Knowing which type of bet to make is important for players who want to hodl their own at the roulette table.

Each table will carry a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets at the table. For example, it might read, 'Roulette. $5 minimum inside bets, $5 minimum outside bets. $1,000 maximum outside, $100 maximum inside.' Table maximums usually are lower on inside bets because of the higher payoffs offered. The odds are exactly the same as on outside bets, but most casinos are loath to risk losing $35,000 at one shot on a $1,000 bet on one number.

House edge on red and black roulette bets. The house edge represents the percentage of total money wagered a player can expect to lose over time in any given casino game. For example: if the house edge is 10 per cent, a punter will lose around $10 out of every $100 staked in the long run.

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Though the listed minimums for inside and outside bets are likely to be the same, they don't mean the same thing. A player betting the $5 minimum on inside bets is allowed to spread five $1 chips around on different bets on the inside. However, the minimum for outside bets means the player must wager the entire $5 on each outside bet. Betting $1 on evens, $1 on red, $1 on the first 12, $1 on the first 18, and $1 on the first column doesn't satisfy the minimum.

The player may make any of the bets by placing a chip or chips on the appropriate spot. However, the size of the table may make it difficult to reach some betting areas. To place a bet you can't reach, put the chips on the table and ask the dealer to put them on the desired bet for you. If you aren't sure how to make outside or inside bets, check the information below.

Outside Bets

Red or black: There are 18 numbers with red backgrounds and 18 with black backgrounds. A bet on red pays off if the ball stops in the slot by any of the 18 red numbers; a bet on black pays off if the ball lands on any of the black numbers. A winning red or black bet pays even money -- the player keeps the original bet and gets an equal amount in winnings.

Odd or even: Another even-money bet. The player is betting that either one of the 18 odd numbers (1, 3, 5, and so forth) or one of the 18 even numbers (2, 4, 6, and so forth) will be chosen.

1 through 18, 19 through 36: Also for even money, a bet on whether the ball will stop on any of the first 18 numbers or any of the last 18 numbers.

The house gets its edge from 0 and 00 -- they are neither red nor black, neither odd nor even, neither part of the first 18 nor the last 18. If the ball lands on 0 or 00, all even-money bets -- in fact, all outside bets -- lose.

In casinos offering a French wheel with the en prison rule, the player does not lose an even money bet when the 0 comes up. Instead, the bet is 'in prison' -- the player does not lose the wager, but it remains in effect for the next spin. If the bet wins on the next spin, it is released, and the player may pull it back. The bet may not remain in prison on consecutive spins -- a second consecutive 0 makes the bet a loser. This is a very favorable rule for the player, and one that is rare in the United States.

Dozens: Wagers on the first 12 numbers, second 12, or third 12 pay 2-1.

Columns: Wagers on any of the three columns on the grid pay 2-1. Because the grid is arranged in 12 rows of three consecutive numbers (1-2-3 is the first row, 4-5-6 the second, and so on), each number in a column is three higher than the one before.

Inside Bets

Single number: Bets on individual numbers, including 0 and 00, are placed by putting a chip or chips fully inside a numbered box. If a single-number bet hits, it pays 35-1. (Remember, however, that the true odds are 37-1.)

Split: This is a wager on two numbers, and it pays 17-1. Make a split bet by placing a chip so that it straddles the line between two numbers.

Street: A three-number bet, paying 11-1, is made by placing a chip on the line separating outside bets from the inside, indicating a row of three consecutive numbers.

Corner: A chip is placed at the intersection of a horizontal line with a vertical line inside the layout. This indicates a bet on the four adjacent numbers, and it pays 8-1.

Five-number: For the worst bet on the table, place a chip so that it lies on the line separating the inside from the outside, while straddling the horizontal line between 0-00 and 1-2-3. This bet pays 6-1 and carries a 7.89 percent house edge. The five-number bet does not exist on the French wheel because of the absence of 00.

Roulette Black Or Red Odds

Double street: Just as on the street bet, place a chip on the line separating the outside from the inside, but let it straddle the horizontal line between two rows. That gives you six numbers in two consecutive three-number rows, and the bet pays 5-1.

