Roulette is a popular and exciting casino game that is relatively straightforward, so beginners can pick it up quickly. The objective of the game is to place bets on where you think the ball will land on a spinning wheel. It may seem daunting at first with all of the different betting options, but once you understand the basics, it’s not so complex.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials to help you get started. You’ll learn about the different types of bets, and how the roulette wheel is set up in different variations, and we’ll also answer some commonly asked questions.
Whether you’re playing online or at a physical casino, this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge to enjoy the game and play responsibly. Let’s dive in and explore the world of roulette.
How To Play Roulette
First, let’s cover the basics of playing roulette.
Understanding the Roulette Wheel
The roulette wheel has numbered pockets ranging from 1 to 36, half in red and half in black. In European roulette, you’ll see a single green zero (0), while American roulette has a single zero and an extra green double zero (00).
Placing Your Bets
To start playing, you need to place your bets on where you think the ball will land on the wheel. You do this by placing your chips in certain areas on the roulette table layout that correspond to pockets on the wheel. There are several types of bets you can make:
Inside Bets: These bets are placed on specific numbers or groups of numbers within the numbered grid.
- Straight Up: Bet on a single number
- Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers
- Street: Bet on three numbers in a row
- Corner: Bet on four numbers that meet at one corner
- Six Line: Bet on two neighbouring rows of three numbers
Outside Bets: These bets cover larger groups of numbers and are placed by putting your chips in the relevant boxes outside the numbered grid.
- Red or Black: Bet on the colour of the pocket (Red or Black)
- Odd or Even: Bet on whether the number will be odd or even
- High or Low: Bet on whether the number will be between 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high)
- Dozens: Bet on one of three groups of twelve numbers (i.e. 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36)
- Columns: Bet on one of the three vertical columns of numbers (i.e. 1,4,7,10…, 2,5,8,11…, or 3,6,9,12…)
Spinning the Wheel
Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer, known as the croupier, spins the wheel and releases the ball. As the wheel slows down, the ball will eventually land in one of the numbered pockets, determining the outcome of bets.
Collecting Your Winnings
If the ball lands in a pocket covered by your bet, you win. The croupier will pay out your winnings based on the type of bet you made. For example, a straight-up bet pays 35 to 1, while a red or black bet pays even money (1 to 1) – see the later section on odds and payouts for more details.
Playing Responsibly
Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Remember, roulette is a game of chance, and there’s no guaranteed way to win. Enjoy the game for its entertainment value and know when to walk away.
Roulette Wheels & Table Layout
European Roulette
European roulette is one of the most popular versions. The wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 0 to 36. There’s one green zero (0) pocket, which creates a house edge of about 2.7%. This means that for every £100 bet on roulette, the casino expects to keep about £2.70 on average in the long run.
French Roulette
French roulette is quite similar to European roulette, with 37 pockets and one green zero (0). However, it includes special rules like “La Partage” and “En Prison”, which can be beneficial to players.
La Partage: If you place an even-money bet (like red/black or odd/even) and the ball lands on zero, you get back half your bet.
En Prison: If an even-money bet lands on zero, your bet is “imprisoned” and carried over to the next spin. If you win on this next spin, you get your original bet back.
These rules lower the house edge to about 1.35%, making French roulette more statistically favourable for players. However, it’s important to remember that this still doesn’t guarantee results of any kind.
American Roulette
American roulette has 38 pockets, numbered 0 to 36, plus an additional green double zero (00) pocket. This extra pocket increases the house edge to about 5.26%, meaning the casino expects to keep about £5.26 for every £100 bet in the long run. American roulette has the highest house edge of the three main variations, but many find the novelty of having an additional green zero pocket balances it out.
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Roulette Odds & Payouts
As we mentioned before, the different bets in roulette have different odds of success. They also offer different payouts to balance this. Let’s take a closer look.
Inside Bets
Inside bets offer higher payouts but come with lower odds of winning. Here are the most common inside bets and their payouts:
Straight Up: Betting on a single number. Payout is 35 to 1
Split: Betting on two adjacent numbers. Payout is 17 to 1
Street: Betting on three numbers in a row. Payout is 11 to 1
Corner: Betting on four numbers that meet at one corner. Payout is 8 to 1
Six Line: Betting on two adjacent rows of three numbers. Payout is 5 to 1
Outside Bets
Outside bets offer better odds of winning since they cover more numbers in a single bet but come with lower payouts. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Red or Black: Betting on the colour of the pocket. Payout is 1 to 1
- Odd or Even: Betting on whether the number will be odd or even. Payout is 1 to 1
- High or Low: Betting on whether the number will be between 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high). Payout is 1 to 1
- Dozens: Betting on one of three groups of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36). Payout is 2 to 1
- Columns: Betting on one of the three vertical columns of numbers (1,4,7,10…, 2,5,8,11…, or 3,6,9,12…). Payout is 2 to 1
Understanding the Odds
It’s important to remember that the odds of winning are influenced by the type of roulette you’re playing. For example, European roulette has a single zero (0), resulting in a house edge of 2.7%. In American roulette, the extra double zero (00) increases the house edge to about 5.26%.
