Understanding Roulette Odds

A complete basic strategy chart provides more detailed advice. Player's Score
Dealer Shows Low Card
Dealer's Upcard is 7-Ace




17-20 (Hard)
Stay
Stand


13-16 (Hard)
Hold
Hit


12 (Hard)
Stand
Take Card


11
Double
Double


10
Double Down
Draw



Note: This is a simplified table.

The aim is simple: get a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. While luck always plays a part, grasping basic strategy can lower the house edge and boost your chances of winning. Playing Smarter, Not Harder
Blackjack is one of the few casino (try here) games where skill can significantly impact the outcome.

Roulette Differences

European Roulette: Features numbers 1-36 and a single zero (0). The extra pocket nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%. The house edge is 2.7%. For this reason, informed players always prefer European or casino, the full report, French Roulette when available. American Roulette: Features numbers 1-36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00). Let's look at the probabilities and casino (www.urbavital.com) payouts for casino [the full report] common bets on a European wheel. French Roulette: Similar to European Roulette, but includes rules like "La Partage" or "En Prison" that can reduce the house edge on even-money bets to as low as 1.35%.

Without proper management, even a skilled bettor can go broke quickly. Playing Smart with Your Money
Effective bankroll management is perhaps the most important skill a gambler can possess. It's the practice of managing the capital you've set aside for gambling to withstand losing streaks and maximize playing time. The core principle is to never risk a significant portion of your total bankroll on a single bet or session.

Tips for Responsible Gaming

Set a Budget: Only gamble with money you can manage to lose. Set Time Limits: Decide beforehand how long you will play and stick to it. Gamble with a Clear Mind: Avoid playing when you are depressed or under the influence of alcohol. Many casinos and regulatory bodies offer tools to help players. Here are some common responsible gambling features. Trying to win back lost money often leads to bigger losses. Know the Rules: Understand the games you are playing and the odds involved. Never use money meant for bills, rent, or other essentials. Don't Chase Losses: casino Accepting a loss is part of the game.

Cracking the Code of the Wheel
Roulette is a game of pure chance, but its outcomes are governed by the laws of probability. The key element is the "house edge," which is the casino's built-in advantage. Understanding the math behind the wheel can't change the odds, but it can help you make more informed decisions and appreciate the game on a deeper level.

Bet
To make the first wager in a betting round. Fold
To forfeit your hand and any money already in the pot. Call
To match the amount of the current bet to stay in the hand. Move
Meaning




Check
To pass the action to the next player without betting. Raise
To increase the amount of the current bet, forcing other players to call the new, casino higher amount. Only possible if no bet has been made in the current round. Learning these basics is the first step on your road to becoming a competent poker player. You are out until the next hand begins.

Amount Won
Venue
Year
Machine




$39.7 Million
Excalibur, Las Vegas
2003
Megabucks


$34.9 Million
Desert Inn, Las Vegas
2000
Megabucks


$27.5 Million
Palace Station, Las Vegas
1998
Megabucks


$21.3 Million
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
1999
Megabucks



These stories are exciting, but it's important to remember they are extremely rare exceptions to the rule. Always gamble responsibly.

Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive one more card. The essential to basic strategy is knowing which action to take based on your hand and the dealer's upcard. Stand: Keep your current hand and end your turn. Split: If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. Surrender: Forfeit half your bet and end the hand (not always available). Here is a simplified decision table. Your Moves

Hit: Request another card.

Wager Kind
Numbers Covered
Return
Probability of Winning




Straight Up
1
35 to 1
2.70%


Split
2
17 to 1
5.41%


Street
3
11 to 1
8.11%


Column/Dozen
12
2 to 1
32.43%


Red/Black (Even Money)
18
1 to 1
48.65%



Notice how the probability of winning is always slightly less than what a "fair" payout would be. That difference is where the casino makes its revenue.

Smith, the founder of FedEx, famously saved his company in its early days by taking its last $5,000 to Las Vegas. Famous Big Wins

The Excalibur Jackpot: In 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles visited the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The FedEx Founder: Frederick W. He played blackjack and won $27,000, which was enough to cover the company's $24,000 fuel bill and keep it afloat. The World Series of Poker Champion: casino (the full report) In 2003, an amateur poker player named Chris Moneymaker turned a $86 online satellite tournament entry into a $2.5 million win at the World Series of Poker Main Event. He put $100 into a Megabucks slot machine and walked away with an astonishing $39.7 million, the largest slot jackpot in history. His victory is credited with starting the "poker boom."


Here’s a look at some of the largest recorded slot machine jackpots.