Special note: Watch for your payoffs. On winning inside bets, most dealers will push the winnings to you but leave the original bet in place. After the dealer has finished payoffs and is ready for the next round of bets, it is up to you to move the original bet if you do not want to make the same wager. Some dealers will leave the winnings on the layout, and if you do not wish to bet it all on the next spin, you must remove it. It is common for the dealer to leave the winnings on outside bets next to the original bet. It is up to you to move the chips when the dealer is ready.

In the diagram, look closely at the middle row. From numbers 2-35, there are 8 black numbers (2, 8, 11, 17, 20, 26, 29, and 35) and only 4 red numbers. This system looks to take advantage of this.

The Green-Black Attack Roulette system works on a double zero North American wheel but is even more fun on a single zero European wheel, especially when “en Prison or la partage” is offered and a player may recoup half of any even-money bet. We always advise to play on a European wheel where possible.

Regardless of which wheel type is in action, the numbers 1-36 are always arranged in the same manner on the layout. There are 6 red and thus 6 black in each section (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) but they aren’t always red-black-red-black. If you are betting on either color, they will hit on the wheel with the same frequency, just as your bet will likely hit with equal frequency when you bet on a section (1-12, 13-24, 25-36). However, something different occurs with the columns.

If you stand at the long end of the table with the wheel at the top, the three columns run vertically in front of you. The column to the left starts with 1 at the top, the middle column starts with number 2, and the far right column starts with number 3.

Now comes the interesting part; Column 1 has six black numbers: 4, 10, 13, 22, 28, and 31. Column 3 had only four black numbers: 6, 15, 24, and 33. Column 2, the mighty middle, has eight black numbers: 2, 8, 11, 17, 20, 26, 29, and 35.

The System- Single Zero Wheel

This is a very easy system to employ and you simply take advantage of the many black numbers in the middle column. In addition to placing a wager on the middle column, you will also place a wager on black, and three split bets with “0”.

Assuming your roulette table has a minimum bet of $5 on the outside and three chips on the inside numbers ($1 per chip); you will start with a $104 buy-in. Wagers start with the smallest bet allowed: $5 on the middle column, $5 on black, and place your three $1 chips on splits with zero covering 1, 2, 0 plus 2, 0 and 2, 3, 0.

In this manner you have covered black numbers and green, therefore only 12 red numbers are your enemy and you still get a nibble if 1 or 3 comes up. Your first bet total is 13 units ($13) and there are several outcomes that will present themselves:

Red on an outside column and not number 1 or 3: You lose all wagers. Repeat the minimum wagers and hope for a better spin.

Red number 1 or 3: You lose your black and middle wagers plus two of your three inside bets, but your return is $11 so your overall loss is just $2. Repeat your previous wagers.

Black on an outside column: You win $5 on black, lose $5 on the middle column, and lose $3 on the inside for an overall loss of $3. Repeat your previous wagers.

Red And Black Roulette Betting Strategy

Middle column red: You lose your black and inside wagers but have a small profit from the middle column bet. Repeat your previous wagers.

Middle column black but not number 2: You win your $5 black wager, win $10 (2 to 1) on the middle column, and lose $3 inside bets for a win of $12. Anytime this happens add $1 to the black and middle column bets.

Middle number 2 spins: You win black, middle, and a split (numbers 2 and 0) for a profit of $30. Anytime this happens add $2 to each winning bet.

Zero spins: You lose your black and middle bets, but your three inside bets return $39 for a profit of $29. Anytime this happens add $1 to each inside bet and your black and middle bets.

Double Zero Wheel

As with the single zero wheel, you start with a $104 bankroll. You also go back to your original, lowest wager anytime red spins, or your previous wager when 1 or 3 spins. For all other spins with a small loss you repeat your previous wagers. Any spin with a profit you increase your wagers slightly.

This system will most likely grind you down slowly when red is busy, or keep you even for long periods of time when black repeats with any regularity. Once your bankroll is doubled you have the option of quitting with a nice win, or taking some of that profit and going for a big score.

If you want to try and double-up again, increase the outside black wagers $5 and inside bets $1 with every profitable spin. A few streaks of black, especially if they congregate on middle numbers, can boost your table stake considerably.