The invention of the game that we're familiar with today is generally attributed to the French philosopher and mathematician, Blaise Pascal, who is credited with originating the probability theory. But forerunners of Roulette, basically carnival wheel games, were in use throughout Europe, as early as the mid-1500s. They fall under one of two categories: "inside" bets and "outside" bets. Inside bets are made on the individual numbers, one through 36, and the zeros. Betting on a single number is called a "straight-up" wager. If the ball drops into the number 23 pocket, you're paid off at 35-1. This "split" bet pays off at 17-1. You can bet on three numbers at a time, paying 11-1, four numbers (8-1), five numbers (6-1) and six numbers (5-1) Those are all the inside bets. Outside bets are the wagers made on the outside of the layout. If you put a $5 chip in the second column and the ball drops into number 17, you win $10. You can mix, match and make as many bets as you like on a single spin. It indicates the lowest wager allowed on any outside bet and the lowest total bet inside. The chip minimum tells you the least amount you can bet inside on a number. A $2 table minimum and 50-cent chip minimum, means that you must bet a minimum of $2 on any outside bet, but you can combine four 50-cent bets to satisfy the minimum requirements for your inside bet. In other words, you can bet 50 cents on four different numbers. You are allowed to place bets even while the wheel is spinning, up until the point when the dealer announces, "No more bets." This is the fun part. On a table that's really jamming, players twist, lunge and sometimes elbow their way past other players to get their bets down before the deadline. When you're ready to cash out, don't forget to redeem your wheel chips (for real chips) right at the table. On occasion, you'll encounter Roulette wheels that have only one zero. While interesting to observe and look for patterns, they don't provide much information of practical use. Roulette is a game of independent trials, which means the ball has no memory of what has occurred in the past, and cannot become more predictable because of prior results. Since the casino edge on both the inside and outside bets is the same, it doesn't really matter which you choose to play. For excitement purposes, it's better to divide your stake into smaller units (defined by the chip minimum) and spread chips over several numbers inside. Be sure to read the placard that lists the table minimum and chip minimum, then buy your wheel chips from the dealer. You can place your bets anywhere and everywhere on the layout, even on the top of the chips of other players, up until the time the dealer says, "No more bets." Then stand back, relax, and pray that the ball drops into the pocket with your money in it. Did you hear the one about the young woman playing Roulette who asked her boyfriend which number she should play. The boyfriend said, "Bet your age." So his girlfriend placed a chip on 23. The ball landed on 29 and the woman fainted.

Roulette Tips

In an attempt to be as unbiased as possible about the game of roulette, I will, at most, point out there are several "systems" or invented strategies in existence, which claim to guarantee success at the roulette table.  And just as much as we all know that success cannot be guaranteed at any game of chance, we all know that these systems cannot be guaranteed as well.  systems have proven to be successful to some devoted roulette players who have managed to use them in a way that productively minimizes the inherent weaknesses of the system.  On the other hand, if players do the research for themselves, they will see there is a unanimous agreement between actuaries, mathematicians and legitimate gambling professionals that the structure of roulette does not allow for the implementation of a bona fide strategy such as the basic blackjack strategy.  Perhaps a jerry-rigged system is all it takes.  Therefore, on this page, player's will not find an infallibly self-proclaimed roulette strategy.  Rather, only sound tips related to playing the game with some form of structure and regularity, which in effect, could be called a strategy in itself, are offered for the player's use.  If you would like to know more about some of the most popular systems used at roulette, please see the comprehensive tips at the bottom of this page.  Our recommendation is that if you are intrigued and curious about using a system, that you do your research and learn the system inside and out.  After doing so, put the system into action at a number of practice gambling sessions.  If you are like some of the European gambles who have successfully customized a system so that it returns a small and steady profit, it may well be worth a go. Keep in mind that all the bets on the roulette table naturally return a 5.25% Casino Advantage (except the five-number bet), although there are some situations when this advantage can be lowered to 2.6% and 1.3%.  With this in mind, here are the best non-system related tips that will help a player hold out at the roulette table:

Tip - Play the European version of Roulette

Most online casinos will offer both the American and European versions of roulette.