Roulette is one of the oldest casino games. It is a game of chance, but strict probabilities rule the way it works. There are strategies that minimize losses and maximize wins, but the game will always favor the house edge.
Roulette consists of a spinning wheel with divisions that alternate between red and black and an extra green 0 (on American tables only). A ball is spun around the wheel and when it stops, it will land in one of the divisions. The numbers on the wheel range from 1 to 36 and are grouped in groups of odd or even, red or black, or high (19-36) or low (1-18).
Players place bets by placing chips on the table. The betting mat is usually printed with the names of each type of bet, and there are specific places to lay down either inside or outside bets. The inside bets cover specific pockets and offer higher payout odds while the outside bets are based on positional groupings of pocket numbers and have lower payout odds.
The number of bets a player can make is determined by the size of their bankroll and the table limits. Some casinos have minimum and maximum bets that are listed on digital signs on the table or by asking the dealer. In addition, some casinos have specific rules that limit the number of bets per spin or per session.
Before the game starts, players must choose whether to place their bets on the inner or outer part of the table. The inner bets cover a smaller area and have higher winning odds but are also riskier than the outside bets. Players place their bets by putting their chips on the corresponding spaces on the betting mat, and when all bets are placed, the wheel is spun and the ball is dropped.
There are a variety of different strategies for playing roulette, but most of them focus on making even money bets such as red or black. However, the fact is that a single round of roulette cannot predict which color will win. For example, if you bet $10 on red and lose, you will not get back $16 in the next round, regardless of how many times you win. In addition, a losing streak is possible and can wipe out your entire bankroll.