Knowing the odds and payouts can help you make informed decisions when placing your bets. Play responsibly and appreciate that it’s a random game of chance where winning is never guaranteed.
Roulette Strategies – How Do You Win?
There are a number of well-known strategies that players use to help structure their bets when playing roulette. It’s not necessary to use a strategy, and they do not impact the inherent odds of the game, but it can be helpful to be aware of them.
Here are a few of the most popular roulette strategies.
Martingale Strategy
The Martingale strategy is one of the most well-known betting systems. You start by placing an initial bet on an even-money outcome, such as red or black. If you lose, you double the bet amount on the next spin. If you lose again, you double it again. If you win, you return to the initial bet amount. The idea is that if you land a win, it recuperates all previous losses.
D’Alembert Strategy
The D’Alembert strategy is a bit more conservative than the Martingale. You start with a single unit bet on an even-money outcome. Each time you lose, increase your bet by one unit. If you win, decrease your bet by one unit. This strategy aims to balance wins and losses over time.
Fibonacci Strategy
The Fibonacci strategy uses a sequence of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (e.g., 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and so on). You bet according to this sequence. If you lose, move one step forward in the sequence. If you win, move two steps back. This method aims to recover losses slowly and steadily.
Remember the Odds
It’s important to understand that these strategies do not alter the inherent odds of the game or the house edge. They are ways to manage your bets, offering different structures but no guarantees of winning. Play for fun and always gamble responsibly.
Play Roulette Online for Real Money
Roulette is one of the most thrilling and iconic games you’ll find in any casino, and playing it online for real money takes the excitement to a whole new level.
Whether you prefer the classic European or American versions, online casinos offer a variety of roulette tables to suit every player’s style.
Not only do you get to enjoy the convenience of playing from anywhere, but the best online casinos also provide lucrative bonuses and promotions to maximize your gameplay. However, finding a reputable site to play roulette online can be overwhelming, which is why it’s essential to choose wisely.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of the best casino sites where you can safely play roulette for real money. Each of these sites has been vetted for security, game variety, payment options, and overall experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, you’ll find a platform that meets your needs.
So, before you leave, be sure to check out our list of top-rated casinos here and start your roulette journey today!
Casino Roulette FAQs
Does Electronic Roulette Cheat?
Electronic roulette is designed to be fair and random, just like traditional roulette. These machines either use random number generators (RNGs) to determine where the ball lands, or they use an automated system to spin the wheel and release the ball. Licensed casinos are regularly audited to ensure their games are fair and not rigged.
Can Dealers Control Roulette?
No, dealers cannot control where the ball lands on a roulette wheel. The outcome is random every time due to uncontrollable variables such as speed of the wheel and the ball, slight imperfections on the surfaces of both, air pressure, and more.
Casinos have strict procedures in place to ensure fairness, and any attempt by a dealer to manipulate the game would result in serious consequences.
Is Roulette Rigged In Casinos?
Reputable casinos, whether online or land-based, are regulated and audited to ensure fair play. The house edge means the odds are skewed ever so slightly in the casino’s favour but this is part of the rules of the game itself, not a sneaky addition by the casino themselves, meaning the game itself is not rigged. Always play at licensed casinos to ensure a fair experience.
Can You Keep Doubling Your Bet Until You Win?
This strategy, known as the Martingale system, involves doubling your bet after each loss in an effort to recover previous losses. However, it’s risky. Table limits and the possibility of a long losing streak can prevent this strategy from being effective. There’s also your budget to consider. Always gamble responsibly.
What Is The Roulette Green Payout?
The green pockets on a roulette wheel are the zeros (0 in European/French roulette and 0 & 00 in American roulette). If you bet on a single zero and win, the payout is 35 to 1. If you place a Split bet on 0 and 00 in American roulette, then the payout is 17 to 1. Remember, inside bets like these have lower odds of winning but offer higher payouts.
