The Best Roulette Sites in Ireland

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the complex strategies of card games or just feel like a game of pure chance would brighten your evening, then Roulette is the game for you. Roulette is a game favored by casinos around the world, and while it does have its own strategies, it remains a straightforward game with its own set of rules and secrets to success.

This in-depth guide will introduce you to the world of Roulette, covering its history, mechanics, and betting strategies. Whether you're a newcomer or just looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide is the perfect starting point.

The name "Roulette" comes from the French word for "little wheel," and the game was invented in France during the 18th century. It evolved from a combination of an Italian numbers game and a spinning wheel game. Some speculate that we owe the game to the physicist Blaise Pascal, whose attempt to create a "perpetual motion machine" laid the groundwork for the Roulette wheel.

However, Pascal never succeeded in creating such a machine, and he certainly never intended for it to be used in gambling.

For several centuries, Roulette was played without a zero on the wheel. It wasn't until the 19th century that the zero was added by Francois and Louis Blanc, giving the house a slight edge and allowing them to compete with other casinos. While it might not seem like a big deal, this addition significantly altered the game by increasing the house advantage (more on that later).

When the game made its way to America, the house's advantage grew even more. As Roulette spread westward into the casinos of old American towns, a double zero and an Eagle square were added to the wheel, further tipping the odds in favor of the house.

Eventually, the Eagle square was removed from American Roulette tables, and the modern wheel now features only numbered slots along with special pockets outside the main grid (more on that below).

As Roulette became more popular, particularly in its double-zero form, the wheel was moved to the head of the table to prevent cheating, both by players and the house. Today, hundreds of Roulette wheels can be found in casinos around the world. The double-zero wheels, originally invented by the French, are still used in the United States, South America, Canada, and the Caribbean. In most other places, you’ll encounter the single-zero version.

The dealer starts each round by opening the table for bets. Before the betting closes, players must place their chips on the grid that corresponds to the numbers on the Roulette wheel and the special betting areas outside the main grid. Before diving into the rules, here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind:

• Never place a bet after the dealer has closed betting.
• Never touch the marker or the wheel during the game.
• Do not handle other players' chips or the chips on losing bets; only the dealer should manage the chips.

With that out of the way, let's explore the basic rules of Roulette.

For simplicity, let’s assume we’re playing American Roulette, which includes two zero pockets. Keep in mind that other versions might not have two zeros.

The wheel has alternating black and red pockets numbered 1 to 36. Additionally, there are two green zero pockets: a single zero and a double zero. The betting table not only has spots for all these numbers but also additional areas where you can place bets on different combinations (more on that later).

The basic sequence of a Roulette game is as follows:

1. The dealer opens the table for bets.
2. Players choose a number or a group of numbers to bet on.
3. Chips are placed on the corresponding sections of the betting table.
4. The dealer closes the betting and spins the wheel.
5. The dealer announces the winning number and pays out the winners according to the odds.

The game then repeats from step one.

Now that you know the basic flow of the game, the next step is understanding the different types of bets and the strategies behind them. There are different odds for each bet, determining how much you win when the ball lands in your chosen pocket.

Generally, there are three types of bets we'll cover: Inside bets, Outside bets, and Announced bets. Each has its own odds and strategies, depending on your level of expertise.

Types of Bets

Understanding the mechanics is just the beginning. To truly play Roulette, you need to know how each type of bet works and how to use them based on your experience.

There are more than just three types of Roulette bets. Depending on how you categorize them—including casino-specific bets and those exclusive to European casinos—there could be as many as 20 different types of bets.

This guide will focus on the three most common (and advantageous) types of bets and explain their subtypes so you can get a general understanding of the options available when placing your bets.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are what most people think of when they consider Roulette betting. These are the bets placed within the rectangular grid on the table that contains all the numbers. Inside bets cover a variety of subcategories, depending on how you want to play the odds.

• Straight Up: This is the simplest bet, where you place your chips on a single number and hope the ball lands on it. The odds of winning are 35:1, which is also the payout.
• Split: A Split bet involves placing your chips on the line between two adjacent numbers, such as 27|30. If the ball lands on either number, you win. Since you have double the chances of winning compared to a Straight Up bet, the payout is lower at 17:1.
• Trio: Also known as a Street bet, this involves placing your chips on three consecutive numbers, such as 34, 35, and 36. The odds of winning are 11:1.
• Other Inside Bets: These include Line, Corner, Five Number, and Snake bets. Each of these bets involves placing chips on a specific combination of numbers within the grid, with varying payouts based on the odds of winning.

Outside Bets

Outside bets are placed outside the main grid and cover larger sections of the wheel. These bets generally offer better odds but lower payouts.

• Red/Black: This bet is as straightforward as it sounds. You place your chips on either the red or black section, and you win if the ball lands on a number of that color. While it seems like a 50/50 bet, remember the green 0 and 00 pockets reduce your chances slightly.
• Odd/Even: This bet involves wagering on whether the winning number will be odd or even, regardless of color. Again, the green pockets slightly decrease your chances.
• High/Low: This bet covers numbers 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high). It’s another 50/50 bet with a slight house edge due to the green pockets.
• Column or Dozen: You can bet on one of the three columns of numbers on the table, which pays out at 2:1. Similarly, you can bet on a dozen numbers in sequence, also paying out at 2:1.

Announced Bets

Announced bets are less common, especially for beginners, and are typically found in European casinos. These bets are verbally announced to the dealer rather than placing chips on the table.

• Zero Game: This bet covers numbers surrounding the single zero on the wheel and requires multiple Split and Straight Up bets.
• Neighbors of Zero: This bet covers the 17 numbers surrounding the single zero on a European wheel, requiring at least nine chips placed on various splits, straights, and corners.‍
• Final Bet: This bet involves wagering on the last digit of numbers. For example, betting on "8" would include 8, 18, and 28.

Roulette is a game that’s easy to play but challenging to master. Hopefully, this guide has given you a solid foundation to start learning about the different bets, how to play as a beginner, and how to develop your strategies as you gain experience.

The key to mastering Roulette lies in understanding probability and how different bet types affect your odds. While the game may appear simple, the variety of betting options allows for a complex and engaging experience. Just remember to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. When played wisely, Roulette can be a thrilling and enjoyable game.