Roulette: Lesson 1 - The Table Basics

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Roulette has been played since the 17th century. Your simple objective as a player is to predict the ball's final resting-place when the wheel stops spinning. The roulette wheel consists of 36 numbers plus zero and double zero. Your wager on the roulette table can be placed on a single number, or be used to cover 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, or up to 18 different numbers during one spin. Here is a summary of the different roulette bets:

Straight Up

This is a wager on a single number, including zero (0) and double zero (00). If the ball stops at your number, your bet pays 35 to 1.

Split Bet

This is a wager on two adjacent numbers in the roulette table, which is placed on the line dividing the two numbers. If the ball stops at either number, your bet pays 17 to 1.

Street Bet

Street bets cover three numbers. The chip is placed on the outer right boundary line of the roulette table, next to the corresponding row of three numbers. If either number hits, the street bet pays 11 to 1.

Corner Bet

Corner bets cover four numbers. The chip is placed on the cross where the four numbers intersect. If any of the four numbers hit, your corner bet pays 8 to 1.

Five Bet

This bet covers the following numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. The chip is placed on the outer right boundary line of the roulette table, between 00 and 3. If either number hits, your five bets pays 6 to 1.

Line Bet

A line bet covers the six different numbers in two rows of three numbers. For example: 4,5,6 plus 7,8,9). The chip is placed on outer right boundary line of the roulette table, where the line dividing the two rows intersects it. If any of the six numbers hit, your line bet pays 5 to 1.

Column Bet

On the short side of the roulette table are three boxes marked "2 to 1." By placing your chip in one of these boxes, you mark all twelve numbers above it (0 and 00 excluded). If the ball stops at either of these numbers, your bet pays 2 to 1.

Dozen Bet

You can bet on a group of twelve numbers by placing your chip in one of the three boxes marked "1st 12," "2nd 12," or "3rd 12." A winning dozen bet pays 2 to 1.

Red/Black, Even/Odd, and Low/High Bets

A bet placed in one of the boxes on the left, long side of the table covers half of the roulette numbers (excluding zero and double zero). Each box covers 18 numbers. These bets pay even money, 1 to 1.

Good Luck!

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