Outside bets

The outside bets in roulette are the bets that reside 'outside' of the main playing area of 38 numbers.

Red or Black

Bet on the outcome either being a red number, or a black number. Place this bet in the area with the words 'red' or 'black' in them. Your odds will be 50/50 and the bet is paid even money.

Odd or Even

Bet on the outcome either being an odd or even number. Place your bet by putting your chips in the middle of the section marked 'even' or 'odd'.

Low or High

You predict whether the next number to come up will be between 1 to 18, or between 19 to 38. Your odds will be 50/50 and the bet is paid even money.

Columns

At one end of the set of numbers are boxes with '2 to 1' written in them. If a number from within the column you are betting on comes up, you win, and are paid 2 to 1.

Dozens

This is where you place a bet on dozens, either the first dozen (1-12), the second dozen (13-24), or the third dozen (25-36). The bet pays 2 to 1.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are made up of specific numbers as placed on the playing surface, or along the border of it.

Straight-up Bet

This is the simplest roulette bet. You choose one of the numbers and place your chips on that number. This gives a rather large return of 35 to 1, but is easily one of the worst bets in the casino odds-wise.

Corner Bet

The corner bet allows you to place a bet on four adjoining numbers. This bet pays 8 to 1.

Now that you are a little more familiar with betting options, and have practiced some roulette online, it is time to join the online casino of your choice and have a blast. Keep some basics in mind and good luck.

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