Roulette Play

Roulette Play: Frequently Asked Questions answers some of the most interesting questions about the game of roulette and those who play it. Whether you already know the answers or not, you’re sure to find our responses useful, and they could well help new players to avoid losing a small fortune...

What is the most played number on a roulette wheel?
In real life, roulette dealers with will tell you the number 17, followed by the zeros (0, 00) are the most played numbers. The reason why 17 is so popular is that it is situated right in the middle of the table layout and everyone can reach it.

Fictional life is a bit different, and if you watch movies on gambling you’ll see that another number emerges as being very popular. In the three most famous movies where roulette plays an integral part, Casablanca, the Sting, and Lost in America, the only number depicted was 22. There is no obvious reason why 22 should be more prominent than any other, but it’s an interesting fact for pub quiz fans.

What happens if I add chips to my bet without realising that the dealer has already called no more bets?
If you’re lucky, the dealer will accept that you have made a mistake and let you off, allowing you to remove the added chips without him taking the matter further. If you’re unlucky, your action could be interpreted as an attempt to cap your bets, which means piling extra chips on top of your initial bet after the ball had dropped. Casinos consider this a serious form of cheating, and if you’re accused of capping your bets you would be ejected from the casino. You might even be locked up in a jail cell for while. The lesson here is clear – pay attention and don’t add chips when the dealer has called no more bets.

Are roulette games in an offline casino always recoded on video?
The video cameras concealed in those large plastic smoke-coloured domes suspended from the ceiling can scan every square inch of a casino. They can even zoom in and read the serial number off a twenty pound note. These cameras are manned 24 hours a day from a control booth by trained surveillance employees.

Cameras are usually focussed on progressive slot machines, the cashier's cage, counting rooms, table games, and on any other places where being observed might help discourage larceny. What the casino doesn't have is a crew of 200 people staffing 200 cameras and reviewing 200 recordings. Consequently, not everything that goes on in a casino can be filmed for possible review.

What happens if someone else claims my chips as his when I’ve just won?
Assuming you speak up to the dealer immediately, the pit boss will usually be called to help settle the dispute. If the dealer noticed that you had both been placing a different type of bet for half an hour or so, he may make a decision based on that betting history. For example, if you had been betting on even money shots and the other person had been betting on the numbers 7 and 11, chips on the even money shot would probably be assigned to you. However, if the dealer has not noticed any particular pattern, either because there hasn’t been one or because the table is too busy, the pit boss will usually check to see if the game has been recorded. If so, the recording will be used to determine who owns the chips in question. Unfortunately. If the game has not been recorded the pit boss will have to reach the best decision he can based on the information available. In this case one or both of you could well be disappointed.

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