Roulette Chips: All You Need to Know
To enjoy roulette truly, you need to know the fundamentals. Whether you’re playing online or at a land-based casino, It’s essential to understand the value of roulette chips before you wager. In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know about the types of roulette chips.
What are the Types and Values of Roulette Chips?
Before we get too deep into the subject, it’s worth pointing out that there are no standard roulette chip values that are used across the world. This makes it even more important to understand the different variants of game styles and the differences between land-based and online betting. There is a chance that if you’re reading this, you have little or no experience with playing online roulette. This is why we’ve started this guide by looking at the history of roulette and how to play.
We’ve then continued by explaining the different types of chips, their variations and where you may find them. To round out this article, we’ve explored some other related topics, such as etiquette at the roulette table, the differences between land-based and online roulette, and some need-to-know details about roulette variants. You can jump to each topic below, or keep scrolling to learn it all.
The History of Roulette
The iconic game of roulette was invented in the late 17th century, with many crediting the French physicist Blaise Pascal as its creator. The story goes that Pascale was trying to invent the perpetual motion machine, a device that, if possible, would draw energy from its own movement without requiring external energy input.
While he failed to create what most believe is an impossible machine, Pascal did stumble across a primitive form of the roulette wheel. In time, roulette became a popular attraction at French casinos, and soon found its way into the gambling rooms of Monte Carlo and beyond.
The game evolved from its humble origins, and despite centuries of outlawed gambling throughout France and Europe, its popularity endured. Nearly 200 years later, the roulette wheel with a single zero was invented and presented as a gift to King Charles III of Monaco.
As we will explain, added zeros give the house a bigger edge, making them more profitable for casinos. King Charles built a casino and debuted the modern roulette wheel to his patrons and garnered a huge response with his exclusive clientele. It has remained a symbol of elegance and decadence since then.
Over the next 150 years, enhanced betting options were added, and when the wheel was introduced to American players, another zero was added to boost the house edge. When the first online casino was launched in 1994, roulette was among the first online gambling games. Live roulette has been the latest and most exciting advancement in recent years.
Roulette Chips: The Types and Values
Land-Based Roulette
One of the most interesting things about land-based roulette is that usually, there are no set values on them. When players come to a table, they are given a stack of chips that have their own colour. This differentiates your bets from those of different players.
At the start of the round, you assign your own value to your chips. This will need to align with the minimum and maximum bet sizes for that table. Usually, the lowest bet will be £1 and may be as high as £1,000. Once you assigned your value, the croupier will then take note of it and mark it out.
Place the number of chips on each bet according to how much you wish to wager. At the end of each round, you are then given the opportunity to change the value of your chips. Your roulette chips will not have value on other tables, so you’ll need to cash them out or convert them to standard chips once you have finished.
In some casinos, you will be given the option to play with standard chips which have their values marked on them. While this is less common, it can be useful in that the chips can be used at other tables.
Online Roulette
Whether you play video roulette games or live dealer roulette, you will not need to assign values to your chips. Instead, online games use standard chips with pre-set values marked on them. This is possible as there cannot be any confusion about who places which bet when online.
How to Play Roulette
The mechanics of roulette are quite simple. The croupier releases a white ball on a spinning wheel that will eventually land on a slotted number. Before the wheel is spun, players must place their bets on where they predict the ball will land. There are many different betting options.
Next to the wheel is a table that lays out the possible bets, with all numbers represented. A few inside bet examples that you could place your chips on a single number for a ‘Straight Up’ bet, place chips on two or three numbers, wager on a row of possible numbers, or on a corner of four numbers.
Each option has varying odds, with the lowest odds being on a Straight Up bet. There are also outside bets, which could be a wager on a Red or Black number landing, an Even or an Odd, a whole column, or high or lows. Outside bets have higher odds than inside bets so the returns are less attractive.
Different tables will have varying minimum and maximum bets. Once you’ve wagered, the croupier will call ‘No Bets’ and release the ball on the spinning wheel. After it lands, the losing chips will be collected by the croupier and the winning bets will be paid out before another round begins.
