A Beginner’s Guide to Roulette – Getting Started

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Without any shadow of doubt, roulette has to be one of the most tempting and unintimidating casino table games for newcomers. It’s also perhaps the most iconic of all, so it’s little wonder that the roulette table tends to be the very first table so many casino newcomers flock to.

Nevertheless, it is a good idea to at least be semi-savvy when it comes to both how the game works and the kinds of odds you are looking at ahead of time. The more you know, the better your chances of making sensible decisions and ultimately the more fun you’ll have at the table.

Why Roulette?
The appeal of roulette is pretty much universal – everything from the tense anticipation as the ball finds its number to the prospect of taking home fantastic cash prizes. It’s a game that’s almost entirely down to luck, but does indeed involve a good deal of strategy when it comes to hedging those bets. And when it comes to getting started with online casino gaming for the first time, roulette is so much more approachable and easy to understand than almost any other table game across the board.

Common Roulette Misconceptions
When it comes to understanding the game of roulette as deeply as necessary for maximum enjoyment, there are certain misconceptions that should be acknowledged. For example, it’s common to assume that the odds of winning when betting on either a single colour or evens/odds is 50%. In reality however, the fact that there is a green section on the roulette wheel means that the odds are in fact a little lower than 50%, giving the house a slightly higher advantage.

In addition, it’s also common to fall into the trap of assuming that if several spins in a row have produced a black result, chances are that the next spin will land on red. In reality however, the actual odds of the ball landing in any red or black space are reset after each spin. Statistically speaking, it is just as likely that the ball will land on a black number 100 times in a row, as it is that it will land on an even spread of 50 reds and 50 blacks. Just as it is the case when tossing, one result does not in any way have any bearing or influence over the next.

And then of course there’s the ongoing suggestion/accusation that online roulette is something of a scam and offers much lower odds than those of real life roulette games. In the vast majority of instances however this simply isn’t the case, as in order for any leading online casino to both receive and retain full licensing and permission to remain in business, it is subject to independent verification and testing to ensure all odds are fair, realistic and clearly communicated.

Playing Roulette Online
When it comes to playing roulette online, the first and most important step is to sign up with a reputable casino. This means reading carefully into as many reviews as necessary, in order to find a casino that is 100% safe and verified as the real deal.

After this, it’s a case of choosing the roulette game, which in the case of beginners should ideally be European roulette – sometimes referred to as French roulette. The reason being that the green space on the roulette wheel is slightly smaller with European roulette than it is with American roulette, which in turn very slightly reduces the house edge and increases the chance of winning.

In terms of actual game play, it is quite simply a case of deciding how many chips you would like to bet and placing them on the respective colours, numbers and sections of the table. More often than not, beginners tend to prefer sticking with simple red or black bets, which present the highest odds of winning and make the introductory process as easy as possible. Just as soon as the chips are placed, it’s a case of hitting the ‘Spin’ button or waiting for the spin to start, should it be automated.

Understanding the Odds
The key to succeeding and having as much fun as possible with every game of roulette lies in better understanding the odds. The simple fact of the matter is that roulette is a game that revolves purely around chance – you have absolutely no influence over where the ball lands and when. Nevertheless, you do have full control over where, when and how you place your bets, so it’s important to learn what’s what.

American and European Roulette Odds and Chances Of Winning:

BetPayout Chance of Winning (European)Chance of Winning (American)
Reds / Blacks (colour)1:148.65%47.37%
Evens / Odds1:148.65%47.37%
Lows / Highs (1-18 / 19-36)1:148.65%47.37%
Dozens2:132.43%31.58%
Columns2:132.43%31.58%
6 Numbers (6 line)5:116.22%15.79%
5 Numbers (top line)6:1–13.16%
4 Numbers (square)8:110.81%10.53%
3 Numbers (street)11:18.11%7.89%
2 Numbers (split)17:15.41%5.26%
1 Number (straight)35:12.70%2.63%

As is the case with casino games, it’s also important to know where to draw the line with regard to your available budget, how much you can afford to wager and when the time comes to walk away. Above all else, try to remember that roulette is a game all about fun and excitement – not about chasing the kinds of big wins that very few gamers will ever take home.

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