Roulette Bets - Taking the Little Wheel out for a Big Spin
Gamblers all around the world have come to love and
know the all too familiar Roulette table, and the
click, click, click of the glamorous wheel. Many new
visitors to casinos rush to the Roulette wheel in
order to feel a part of the casino rush. It is a
simple game of chance that will quickly have you
squealing with delight, not to mention chasing after
your number.
The most complex thing about Roulette is the variety of bets that you will have the option of wagering on. So whether you are vying for the big win with big odds or playing it slow, smooth, and cool with lower odds of many outcomes, the more you know, the better your odds overall. Let's explore some of the Roulette player's options:
Column Bets
Whether you are playing on an American wheel or a French wheel, you will see that the numbers 1 to 36 are set up in columns of 12 numbers each, and alternate between red and black. The zero or double zero are across the top and are in green. The alternation between the colors red and black for each number are coordinated with the Roulette wheel layout.
A column bet is a group of numbers that cover any of the three columns of numbers within a Roulette layout. A player can choose to place bets on all three columns or on a single column at the time. Each column has a 2:1 payout. To place a bet, players will place their wager on the section directly below the column that they are betting on. See table 1:
For a beginning player, utilizing column bets may be one of the quickest ways in which to increase a bankroll. Some strategists suggest that if you win on your bet, then you double that bet the next time. Another option would be to split your winnings on two columns and then increase and split as you go. It is always important to remember that Roulette is a game of chance, and the idea is always to maintain as much of your bankroll as you possibly can.
Keep in mind the odds of winning. Some suggest placing a bet on all black or all red, for example, as this will increase your overall odds depending upon which column(s) you choose. As you can see, the center column has more black than the inside or outside columns. So betting all black to increase your center bet odds is a good way to go - however, the payout is only 1:1.
Roulette Payouts Made Simple
Say you have a feeling the next number rolled is 23, so you place a bet on 23. Maybe your favorite number is your birthday and you choose that number. If it hits, you win.
Take your favorite number or your intuition number, and place a single bet that covers that number and the adjacent number. Then hope one of them hits.
You are getting the hang of it, but remember that this is best when you start building up your bankroll.
Increasing your odds decreases the payout, which only stands to reason.
Six of one, a half a dozen of another. No matter how you slice it, six are better than one, at least when it comes to increasing your odds of winning.
Typically a column bet, or can be the Dozens bet.
All one color bet black/red, odds/even, or high/low number bets.
Outside Bets
Outside bets are those bets that cover groups of
numbers and are often times considered "safe" bets.
Why are they safe? Because they cover more ground
and increase up your odds of winning. Keep in mind
that the more numbers covered, the lower the payout
and the higher your odds
of winning. The bets that are considered as
outside bets are:
-
Red / Black
-
Odd / Even
-
High / Low
-
Columns
-
Dozens
All outside bets listed here are 18 number bets and pay 1 to 1 except for Columns and Dozens, which are 12 number bets paying 2 to 1.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are those bets that do not involve the
even money bets or the column bets, but are bets
with specificity. So, a straight up wager - i.e. a
one number bet - is the crème de la crème of
Roulette wins. And with good reason, for it pays
35:1. So, let's say you bet $10 and the ball lands
on that number. You win $350. The chance of this
happening is only 2.63% of the time on American
tables or 2.70% on European tables. If you are going
with a straight, one number bet, then you place your
chip directly on the number of choice. Additional
inside bets include:
-
Split
is any adjacent numbers. So for example: you place your chip on 23 and any one of its adjacent numbers. Look at the table to see the many possibilities.
-
Street
is another inside bet. This is basically a row. Maybe you will go 1 -3, or 4-7, etc. The payout for walking on the street is 11:1.
-
Corners
covers four numbers, for example 1, 2, 4 and 5. Simply place your chips on any juncture of four numbers. This shares a payout of 8:1.
-
Line wager
is similar to the street, but you cover two streets at a time, giving you the six number approach. Its payout is 5:1.
Even money bets are those bets that pay even money, meaning 1:1. So, you bet $5 on all the black and a black number shows (see table 1 for what numbers that may be). You get paid $5 for the win, and keep your original bet. Thus, your $5 bet earns you $5.
Again, any time you bet an amount and the payout is the same as your bet, it is an even money wager.
