There is probably no other casino game so simple yet so seemingly aloof. There are two considerations for two main possibilities: where and how much? The rules are hard and fast, with the game moving at a pace that makes it easy to understand the strategies and outcomes. Compared to fast-action, multi-bet craps, baccarat moves at a snail's pace. Thought of in a different light, this is a game of heads and tails, with one other wrinkle, the Tie. There are only three choices on which to bet: Player, Banker, or Tie. The outcome of the game features no other options. Player offers odds of 1.23% and Banker odds 1.06%. There are subtle game variations, but this is how the game is played: eight decks are thoroughly shuffled by a dealer sitting in the middle of a large oval table with six to eight spots on either side. The mathematics of the dictates the Banker hand will win 44.8% of the time, the Player hand will win 44.6%, with the Ties winning 9.6%. With Ties excluded, the Bank wins 50.7% as opposed to 49.3% for the Player. This difference accounts for the 5% commission commonly charged by the casino to offset the Banker's winnings.Some casinos make the commission a bit more attractive at 4%, but that is usuallya short-term promotion. The commission can be paid at any time during the game,but if it hasn't been dealt with prior to the end of the game, after the lasthand in the shoe is dealt, the dealer will ask that each player settle up. Youmay also be asked to pay if and when you leave the table for any reason. Baccarat has rituals which are descended from the European games of "En Banque" or "Chemin de Fer." In the traditional game, there can be up to three dealers, each responsible for a different function or table area. In most casinos, eight decks are employed with the cards shuffled then dealt from a shoe, beginning with an initial "burn" sequence similar to blackjack. The object of the game is to choose the side, "Banker" or "Player" which finishes closest to a total of 9, with 8 the next best possible hand.Two cards are drawn face down for Player and two for Banker, in this order, Player,Banker, Player Banker. Player's cards are turned over or exposed first, thenBanker. Tens and face cards or royals have a value of zero. An ace counts asone. If either side has a total of 9, or 8, with the two exposed cards, it iscalled a "natural" with 9 winning automatically and 8 if there is no nine onthe other side. Failing this, one or two cards are drawn to decide each total.There are specific drawing rules for each set of circumstances with no option,the third card draw is quite specific. The side closest to 9 wins, with casino chequess paid by the dealer equal to the amount initially bet. Remember on the Banker bet, a commission of 5% is charged if that side wins. In the case of a Tie, neither side wins, but if you had placed a bet in the Tie circle, the third option next to Banker or Player, you would be paid at an 8-1 ratio. The reason for these odds is that tie occurs approximately once in every 12 hands. An entire shoe can be dealt without a tie, or it can occur several times in a row, 3 or 4 different times.When you consider the third card draw chart, it will be obvious Banker has manymore options than Player, giving this side an advantage of 1.23%. The casinoselevate this to the 5% vig or commission. Again, the commission is paid uponthe completion of each shoe, if not before. The betting ranges differ at each property, but as a general rule, full tables run $25-5000, minimum to maximum, and mini-bac tables $5-1,000. There are higher level tables available at certain properties, reserved for upper limit players who have been known to wager as much as $250,000 on the turn of a card. If you want to experience a real thrill, wander over to the high-roller pit (or area) and you will probably see more money bet on one hand than most folks make in a year.

Roulette layouts do not vary in bets permitted, odds offered and percentages against the player so the following text covers all the common bets permitted on just about any layout. Straight Bet (or Single-Number Bet):
The player places the chips squarely on one number on the layout, making certain that the chips do not touch any of the lines enclosing the number. This indicates that the player is betting that number to win. Since there are 36 numbers on the wheel, plus the signs 0 and 00, making a total of 38, the correct odds are 37 to 1. The bank pays off 35 to 1 and consequently has the advantage of 0 and 00. In terms of a percentage this is 2/38 of 100, or 5 5/19%. The signs 0 and 00:
These can be played in the same fashion as any straight or single-number bet. The bank's favorable percentage is the same as on a straight bet (5 5/19%) Split bet or two-number bet:
The player places the chips directly on any line separating any two numbers. If the winning number is one of the two wagered on, the player wins.
