Roulette is a casino game that consists of this beautifully crafted wooden wheel. On the wheel are slots, or pockets. The number of pockets depends solely on the version of roulette you are playing. There are black and red numbers from 1-36 and a single 0, and in American roulette, a 00 also.

There are croupiers and dealers that spin the metal ball in the groove above the roulette wheel. The centrifugal force keeps the metal ball running in the opposite direction from the wheel until it slows down enough and drops into one of the pockets. It really is that simple!

If you look at the roulette betting table, or the "layout" it is quite simple too. There are many places for you to place a bet, but it is pretty logical. There are two major types of bets: inside and outside, with the inside offering bigger payouts and much tougher odds.

For example if you choose your lucky number 11, then put your bet on the 11 spot for a "straight-up". "Split" your bet by placing it between the 11 and 14 on the line between. You can bet on a "street", which is three numbers horizontal, like the 10, 11, and 12. Bet on four numbers in a "square" or corner by placing the chip at the four numbers intersection like 7, 8, 10, 11. (you see I have to keep my lucky number 11 in the mix.)

A "six-line" is a bet on two streets. Bet a "trio" on a single zero wheel which is a 0, 1, 2 or 0, 2, 3. On a double zero wheel you can bet a "basket" which is a bet on 0, 1, 2; 00, 2 3; or 0, 00, 2 by placing that bet on the intersecting "basket" of your choice. The last inside bet is a "top line" where the bet is made on the 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.

There are eight options listed above for the inside bets, but they are easy to remember once you start playing and quite easy to see on the roulette layout. Outside bets are even easier to play, and for that, your return is considerably less. These outside bets have their own spots to easily place your bet. Look for the boxes to place a "1-18" bet or a "19-36" bet. You can bet on a "red or black" pocket being hit. There are also boxes for you to bet on the "even" or the "odd" numbers. Bet on the whole "column" of 12 numbers on a vertical number line being hit. The last option for the outside bet is the "dozen bet" where you can bet on the first (ex. 1-12), second (13-24) or third (25-36) of the numbers to be hit.

It is super easy to understand as you follow the layout and watch the play unfold in front of you. As always with roulette, as there are several variations, it is vital that you understand which variation you are sitting at as it affects all aspects of play.