By far, the most difficult aspect to learn with roulette is the various betting odds and strategies. For this explanation, all of the odds and bets will be based on the European version of the game. For starters, a basic breakdown of the wheel is necessary to understand the different bets.
The roulette wheel contain pockets marked from 0 to 36. The number pockets from 1 - 36 are colored red and black and alternate from one to the next. The number 1 begins with red. The 0 pocket is colored green. The American version contains an extra green-colored 0, which is numbered 00.
In the game, a player has the option of betting on numbers, colors, groups, odds and evens.
The most basic bet in roulette is the single number bet. To bet, a player must place a wager on the green felt-covered table that has all of the roulette betting options. A single number bet has a payout of 35:1.
The groups involve betting on the columns and rows on the table. The row bets pay 11:1, except for the 00 row. The 00 row, which is made up of the 0 and 00 pockets, pays 17:1. The column groupings, the most commonly wagered upon, have a payout of 2:1. There is the option called the five number bet, in which a player can pick any five numbers on the board, this pays 6:1.
Betting options in Roulette
Beyond these bets, all of the other wagers in
roulette payout 1:1. These include betting on the odd number, the even numbers, the colors
red and black, and the two groupings divided into 1-18 and 19-16. Once you've mastered all
of the betting options, you're well on your way to becoming a roulette betting pro.
