| The
major difference between the American wheel and
the European is that the American, standard in practically
all casinos in Nevada and Atlantic City, has two
zeros, while the European has one.
This difference changes the game radically in terms
of casino advantage. When two zeros are used, the
casino edge is 5.26 percent on nearly all bets.
When one zero is used, the house advantage drops
by almost half, to 2.70 percent. In some Nevada
casinos a single-zero roulette wheel may be found,
but I've never heard of a European wheel that has
two zeros.
The American wheel is rather a simple affair, just
a wheel and a relatively small layout showing all
the possible bets and numbers, printed in English.
It is usually staffed by one dealer, who spins the
wheel, collects all losing bets, pays off winning
wagers, and handles the changing of cash into chips.
When the game gets crowded, sometimes another dealer
is called to the table to assist the original one,
but this occurs infrequently. Even at a crowded
and busy table, one dealer can handle all the action.
The American game is played by hand. Change is given
in socks of chips shoved by the dealer to the player.
If a player wins, he is paid with stacks of chips
delivered or pushed by hand. The dealer wipes off
the table by hand, gathering in the losing chips
with both hands and quickly stacking them up according
to color.
When even moderately busy, the average American
wheel can get about 90 plays per hour with one dealer
present. If two dealers are used, one primarily
as a cashier, then 120 spins an hour is the rule.
All calls are in English, and basically the only
call will be the number the ball has landed on.
If it landed on 18, the dealer will merely say "18"
without designating that it is also a black number,
even and low. After the number is called, a marker,
usually a plastic tube with dice inside, is placed
on the winning number.
|