Payoff odds: 17 to 1 | Correct odds: 18 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Street bet or three-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the outside line of the layout. This indicates that he is betting the three numbers opposite the chips, going across the layout. If the winning number is one of these three, the player wins.
Payoff odds: 11 to 1 | Correct odds: 11 2/3 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Square bet, quarter bet, corner bet or four-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the intersection of the lines between any four numbers. If any of these four numbers wins, the player collects.
Payoff odds: 8 to 1 | Correct odds: 8 1/2 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Line bet or five-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the intersection of the line separating the 1, 2, 3 from the 0 and 00 spaces at a corner intersection. This indicates that he is betting that one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 0 or 00 will win.
Payoff odds: 6 to 1 | Correct odds: 6 3/5 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 7 7/19%
Note that the house percentage differs from the 5 5/19%, which is the bank's edge on all other roulette bets. From the player's viewpoint, it is a bet to avoid because it has 2 12/19% more against the player. Line bet or six-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the intersection of the sideline and a line between two 'streets'. If any of these six numbers wins, the player collects.
Payoff odds: 5 to 1 | Correct odds: 5 1/3 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Column bet or 12-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on one of the three blank spaces at the bottom of the layout. This indicates that the player is betting the 12 vertical numbers above the space wagered on.
Payoff odds: 2 to 1 | Correct odds: 2 1/6 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Dozens or 12-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on one of the spaces of the layout marked "1st 12", "2nd 12" or "3rd 12". The 1st 12 indicates that the player is betting on the numbers 1 to 12 inclusive; the 2nd 12, the numbers 13 to 24 inclusive, and the 3rd 12, the numbers 25 to 36 inclusive.
Payoff odds: 2 to 1 | Correct odds: 2 1/6 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Low-number bet (1 to 18):
The player places the chip(s) on the layout space marked 1 to 18, which indicates that he's betting on the numbers 1 to 18 inclusive.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% High-number bet (19 to 36):
The player places the chip(s) on the layout space marked 19 to 36, which indicates that he's betting on the numbers 19 to 36 inclusive.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Black color bet:
The player places the chip(s) on a space of the layout marked "Black". The player is betting that the winning color will be black.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Red color bet:
The player places the chip(s) on a space of the layout marked "Red". The player is betting that the winning color will be red.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Odd-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the space of the layout marked "Odd". The player is betting that the winning number will be an odd number.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Even-number bet:
This is the same as the odd-number bet, except that the player is betting that the winning number will be even.

A variety of approaches are used to tackle roulette. Strategies range from the obscure, to the deranged, and cover everything in between. The smartest roulette strategies however, don't seem to ever be published, and especially not on the world wide web. Books publishers selling roulette strategies would feel guilty if they only gave you the simple truth. Instead they spin elaborate strategies based on whatever variable they happen to pull out of the hat that afternoon. Far too often the same people then slap a label of 'roulette system' on their advice, and sell it for much more than they could get for a book. Don't fall for anyone selling a system. If there were a systematic way to beat roulette (by the numbers, not by identifying a dealer's signature) many math professors would drive nicer cars. Instead try to develop your own strategies for roulette. The best way to start is to test out any hunches you have had while playing. The only good way to do this is with the help of some free roulette software. The software also has to let you carry your bankroll from session to session in order for you to properly keep track of your wins and losses. The effectiveness of your strategy can only truly be measured by variable relating to your bankroll. Of particular interest of course, is weather or not you come out ahead in the long run; but almost as important is the degree of fluctuation your bankroll undergoes. When choosing between roulette strategies to try out, look for one that has you pay a lot of attention to your bankroll. Any system designed to distract you from your pocketbook is bad news.