If your gaming ventures are restricted to playing the slot machines because you feel intimidated by the table games, try stopping by the roulette wheel! It doesn't require the basic strategy knowledge you need to play blackjack, it's not as fast-paced as craps, and it gives you a much better "bang for your betting dollar" than the slots.

Roulette, THE game of choice in Europe, proceeds at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Since, for all practical purposes, it is based on pure luck, roulette can be appealing to a wide spectrum of gaming enthusiasts. It's easy to learn, and if you know how to manage your bankroll, it can be loads of fun.

There are 38 numbered "pockets" on an American roulette wheel. Thirty-six of them are numbered 1 through 36. Eighteen odd numbers, 18 even numbers, 18 black numbers, 18 red numbers. The remaining two pockets are labeled "0" and "00", the dreaded green colored pockets that give the house its edge. Let me explain:

If you bet a number on the roulette wheel and the ball lands on the number you bet on, the true mathematical odds would pay you 37 to 1 since there are 38 possible places the ball could have landed. But in the casino you will only be paid 35-1, which amounts to a 5.26 advantage for the house, a "built in" edge that guarantees them a profit over the long run.

Even though players can get a much better deal playing basic strategy at the blackjack tables or making the most advantageous wagers at the craps tables, the roulette wheel is still worth a spin, especially if you're trying to "wean" yourself from the slot machines.

The mistake most people make at the roulette wheel is being too eager to dive head first into the game playing the numbers. Grabbing the roulette wheel by the throat by going right after the "inside" of the board can be suicide for a modest bankroll. Sure, the payoffs can be big, but you've got to be mighty lucky to have that little ball land on the right number.

A more conservative approach is to take advantage of the even money and 2-1 wagering propositions that the roulette wheel has to offer. They are called the "outside" bets: The even money bets include red or black, odd or even, 1 through 18, and 19 through 36. The 2-1 bets include the "dozens" (1 through 12, 13 through 24, and 25 through 36) and the columns (first column of 12 numbers, second column of 12 numbers, and third column of 12 numbers).

Your strategy will be to try to build up your bankroll with bets on the even money and 2-1 propositions BEFORE you attempt to go after the 35-1 payoffs and some of the other ways to bet on your lucky numbers. Wait until your stack of chips grows a little before you invest a portion of your profits.

In addition to betting a number "straight up", there are other inside wagering opportunities called "split" (a bet on two numbers) that pays 17-1, "street" (bet on three numbers) that pays 11-1, "corner" (bet on four numbers) that pays 8-1, and "side street" (bet on six numbers) that pays 5-1.

One roulette wager to avoid is a 5-number bet that gives you the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This bet pays 6-1, but carries a huge house advantage of 7.89 percent, the only roulette wheel bet that exceeds the standard 5.26 percent.

The game proceeds at such a pace that a friendly dealer will be happy to help you place your bets and explain some of the roulette wheel procedure. And remember: Your play affects no one else at the table, so don't be afraid to step and play roulette, a great alternative to playing the slots. With a little bit of luck you'll be able to stretch a modest bankroll much further than if you had played the slots.

And just as with all other casino games, it's not easy to win! If you are fortunate enough to turn a nice profit, don't make the mistake of betting it all back! Capitalize on your good fortune by pocketing a good portion of it.