Roulette, the very name may bring to mind visions of high stakes gambling and excitement. In reality, Roulette is also a strategic betting game, literally meaning “little wheel”. The game can only be played with a minimum of three players, but even the most popular version nowadays has just three players. The point of the game is to spin the little white ball of luck on the wet (dry) wheel so that no other ball stays in the original box.
The first variation of Roulette, as well as the oldest one, is the “ring game” or Roulette per Anglais. This variation of roulette was the forerunner of all the other variations we know today. The concept of Roulette per Anglais is simple: place a bet on the outcome of the spin of the wheel, then, depending on the amount you bet, spin the wheel again and try to win more than your bet. A much easier version of this game is Roulette per Fours, wherein the first four guests are given the option to place a bet without having to spin the wheel, if they so choose. Thus, if the last four guests walk away with the win, your share of the pot is doubled!
Another easy and convenient way of playing Roulette in the French way is to follow the layout of a traditional French hotel or casino. Roulette follows the “standard” formula, with the exception of choosing a layout that uses at least 30 of the same cards. If a Roulette player chooses to use an already-established layout, it makes the game harder and less exciting; for this reason, new players who do not know the game properly may opt to stick with the standard version of roulette.
When playing Roulette, it’s important to remember that all the money you spend on bets (called “payouts”) will be transferred to your bankroll. When you reach the amount of money required by the house, you can put those funds into your wallet or purse. Once you have reached the maximum amount of money that you can put in your pocket, the Roulette wheel will stop spinning and the winning number will be revealed. At that moment, you must know whether you have won or lost.
Some Roulette players prefer to play Roulette with a friend, thus creating a “table” with which to play the game. This allows each player to set a limit for himself and his friends to reach before switching to placing bets with the Roulette wheel. However, before allowing all players to switch to placing outside bets with the Roulette table minimum, the house will usually require one last check point before proceeding, at which point all players must leave the table, or all bets will be forfeited.
The Roulette wheel may be seen as a difficult device, but with enough practice and patience, most players can master it. Roulette players can learn the art of Roulette betting by watching others play the game using the strategy of the wheel as their guide. The more one masters the wheel, the more likely he or she is to become rich. In fact, some players have become so good at betting that they have invented new rules based on their experience, which they use to place winning bets on Roulette games around the world.