For a more simplified version, we have created an easy-to-follow how-to guide below.
| Step One | Choose a table with bet size limits that suit your budget. |
| Step Two | Place your chips on the numbers, inside bets or outside bets that interest you. |
| Step Three | The croupier will call ‘No Bets’ and spin the wheel. |
| Step Four | The ball will land on a number. Pay out your losing chips or collect your wins. |
| Step Five | The ball will land on a number. Pay out your losing chips or collect your wins. |
Roulette Etiquette
Now that you’re ready to play roulette, there are a few useful things to remember to ensure the enjoyment of everyone involved. The first rule is to always be polite to your fellow players and croupier. Gambling can be both tense and exhilarating, and it’s important to understand that everyone may be experiencing different emotions.
Make sure that you find a table with bet limits that are appropriate to your budget, and sit down where there is a free place. Wait until the previous round is finished before you ask to buy in. Place your cash or standard chips on the table in full view of everyone for the croupier to convert into chips.
Be very clear in your communication with the croupier and other players. It’s okay to ask players to place chips on bet spaces if they are out of reach, but be very specific in your request. When you place your chips to bet, do it gently so as not to knock other players’ chips off the table.
Be confident and timely with your bets, and don’t bother other players to ask for the rules or strategies. While it’s okay to talk, don’t be too loud or distracting. It’s also courteous to be thankful to your dealer, and when you leave, be patient in receiving your winnings instead of taking your chips and leaving.
When playing online, many of these tips won’t be relevant. However, if you’re playing at a live casino and are able to socialize, make sure that you’re not disruptive or offensive. Everyone is trying to have a good time, so do your best to help create an enjoyable atmosphere.
The Roulette Variants
When playing online roulette, you may be surprised by the many variations that you’ll come across. These aren’t just variances in aesthetics and game design, but can have sizable differences in your odds to win. Below are three of the most common roulette variants that you’ll find online.
European Roulette
European Roulette is the most common form of online roulette that is found in the UK. This version features a full suite of betting options and includes one 0 slot. The return to player rate (RTP) is set at 97.3% to 98.65% so this is a very fair option.
American Roulette
Although you won’t find this variant much at land-based casinos, American Roulette is regularly offered at online casinos. This version is essentially the same as European Roulette, though there is an addition of a 00 slot. This brings down the RTP to around 94.7% from 97.3%.
French Roulette
French Roulette is considered to be the most classic version of the game and is almost identical to European Roulette. The biggest difference is that while you don’t have as many betting options, often the La Partage rule applies. This means that if the ball lands in zero, all even-money bets are split in two and half of your bet is returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about roulette chips, keep reading. Below, we have provided responses to some commonly asked questions about this topic so that you don’t have to read the whole article. If you’re looking for more detailed answers, use the links in each to jump up to the relevant sections.
1️⃣ When was roulette invented?
Roulette was invented in the late 1600s by Blaise Pascal, a French inventor. In time, playing with roulette chips evolved to become part of the game and it became popular among the European upper classes. When it was introduced to the USA, gambling houses added an extra 0 to the wheel to create what is known as the American variant.
2️⃣ Do roulette chips have set values?
In most cases, chips do not have set values. Instead, players tell the croupier the value of their roulette chips. These can be altered after each betting round. Some land-based casinos will accept standard chips with marked values, as will live dealer casinos and online casino video games.
3️⃣ How do I make roulette bets?
Players must make roulette bets at the start of each round. This is done by placing chips on markers on the betting mat. It’s important to know the bet types before you wager as each type will have its own odds. The bet with the lowest odds is the Straight Up, which is a bet on a specific number.
4️⃣ How should I behave when playing roulette?
There is a certain etiquette that is expected from players at the roulette wheel. First and foremost, you should always be polite and respectful to other players and the croupier. You should also not distract other players, communicate clearly and place your bets in a timely and orderly fashion.
5️⃣ What are the fairest roulette variants?
The most fair roulette variants are European and French Roulette. This is because they do not have the extra 0 slot that American Roulette has. This extra zero increases the house edge by roughly 3 per cent, so it may be wise to avoid this game when playing online.