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The game of roulette is a casino game that involves betting on the number that will come up when a special wheel is spun.  Depending on whether you are playing American or European roulette, there may be either 37 or 38 different numbered slots on the wheel.  In American roulette, the wheel is numbered 1-36, plus there are two zero spaces (0 and 00).  In European roulette, the wheel is also numbered from 1-36, but there is only one zero space.  That means there are 37 total spaces on the European roulette wheel and 38 total spaces on the American roulette wheel.  So the odds of any one number coming up are 1:37 in European roulette and 1:38 in American roulette.

Bets are placed by laying chips on the game layout.  This is an area of the roulette table that is marked with boxes for each number on the roulette wheel.  Players can bet on any individual number, all of the numbers of one color (red or black), odds, evens, or combinations of numbers.  Bets can be placed on the lowest half, highest half, first dozen, second dozen or third dozen.  The types of bets available can vary from one casino to another.

How to Play

First, you’ll have a short period of time to place your bets.  You do this by placing chips on the game table as described above.  If you are playing online, you will place your chips by clicking your mouse in the area for the bet you want to place.  Right click on the pile of chips if you want to remove or reduce your bet.

Once the time for placing bets has expired, the wheel will be spun and the ball is released.  As the wheel slows, so does the ball.  It will eventually drop into one of the numbered pockets on the wheel.  If it lands in a pocket corresponding to the bet you have placed, then you win.  You will receive a payout based on the odds for the bet that you placed.  For example, on an even money bet (1:1 odds), if you bet $5 you will win $5.  For a bet with 2:1 odds, you would win double the money you bet.  Here are the odds for various roulette bets.

Odds for Roulette Bets

Straight Bets - Single number - 35:1

Split Bet - Two adjacent numbers - 17:1

Street Bet - Three numbers in a row - 11:1

Square Bet - Block of four numbers - 8:1

Line Bet - Six numbers of two adjoining rows - 5:1

Column Bet - One of the three vertical columns - 2:1

Dozen Bet - Twelve consecutive numbers - low, middle or high - 2:1

Even-Money Bet - Half of the numbers - high or low, odd or even, black or red - 1:1

Roulette is a game that involves statistical probabilities.  It is a game that allows you to place bets based on what number you think will come up next.  For the most part, people usually place their bets based on what has come up recently.  When playing roulette, there are two varieties to consider, American roulette or European.  European has one less number than American roulette, which makes the odds slightly better.

The Odds

In American roulette, there is one more number than in European roulette, the green 00 space.  Because of the extra number on the American roulette wheel, the house advantage in American roulette is 5.3% compared to the 2.7% advantage in European roulette.  This is why many people prefer to play European roulette over the American version.

European roulette is normally played by well-dressed high rollers at classy casinos.  However, it is becoming extremely popular online as well.  At the casino, you are limited to playing the style of roulette offered where you are playing.  However, anyone can play either American or European roulette online.  Since European roulette offers better odds and is generally less confusing to play, it is quite a bit more popular online.  Play roulette online is easy.  All you have to do is spin the wheel and wait.  Many people find the online roulette experience even more enjoyable than playing in the casinos.

Remember, the differences between American roulette and European roulette can be summed up as follows:

1.  The American roulette wheel has 38 slots.  There are the numbers 1 through 36, plus 0 and 00.  The European roulette when has 37 slots.  It has the numbers 1 through 36, plus 0.

2.  The house edge in American roulette is 5.3%.  The house edge in European roulette is 2.7%.