How to Play Roulette: Basic Guide

Roulette is a classic casino game that has been around for centuries. It is a game of chance that features a spinning wheel with numbered pockets, from 1 to 36, along with a 0 and sometimes a 00. The objective is to correctly predict where the ball, which is spun around the wheel, will land.

Roulette has simple gameplay and odds. With a few explanations of basic roulette rules, you’ll be ready to get started. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about how to play roulette.

Basic Roulette Rules

Roulette is among casino games with straightforward rules. Understanding these basic roulette rules before placing bets increases your odds of winning. Fortunately, the basic roulette rules can be broken down into three simple points:

1. The aim. This involves predicting where the ball will land on a numbered wheel.
2. The bet. Here, you place chips on the number/s or groups of numbers on the roulette table.
3. The payouts. You can win between 1x and 35x your bet depending on your prediction.

As a beginner, you should know that the roulette table consists of a wheel, a ball, and a ‘layout’. The layout displays the wheel numbers and other available bets. Your aim is to predict where the ball will land after the croupier rolls the spin. If the ball stops on your prediction, you win

How Does Roulette Work?

Now that you know the basic roulette rules, let’s see how the casino game works. Roulette has a dual setup (a numbered table and wheel). Here is a brief explanation of roulette features:

Spinning Wheel

At the heart of roulette is the spinning wheel, which is the central element of the game. The wheel is a circular, revolving platform with numbered pockets, from 1 to 36, alternately colored red and black. There’s an additional green pocket for the 0 (and sometimes 00 in American roulette).

Roulette Table

The roulette table is the surface or layout where players place their bets. The table layout consists of numbered pockets and various betting options, such as betting on a single number, a range of numbers, colors (red or black), odds or evens, and more. The roulette table is divided into two main sections: the inside bets (specific numbers or groups of numbers) and the outside bets (broader bets like red/black, odd/even, etc.).

Betting Options

Roulette offers a wide range of betting options, allowing players to tailor their strategies and risk levels. Bets can be placed on individual numbers, a range of numbers, colors (red or black), or broader categories like odd/even or high/low. We’ll look at the roulette bets in the next section.

Zoning on a specific number makes a high-risk bet with a probability of higher payouts. A low-risk prediction covers large areas of the table and results in low payouts.

The Spin

Once all bets are placed, the croupier will spin the roulette wheel in one direction and release the ball in the opposite direction. The ball will eventually land in one of the numbered pockets on the wheel, determining the winning number.

Payouts

The payouts for winning bets are based on the type of bet placed and the probability of that outcome occurring. For example, a straight-up bet on a single number typically pays 35 to 1, while a bet on red or black pays even money (1 to 1).

Types of Roulette Bets

There are two main types of roulette bets: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets have higher payouts but are more difficult to win, while outside bets have lower payouts but are easier to win.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers. They are:

• Straight Up Bet: A bet on a single number. The odds of winning a Straight Up bet is 35/1
• Split Bet: A bet on two adjacent numbers, with a payout of 17 to 1.
• Street Bet: A bet on three consecutive numbers in a row. The payout is 11 to 1.
• Corner Bet: This is a bet on four numbers that meet at a corner on the betting layout. The payout is 8 to 1.
• Basket bet: A bet on five numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. The payout for is 6 to 1.
• Line Bet: A bet on six numbers (two adjacent streets). The payout is 5 to 1.

Outside Bets

Outside proposition bets are placed on groups of numbers or characteristics of the numbers. They are:

• Red/Black Bet: A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black. The payout is 1 to 1
• Odd/Even Bet: A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even. The payout is 1 to 1.
• High/Low Bet: A bet on whether the winning number will be between 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high). The payout for this bet is 1 to 1.
• Dozen Bet: A bet on a group of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36). The payout for this bet is 2 to 1.
• Column Bet: A bet on one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers. The payout for this bet is 2 to 1.

Announced Bets (French Roulette):

For the French roulette, although the outside bets remain the same, there are some additional betting features:

• Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero): A bet covering the numbers 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35.
• Tiers du Cylindre (Thirds of the Wheel): A bet covering the numbers 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8.
• Orphelins (Orphans): A bet covering the numbers 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14.
• Jeu Zéro (Zero Game): A bet covering the numbers 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15.

Announced bets are specific to French roulette and allow players to place bets on pre-defined groups of numbers based on their positions on the wheel.

The Main Types of Roulette

There are several popular variants of roulette that are commonly found in both land-based and online casinos. They include:

American Roulette:

• Wheel Layout: The American roulette wheel has 38 numbered pockets, including the numbers 1-36 and the 0 and 00 pockets.
• House Edge: The house edge in American roulette is higher than in European roulette, typically around 5.26%. This is due to the addition of the 00 pocket, which increases the odds in favor of the casino.
• Betting Options: American roulette offers the same betting options as European roulette, including inside bets (e.g., straight up, split, street) and outside bets (e.g., red/black, odd/even, high/low).

The maximum payout for a single number in American Roulette is 35x.

European Roulette:

• Wheel Layout: The European roulette wheel has 37 numbered pockets, including the numbers 1-36 and a single 0 pocket.
• House Edge: The house edge in European roulette is lower than in American roulette, typically around 2.70%. This is because the wheel has a single 0 pocket, rather than the 0 and 00 pockets found in American roulette.
• Betting Options: European roulette offers the same betting options as American roulette, including inside and outside bets.

The maximum payout in European Roulette is 35x.

French Roulette:

• Wheel Layout: The French roulette wheel is identical to the European roulette wheel, with 37 numbered pockets (1-36 and a single 0 pocket).
• House Edge: The house edge in French roulette can be lower than in European roulette, typically around 1.35%, due to the additional rules and betting options available.
• