Archive for category Articles
How To Win At Roulette
The fact is there isn’t really much you can do to consistently win at roulette. There are lots of roulette systems that claim they can teach you how to win at roulette, but I wouldn’t bet on their results. Unlike blackjack or poker, roulette is completely independent of your actions or previous rounds. Don’t be suckered in by systems that sounds good in theory, they don’t tend to work in practice.
If you’re in the United States and you’re playing roulette then you’re probably playing at an American wheel with both single and double zeros. For this kind of wheel, playing with standard Vegas betting rules the casino has a 5.26% edge. One way to increase your chances at roulette is to look for single zero wheels (European wheels), where the house edge is reduced to 2.7%. In the United States these are often only found in high roller areas. However, they can be commonly found online and outside of the US.
If you can’t find a single zero roulette table then any betting systems you decide to use should have similar results. Simply find a system you’re comfortable with and that seems to work for you. The only bet you should be sure to avoid is the five number bet, 0-00-1-2-3. This bet is only found on double zero tables and has a house edge of 7.89%.
The most important thing to remember when playing roulette is that the house always carries a significant advantage. This means that the longer you play the more likely you’ll end up in the negative. If you have a lucky run and make some money then walk away before the casino takes back your winnings. Also set your loss limit before sitting down to play. Don’t get caught up in the action and lose more than you can afford. Roulette is a pure game of odds, so good luck and remember you’re there to have fun.
How To Play Roulette
Lesson 1: The Basics
Roulette is not a very difficult game to learn how to play and it can be very fun and rewarding. In roulette the players play against the house by betting on the outcome of colored numbers on a wheel. The casino is represented by a croupier, also known as the dealer or banker, who spins the roulette wheel and handles all wagers and payouts. After you place your bets, the dealer spins a small white ball in the opposite direction of the turning wheel. When the ball comes to rest in one of the slots, the dealer will call out the winning number and settle all bets. To win at roulette a player must predict where the ball will land at the end of each spin.
The roulette wheel itself has 37 or 38 numbered slots, numbered 1 through 36, zero, and sometimes double zero. The double zero is only on American roulette wheels. Even numbers are colored red and odd numbers are colored black. Zero and double zero sections are green. The house advantage is 2.7% for single zero tables (European wheel) and 5.26% for double zero tables (American wheel).
A roulette table usually accommodates 6 to 8 players at one time. Each player is assigned a different color chip to place bets with. This is done to keep track of which player is placing each bet. When you initially put down your money the croupier will give you a corresponding number of chips in one color. Each colored chip represents one betting unit for the denomination roulette table you are playing on. If the table is a $1 table then each chip in worth $1. When you win you will be paid in colored chips until you are ready to collect your winnings and move on.
If you’re just passing through and you want to place a quick bet on a certain number or on one of the other areas of the layout, you don’t have to ask the croupier for a color. It is perfectly acceptable to put the house’s chips, or even cash, down on the layout. If you win you will be paid in casino chips. However, if you’re planning to play awhile it’s best to sit down and get a color.
There are several different bets in roulette. There are bets on individual numbers or groupings of numbers, called “inside bets”. There are also more general bets on large sets of numbers, called “outside bets”. These are discussed in more detail in the next lessons.
As you play you will need to meet the posted minimum bet requirement. If the minimum bet is one dollar and you are playing 25-cent chips you need to play at least four chips bringing your total bet to $1. Many tables separate the outside from the inside when meeting the minimum bet requirements which means you are not allowed to split the minimum bet between the inside and outside betting areas. If you chose to play both you must meet the minimum both inside and outside. For example, on a $1 minimum table you must play at least $2 if you want to play both the inside and the outside betting areas, at least $1 inside and at least $1 outside. Also, each individual outside bet must usually meet the minimum requirement. If you want to bet on Even and Red you must bet at least $1 on each bet.
Players place their bets on the roulette table themselves before each spin. A few moments after the croupier starts the spin the ball will begin to drop. At this point he will call “no more bets” and wave his hand across the table. No more bets can be placed and the bets on the table cannot be changed in any way. If you try to touch your bet after this point the croupier will not be very happy with you.
When the ball drops onto a number the croupier will place a plastic marker on the winning number on the roulette table, collect losing bets and pay winning bets. You must wait until the croupier removes the plastic marker before picking up any winnings or placing the next bet. Not being patient and waiting is another good way to get on the croupier’s bad side. Roulette tends to be much slower paced than most casino games.
Always remember that roulette play is completely random and has nothing to do with any previous spin outcomes. Just because red came up the previous six times doesn’t mean black is “due” to come up. The roulette wheel is completely unbiased, has no memory, and no target payout percentage.
Slot Machine Strategy
The truth is there is no winning slot machine strategy. Players have no way to influence the outcome of any spin of a slot machine. Anyone who tells you they have a winning slot machine strategy is either confused or lying. There are some basic guidelines to help improve your chances at the slots. These will be discussed in this course.
First and foremost is to know what game you’re playing. There are countless varieties and variations on the basic slot machine. Each has it’s own set of rules and jackpots. Even if a machine looks familiar you should still read through the posted game rules before playing.
Set your limits before you start. There are two important limits you should have in place before sitting down to play. One is your overall loss limit. Know how much you are comfortable losing and stick to that limit. Casinos are experts at getting people to part with more money than they’d like to. A preset limit can help you avoid this. The other limit is a spin with no payoff limit, usually three or four spins. If a machine isn’t paying you there’s no reason to waste your money on it. Remember you’re looking for the machine with the highest payout percentage (see How To Play Slot Machines). Also remember that when a machine isn’t paying out this doesn’t mean it’s any more ready for a jackpot. Every spin is random and independent of past spins.
Never leave a machine that owes you money. This one seems obvious but it happens a fair amount. A slot machine will sometimes run out of money before it is finished paying you. Sit tight and wait for an attendant to come by. Also, don’t try to play more on the machine until you are paid. Continuing to play could erase the evidence of your unfinished payout.
Make sure your comp card is working. Without question you should always use a comp card when playing slots. You earn points for wonderful free stuff with no risk and no loss to you. Sometimes a machine will momentarily lose its connection with your card. Periodically check to make sure you are still earning points.
There are a lot of myths about slot machines; a sure fire winning slot machine strategy is one of them. Your chances of hitting a jackpot are completely random. Keep that in mind when you’re playing. If you get discouraged or upset with a machine, either move on or take a break for a while. It’s a game and, above all else, you should have a good time playing.