Roulette is one of the most well-known casino games in the world, with a history that dates back to the 19th century. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

We’re going to bust some common misconceptions about roulette here on Lifehack so you can have a better understanding of this game and how it works.

What Is Roulette?

Before we get into what makes roulette such an interesting game, let’s talk about its basic premise. Roulette is a wheel of numbers or symbols, which are divided into sections called pockets. Each pocket has a number associated with it (the numbers range from 0 through 36), and the goal of the game is to land on a specific pocket—which will pay off according to the odds of that particular number combination.

The rules of roulette vary slightly from place to place, but for our purposes, the most important thing is that the same numbers never come up more than once during a spin. If they do, the player loses their bet.

How Does Roulette Work?

The first step in playing roulette is placing your wager. The minimum amount required to play is $5, though there are many different betting options available if you want to increase your chances of winning. You can make bets on red, black, odd, even, and several variations of these combinations. This may seem like a lot to take in at first, but once you start playing, you’ll find that each option offers a distinct advantage over the other.

Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll need to choose which way you want to spin the wheel. There are two main ways to do this: American and European. In the American version, the ball lands in the “American” pocket, while European players put all their chips on a single section called “zero.”

Regardless of which method you decide to use, the next step is to pick a side. The sides are numbered 1 through 18, and when you choose your side, you’re essentially choosing your favorite color. The dealer then spins the wheel and gives you your first number. Based on your chosen color, you must match that number as quickly as possible without rolling a zero. If you do, you win; otherwise, you lose your money.

If you don’t roll a zero after 15 rounds, the wheel stops spinning and you automatically win. But you can also double down and try again if you miss by less than a half-point. Doubling the original wager requires you to make another selection.

Common Roulette Myths Are All Lies!

It’s easy to see why people think that Roulette is rigged. After all, you’re literally putting your life savings on the line, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to hit any of the winning numbers.

In fact, there are a few things that set roulette apart from other table games:

• There are only two numbers that won’t come up. The rule is the same for both versions of roulette.
• The house edge is a significant factor, meaning that there is always a higher chance of losing your money than winning. And since there are 36 different numbers, you could potentially end up losing everything.
• Because of the house edge, casinos often offer “vigorous” promotions where you can earn free money just for playing. These promotions can include comps, bonuses, signup offers, or anything else that encourages you to keep playing. They aren’t necessarily bad deals but keep in mind that you’d actually have to play for a long time before you’re likely to recoup your losses.

For example, in the US, online gambling sites like Unibet Casino allow players to enter a promotion where they can win 10 free spins on Blackjack. That’s not exactly great odds, but they could theoretically turn around and win big if they manage to get lucky while using those free spins.

Another myth about roulette is that it’s impossible to win at the end of a session. While this isn’t true in theory (as long as you follow the rules), you’re still highly unlikely to walk away a winner at the end of an entire session.

The reason for this is that most casinos have strict policies regarding how much players can bet per hour. For instance, Las Vegas casinos typically cap players at $10 per hour. Even if the person sitting across from you has been hitting the tables nonstop, it’s very unlikely that he or she will put enough money on the table to reach that limit within a short period of time.

This means that most players who play roulette will eventually lose their money.

Roulette Rules Explained

Let’s go over the official rules of roulette to understand how the game really works.

The Basics of Roulette

First off, there are 36 numbers on the wheel. Players begin with two choices: red or black. After picking one or the other, the dealer spins the wheel and gives the player their first number. Depending on whether he or she picked red or black, the player either matches his or her initial selection or doubles down.

After 15 spins, the wheel stops and the player wins if they matched his or her initial selection. Otherwise, the wheel keeps spinning until the player rolls a zero, which ends the game. If the player doesn’t roll a zero after 15 rounds, the wheel continues spinning indefinitely, giving the player an opportunity to double down and try again.

The House Edge of Roulette

The house edge is the difference between the percentage of money that goes to the house versus the percentage of money that should go to the player. In other words, it’s the amount of money that the casino takes out of every dollar wagered compared to the amount that the casino should take in.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• For American roulette, the house edge is 35.23%. This means that for every $100 that you spend, you should expect to receive $35.23 in return.
• For European roulette, the house edge is 37.76%. This means that for every $100 that you spend, you should expect to receive $37.76 in return.

These numbers are fairly close to each other, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider them when deciding how much to bet. Some players prefer to avoid the risk of “bad luck” by avoiding the house edge altogether.

Betting Limits

As mentioned above, most casinos have a limit on how much you can bet per hour. This means that the casino is making sure that you don’t blow through too much money. As a result, most casinos won’t allow you to bet larger amounts during the course of a single session.

You can usually find the limits for yourself in the terms and conditions of the site. When you log in, look for a paragraph detailing the maximum amount that you can bet per hour. Most casinos will also list the minimum amount that you can bet per hour, which is typically lower than the maximum amount.