R O U L E T T E BASICS Roulette is an easy and quiet casino game to play offering a variety of bets. Players select a number or a group of numbers to win. The numbers run from 1 to 36 plus special "0" and "00" numbers. Odd numbers are colored red, even numbers black and the 0 and 00 green. Players place bets by putting roulette chips on the numbered layout as shown below. The dealer then spins the wheel and white ball in opposite directions. Bets may be placed until the ball is about ready to leave the track. Once it lands in a wheel number location, the dealer marks that number on the layout, sweeps the loosing bets off and pays the winning bets. Chips range in value from 10 or 25 cents and up and are bought in stacks of 20 from the dealer. Table minimums should be posted but if not ask the dealer before buying-in. At a 25 cent chip table, the minimum will likely be some multiple of 25 cents such as 3 to 5 chips, bet on each spin of the wheel. The chips may be spread on different "inside" numbers 1 to 36, 0 and 00. Bet minimums on "outside" number combinations may be more. A unique item about roulette is that players decide what the chips are worth when bought. Each player on the table has a different color of chips to play. The dealer may show what a player's chips are worth, by placing a sample of player's color and the appropriate amount near the wheel. This is often done when the value is above the table minimum. The most important thing is that roulette chips have no value on another roulette table, any other casino game or at the casino cashier. They must be cashed in at that roulette table before leaving. If they are not they will lose their value. The casino may allow cash to be bet at a roulette table but potential ownership problems can result and it is not recommended. The player may bet on one or more single numbers or groups of various numbers. Payoffs are directly related to whether one number or a group of numbers is bet. If one number is bet, the payoff is 35 to 1 or 36 total chips. If two numbers are bet as a group, the payoff is 17 to 1 or 18 chips. If eighteen numbers are bet as a group, the payoff is 1 to 1 or 2 chips. Players choose numbers to bet for different reasons. They may change numbers every spin or play favorite numbers, birthdays, ages or other lucky numbers. There is no statistical advantage or difference in betting any number or group of numbers. Roulette Table Layout: 7 28 12 35 3 +--------------------------------------------+ 29 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3rd | 18 0 | 0| 3| 6| 9|12|15|18|21|24|27|30|33|36| Col | 22 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 W 15 | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|-----| 31 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2nd | 14 H 4 |--| 2| 5| 8|11|14|17|20|23|26|29|32|35| Col | 20 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 E 2 |00|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|-----| 33 25 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1st | 16 E 17 | | 1| 4| 7|10|13|16|19|22|25|28|31|34| Col | 24 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 L 6 +--|-----------------------------------|-----+ 00 27 | 1st12 | 2nd12 | 3rd12 | 10 13 |-----------|-----------|-----------| 23 8 30 11 36 |1-18 |EVEN | RED |BLACK| ODD |19-36| +-----------------------------------+ Bet Payoffs: Single Number (Straight Up) .................. 35 to 1 Two Numbers (Split, bet on line).............. 17 to 1 Three Numbers (Across, bet on line)........... 11 to 1 Four Numbers (Corner, bet on junction)......... 8 to 1 Five Numbers (Bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, 3)........... 6 to 1 Six Numbers (Across, bet on junction)......... 5 to 1 Section (12 numbers, bet in 1st 12 Box, etc.).. 2 to 1 Column (12 numbers, bet on 1st COL)............ 2 to 1 1 to 18 or 19 to 36 (18 numbers, bet in box)... 1 to 1 Odd or Even (18 numbers, bet in box)........... 1 to 1 Red or Black (18 numbers, bet in box).......... 1 to 1 CASINO PERCENT ADVANTAGE The casino percent advantage or "PC" on roulette is easy to see and understand. There are 38 numbers on the wheel but the payoff for one number is only 35 to 1 or 36 chips. This makes the casino PC -2/38ths or -5.26%. This -5.26% PC exists on all of the other bets on groups of numbers. Actually the one bet on five numbers; 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3; has a casino PC of -7.90%. For more information see the $mart Gambler tutorial on Odds. SMART GAMBLER STRATEGY Roulette is a pleasant casino game to play but $mart Gamblers won't be found at it. Not because of the game's sedate atmosphere but because the casino's -5.26% PC is just too large a price to pay for entertainment. There is no system that can overcome that PC and turn roulette into a long term winning proposition. The mathematics of the game is against the player. Do not believe any advertisements for "systems" that claim otherwise. No betting system can overcome or come close to overcoming the high PC on roulette. The chance of the ball rolling into one number or a group of numbers is not dependent on any previous spin. It is purely a random event. Just because the ball has not landed in a black number for ten times does not automatically change the odds on it landing in a red number. The ball has no memory and doesn't care where it lands. It will have the same chance of landing in black as landing in red or in green for that matter. There is one interesting situation that is frequently observed at the roulette table. Occasionally a player will bet large quantities of different numbers or different groups of numbers. It is not unusual to see 20 or 25 separate bets. They apparently feel better if something wins. The player of course fails to comprehend the affect of 19 or 24 of the bets lose and the impact the -5.26% is having on their bankroll. There are occasionally casinos that offer a roulette game with a single-zero wheel. They will have a 0 number but no 00 number. That reduces the casino PC to -1/37ths or -2.70%. If a player wants to try a little roulette play, the single-zero wheel is a better bet but it is still relatively high. The $mart Gambler understands the impact of high casino percent advantages as in roulette and chooses other casino games for their entertainment. What is the difference of playing roulette versus a correct game of craps or blackjack? Situation: Three day gambling trip, 15 hours of play, average of 60 decisions per hour, average bet of $5. Playing roulette, the entertainment cost will average $236 for the trip. Sometimes the player will come out a winner but over the long run the player will lose an average of $236 per trip. Compare this to playing a correct game of craps or six deck blackjack at the same betting level, duration and decision activity. These games will cost an average $36 per trip based on a casino PC of less than 1%. The player will come out a winner more times than playing roulette but on the average will lose $36 a trip. Multiple this by four trips a year for ten years and the difference is $8000. See the appropriate $mart Gambler tutorial for more information on craps or blackjack. $mart Gamblers enjoy casino gambling and know to continue to enjoy it they must play at the best opportunities. Roulette is not one of them and for that reason it is not as popular as compared to other casino games. Copyright 1992-1994 PC Information Systems All Rights Reserved