Understanding the roulette wheel relies on knowing two specific pieces of information; how to place a bet on the table and knowing the layout of the wheel. Since you’re betting on either a single number or a group of numbers, knowing the wheel will also influence how you place your bets. If you’re unfamiliar with the wheel, you’ll likely place straight bets, which have exceptional odds. There is a distinct difference between the American and European roulette wheels, which also changes the house advantage. Pay close attention to the wheel before placing any bets.

The American roulette wheel has 38 slots, numbered 00-36. The addition of the 00, which European roulette wheels omit, gives the house an edge of 5.26 compared to the European edge of 2.63. Most casual or beginner Roulette players believe that the numbers on the wheel are put there at random, but upon closer inspection you will notice that the pockets alternate red and black, which indicates that perhaps it isn’t so random after all. In some instances the numbers are situated in a way to ensure the entire wheel is “equal”, not more or less likely to hit than others.

An important point to note is that although the betting table for roulette is set up in numerical order, it does alternate between red and black, that is no indicator of how the wheel is set up. Choosing a group of numbers simply increases your chances of winning, but because they are in no specific order on the wheel, it is virtually impossible to predict where on the wheel the ball will land. Some players believe that roulette tables have a ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ side from usage and attempt to exploit this perceived advantage. Although this may have been true in the past, casinos are in the business of making money and they spend plenty of it to guarantee their equipment is in working order. A working machine is the only way a casino can be sure they always have the advantage.

With just a few hours of research and practice, you can familiarize yourself with the wheel in conjunction with the roulette table and bet odds. Understanding the ways in which the ball can land will give you a better idea in regards to your betting options and payouts. Knowing what bets have larger payouts will also help you determine what bets are likely to produce winning results. Before you hit a live roulette table, be sure you’re more than familiar with the roulette wheel to optimize your betting experience.

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