A small ball (mostly of ivory or metal) spinning around a wheel that contains thirty-seven slots in the opposite direction is the beginning of playing roulette. When the wheel stops, the ball comes to rest in one of these slots. The gamblers around the table are trying to predict the slot in which the ball will land. By predicting the right number, you earn a payoff on your bet. The pockets in which the ball lands are all of identical size and the pocket partitions are of the same height. The fact that the center and the ball travel in different directions makes it almost impossible to control the result. The ball bounces over various obstacles, depending on the specific wheel design, which further guarantees random selection.

There are different bet options and the size of the payoff depends on how the bet was placed:

Column Bet

There are three boxes on the short side of the roulette table. These boxes are marked "2 to 1." Each box signifies the twelve numbers above it. By placing your chip in one of these boxes, you mark all of the twelve numbers above it (0 and 00 excluded). If the ball stops at any one of these numbers, you have a win. This bet pays 2 to 1.

Corner Bet

Corner bets are the same as street bets only they cover four numbers. The chip is placed on the cross where the four numbers meet. If the ball stops on either one of the four numbers it is a win. The corner bet pays 8 to 1.

Dozens Bet

It is possible to bet on a group of twelve numbers by placing your chip in one of the three boxes marked "1st 12," "2nd 12," or "3rd 12." A winning dozen bet pays 2 to 1.

Fifty Percent Bets

On the left, long side of the table there are three boxes. Each one of them covers half of the numbers on the roulette wheel (not including 0 and 00) in a different way. Your bet is a 50% bet between red and black or even and off or high and low, depending on the box. These bets pay even money, 1 to 1.

Five Bet

This bet covers the following numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. The chip is placed on the outer right boundary line of the roulette table, between 00 and 3. If either number hits, your five bets pays 6 to 1.

Line Bet

A line bet covers the six different numbers in two rows of three numbers. For example: 1,2,3 together with 4,5,6. You place the chip on outer right boundary line of the roulette table, where the line dividing the two rows intersects it. If the ball stops at any one of the six numbers you chose, it is a win. The line bet pays 5 to 1.

Split Bet

This is a bet placed on two neighboring numbers in the roulette table, this is done by placing the chip on the line dividing the two numbers. If the ball stops on any one of the two numbers, your bet pays 17 to 1.

Straight Up

This is a straightforward simple bet. You put your chips on a single number, including zero (0) and double zero (00). If the ball stops at your number, your bet pays 35 to 1.

Street Bet

Street bets cover three numbers. You place your chip on the outer right boundary line of the roulette table, next to the corresponding row of three numbers. If the ball stops on any one of the three numbers you win. This bet pays 11 to 1.