Even with the digital casino age in full swing, Roulette remains one of the most classy and popular casino table games. That includes online and traditional casinos. Since the 1600s, socialites and common players have been fascinated with the concept of spinning the scientifically-made Roulette wheel to see where the little white ball lands.
However, winning at Roulette requires more than spinning the wheel and leaving everything to chance. It also requires understanding the odds and popular terminology.
The Importance of Understanding Roulette Terminology
If you’re new to Roulette, understanding the nuances and terminology is necessary for long-term success. Also, Roulette is a game that is rich in casino etiquette. There is an art to buying casino chips from the croupier, interacting with the croupier, and placing those chips strategically on the Roulette wheel.
One misconception that new Roulette players confuse is the RTP and house edge. The house edge, also known as house advantage, is the percentage of each win or bet that the house keeps, regardless of who wins or loses. The RTP, is the return to player. The RTP is usually gauged from a $100 wager to help players better understand how much they can expect to get back over time. Basically, if the RTP is 95.75%, a player can reasonably expect to get back $95.75 with a $100 wager.
The Main Roulette Variants for New Players
Although online casinos offer significantly more Roulette variants, the biggest casinos in the world offer American and European Roulette. Others might also offer French Roulette. American Roulette is the most common variant. It is the only variant that features the additional zero. As a result, new players are advised not to play American Roulette because the house edge is 5.26%.
Perhaps a more suitable and friendly option is to begin playing European and French Roulette. French Roulette is the oldest of all the variants and is the one where the Roulette table is entirely written in French. However, French and European Roulette both have a more favorable 2.7% house edge.
Key Roulette Terms
Because Roulette is full of complex bets, new players must master these standard terms.
Inside Bets Explained
Fundamentally, Roulette bets are categorized into either inside or outside bets. With inside bets, Roulette players place bets on a single or a small group of numbers.
When playing Roulette, you will encounter these inside bets:
The Straight Up Bet
This is where you bet on a single number or color. You can also bet on the green, which represents zero.
The Split Bet
It involves betting on two adjacent numbers on the Roulette wheel.
The Line Bet
Better known as the street bet, this Roulette wager involves placing wagers on three number rows.
The Corner Bet
Affectionately known as the square bet, Roulette players gamble on four numbers that form a square on the wheel.
The Double Bet
This is where you place your chips to bet on two side-by-side number rows. The Six-Line-Bet involves wagering on six numbers.
Outside Bets Explained
On the Roulette wheel, outside bets are designed to place bets over larger parts of the wheel. While the opportunities for bigger payouts are fewer, new Roulette players gravitate towards outside bets because of the better odds.
Red or Black Bets
This type of wager has the player betting on the white ball landing on a red or black color.
Odd or Even Bets
This basic bet has players betting on the white ball landing on an even or odd number.
Low or High Bets
Players can bet on low numbers on the Roulette wheel, one through seventeen, or the high ones, eighteen through thirty-six, for even money.
Betting the Dozens
This specialized wager involves betting on one of three groups of numbers. Each group consists of twelve numbers.
Betting on the Columns
Making column wagers involves placing bets on one of the three number columns on the Roulette wheel.
Even Money
Even money wagers are small calculated bets where you can win back at least your initial bet. Even money bets are ideal for new players to gain experience and to help them better manage their budgets.
Strategies for New Roulette Players
Besides the amazing types of bets that Roulette supports, Roulette variants also support many different betting strategies. While using a strategy can be helpful, it’s essential not to become dependent on them because Roulette is a game of chance.
So, all wins and losses are randomly determined. Also, many Roulette betting strategies call to increase your wagers dramatically should you lose, which can quickly drain your budget.
The Martingale
This basic Roulette strategy involves doubling your bets after each loss. And once you win, go back to your original bet. If done successfully, you can quickly recoup your losses. However, if you keep losing and you keep doubling your bets, you will soon run out of money to continue.
The Reverse Martingale
Also known as the Paroli system, it involves players doubling their bets after each win. The idea is to double their bankroll. However, with more aggressive bets comes the potential for massive losses.
The D’Alembert Method
Unlike the Martingale, which calls for doubling bets after losing, the D’Alembert calls for players to steadily increase their wagers after each win. By steadily increasing bets, players are taking a conservative approach to managing their bankroll while steadily boosting payouts.
Conclusion
By taking the time to master the essential Roulette terms, not only do you boost your odds, you’ll come across as a seasoned player worthy of respect. When playing Roulette in-person or online, it’s essential to use proper etiquette. For example, it is wise to chat with the croupier. Sometimes, the croupier can give you winning pointers. And if you have the fortune of winning with our expert tips, don’t forget to tip the croupier!
