Roulette, which means "little wheel", is a casino game that involves a player or group of players placing a variety of bets while a ball is spun around the wheel; the ball's final resting place decides whether the player wins or loses the bet. In a live casino when the ball finally falls into a pocketed number on the wheel, the dealer will place a marker on that number on the table and then sweep the losing bets from the table before paying out the winners. This all happens instantly in an online casino.

Rules

The Roulette wheel either has 37 numbers (European style) or 38 numbers (American style); both have 1-36 and 0, but the American version also has a double zero. Since both games will pay out a number hit at 35:1 odds, the European version will always be the better choice.

There are two major types of bets; 'inside bets' and 'outside bets', and both have several specific types of bets that fit into each category. The casino will also usually have different minimums for inside and outside bets.

Inside Bets
Straight-up: A single number bet.
Split: A bet on two numbers, the chip is placed on the line between the two numbers.
Street: A bet on three numbers in a horizontal line, the chip is placed on the line at the edge of the line of numbers.
Corner: A bet on four numbers, the chip is placed on the intersection of the four numbers.
Six Line: A bet on two streets.
Trio: A bet on the numbers 0, 1, 2, or 0, 00, 2, or 00, 2, 3.

Outside Bets
1 to 18: A bet on a number from 1 to 18 coming up.
19 to 36: A bet on a number from 19 to 36 coming up.
Even or Odd: A bet on whether the number will be even or odd.
Red or Black: A bet on the color of the number.
Dozen Bets: A bet on a series of numbers, 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.
Column Bets: A bet on all 12 numbers in a column.

Odds and Payouts

The odds and payouts of all of these bets are:
Straight-up: 2.7% for European Roulette, 2.63% for American Roulette. Both pay 35 to 1.
Split: 5.26% chance of winning. Pays 17 to 1.
Street: 7.89% chance of winning. Pays 11 to 1.
Corner: 10.53% chance of winning. Pays 8 to 1.
Six Line: 15.79% chance of winning. Pays 5 to 1.
Trio: 7.89% chance of winning. Pays 11 to 1.

1 to 18, 19 to 36: 47.37% chance of winning. Pays 1 to 1.
Even or Odd: 47.37% chance of winning. Pays 1 to 1.
Red or Black: 47.37% chance of winning. Pays 1 to 1.
Dozen Bets: 31.58% chance of winning. Pays 2 to 1.
Column Bets: 31.58% chance of winning. Pays 2 to 1.

Strategy

Several 'strategies', also known as betting systems, have been formed for Roulette, but when put through rigorous computer simulation tests all of these systems fail. Roulette is a game for people who enjoy playing their gut feeling.

Any person or website that declares they have the answer to beating Roulette is not to be believed. Just play the inside or outside bets that you want, and hope for some good luck.