HOW TO PLAY ROULETTE

Roulette is one of our favourite games at Guts New Zealand. It’s difficult to beat the sheer thrill of watching the wheel spin, especially on our top-quality live roulette games from the likes of Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play. Kiwis have several options right at their fingertips, but you’ll need to know a little about roulette tips and how to play before getting stuck in.

The classic casino game originated in the 1700s when the French physicist and mathematician Blaise Pascal was searching for a perpetual motion machine. This mutated into an early Italian form called Biribi before roulette swept across France and Central Europe. The game was responsible for a massive casino popularity explosion in the 1800s, forcing several state authorities to outlaw it.

Nowadays, playing roulette is easy, especially here at Guts NZ. Kiwis only have six land-based casinos to play roulette in across New Zealand. Fortunately, we can help you recreate the experience with several live roulette options. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to how to play roulette and successful strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find something useful!

Roulette Wheel Rules

The basic premise behind playing roulette is rather simple. Players try to predict which value the ball will land on after the wheel stops spinning. A traditional roulette wheel has numbers from 1 to 36 with one extra pocket marked as 0. One thing to bear in mind here is that the American roulette wheel has another 00 segment. This doubles the house edge, a key reason why most roulette enthusiasts prefer the European version.

Several players can place stakes on a roulette wheel simultaneously, offering a slightly more communal experience than card games like blackjack or baccarat. The game is orchestrated by a croupier or dealer, who is in charge of spinning the wheel and recording the bets made.

Roulette betting is a fundamental part of the game to understand. There is very little you can do to influence where the ball will land, so all the tactical elements come from the different wagers on offer.

A separate betting mat is used for the stakes. These can look slightly different depending on the location and type of game you’re playing. Nevertheless, there will always be specific numbers from 0-36 in a grid and several side options to bet on. We’ll outline the specifics in the next section.

An Outline of Roulette Bets

You have a fantastic array of options regarding roulette bets. There aren’t many more casino games with more choices, making roulette great for tactical betting and advanced gambling strategy. Generally speaking, you can split the available bets in two sections:

Inside Bets

Inside bets are statistically less likely to win, although the payouts are higher as a result. You will see a middle grid of numbers from 0-36 on the roulette betting table. This is where to place inside wagers. Here are your main options:

• Straight: A straight bet, known as En Plein in the traditional French, is a bet on one single number. Place your chip on the relevant square to action this wager. The odds are 35 to 1, making it the least likely roulette bet to payout.
• Split: You are allowed to place a split bet on two adjacent numbers on the grid. This pays 17-1 if the ball lands on either.
• Street: A street bet covers three numbers on the same row. Place your chip on the edge of the row to make it. Street bet odds are 11-1.
• Corner: A corner bet revolves around, you guessed it, the corner of the grid. Place your chip on a corner shared by four numbers for a potential 8-1 payout.

Outside Bets

The available outside bets are always listed on the edge of the roulette betting table. These wagers are more likely to win as they cover more numbers. Just bear in mind the payouts will be less. The main outside bet choices include:

• Column: You can bet on a whole column of numbers using this type of bet, covering 12 roulette wheel pockets. This bet pays 2-1, and you generally have a 33.33% chance of success.
• Dozens: These wagers cover three dozens from 1-36. You can either choose 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. Dozens bets also pay 2-1. Odd/Even: This is a straight choice between odd or even numbers. There is just below a 50% chance of success either way, with a 1-1 payout if you choose correctly.
• Red/Black: Similar to odd/even, red/black bets allow players to predict what colour the ball will land on.
• 1-18/19-36: Lastly, you may also bet on 1-18 or 19-36. Effectively splitting the grid into two.

Step-by-Step: How to Play Roulette

Getting your head around the rules is a key part of learning how to play roulette. It’s fairly straightforward to understand, and so is the overall playing process. Stay with us for a quick step-by-step. It will teach beginners how to play and offers advanced players a refresher before we get into some expert roulette strategy. This is how an average live roulette game works at Guts:

1. Choose a roulette option from our casino roulette
2. Select your chip size
3. Place a bet before the time limit runs out (for options like Speed Roulette, you won’t have long at all)
4. Wait for the croupier to spin the wheel
5. Cross your fingers and hope the ball lands in the right pocket!

Expert Roulette Tips & Tricks

One of the main reasons roulette is so universally adored is its simplicity. It is effortless to learn compared to games like poker, so you can spend more time implementing an optimal strategy. Learn some expert tips before you enjoy some of our a-grade live roulette options:

• Stay Away From American Roulette: The American roulette wheel has an additional zero value, which doubles the house edge to 5.25%. As a result, you’ll have much more luck on average on a European roulette wheel.
• Manage Your Funds: Bankroll management is crucial during a live roulette game. It's easy to get carried away on this exciting game, so remember to keep strict control of your bankroll.
• Consider Multiple Bets: Most roulette games allow players to place more than one bet on each round. While you won’t be able to use this tactic all the time, it can be a great way to boost your chances of winning. Remember that your losses from the other bets will eat away at your winnings.

Don’t Forget About Our Other Casino Guides

Guts NZ is on a mission to help Kiwis enjoy casino gaming as much as possible. In the article above, we’ve helped you learn the roulette basics alongside some expert strategies to help you increase your chances of winning. Roulette not your cup of tea? Don’t worry, as we have plenty of other casino guides to take advantage of. For example, check out our baccarat guide.