Introduction to Roulette
Roulette originated in France over 200 years ago. It is a very elegant, yet simple game. There are three forms of the game, using three different wheels, and different rules. The French wheel has a single green 0 pocket, and a unique arrangement of numbers on the wheel. The American wheel has a green 0 pocket and, on the opposite side of the wheel a green 00 pocket. The American wheel has a different number layout than the French wheel. The Hybrid wheel is used in the UK and has a single green 0 pocket yet an American number layout.
Since the payoff is the same for the three forms, yet the American wheel has an extra pocket, the casino advantage (take) using the American wheel is almost twice that of the single 0 wheels. The casino using an American wheel has a take of 5.26%, while the French and Hybrid wheels have a casino take of 2.7%. Is it any wonder that Roulette is more popular in the UK and Europe. Casinos have slot machines with a lower take than the American form of Roulette. Compare 5.26% to the typical Blackjack casino advantage of 0.2 to 0.7% and you can see why Roulette accounts for only 5% of casino revenues in America.
In Europe and the UK there are additional rules on even money outside bets which lowers the casino advantage to 1.35% for those bets. In Europe, there is a rule called en prison. It applies to the Black/Red, Even/Odd, and High/Low bets which pay even money, when the ball lands on the green 0. The bet is "in prison" for that spin. The player may surrender half of the wager, or play it on the next spin. If the next spin loses, the bet is lost. If they win, their bet is returned to them. This reduces the casino advantage to 1.35% for those outside bets. Other bets are unaffected.
In the UK, they have a rule called le partage, for outside, even money bets. When the 0 is the winning number, half of these bets are "surrendered" to the house. There is no option to let it ride as in Europe. Again, this reduces the house advantage to 1.35% on these bets only.
In America, Atlantic City casinos have a surrender rule on outside, even money bets identical to le partage. This reduces the house take to 2.63% from 5.26% on those bets. So, if you are going to play in America, Atlantic City would be the place to go. There are a growing number of French wheels in America, probably to cater to Europeans, and increase the revenues from roulette.
When you wish to play, at a break in the action, lay your cash on the table. In America you will be given special chips, so you will have a different color from the other players. You must determine the value you want them to be, such as $1 per chip at a $5 minimum table, or $5 at a $25 minimum table. You will be given a stack or stacks of chips with which to play. In Europe, they do not have special chips, so there may be confusion which bet is yours. This is one technique which is better in America. However, the Europeans have been playing their way much longer than Americans, so it is working just fine.
Generally in America there is one dealer taking care of everything. There is occasionally need for a second dealer to help stack chips if the table is very busy. In Europe there is a fancier name for the dealer: croupier. There may be more than one at each table. The wheel is continuously spinning in a counterclockwise direction at a uniform speed. The ball is spun clockwise by the dealer/croupier. It will spin around many times, and during the spin you may still place a bet. Once the ball begins to descend to the wheel, the dealer will wave an arm and state"No more bets." The ball will make it's way to the wheel through deflectors to land in one of the numbered compartments. The compartments are separated by metal frets which also deflect the ball. It eventually lands in a numbered pocket and this number is announced. The dealer places a win marker on the winning number on the table layout. All losing bets are removed, and the winning bets are paid off from outside in. Once all bets are paid and the win marker is removed, and not until, you are free to place the next round of bets. In America the dealer uses his/her hands to collect the losing chips. In Europe, a device called a rake is used. This is the origin of the term, "Raking in the chips."
Next, you will need to know how to place your bets. I'll meet you there.
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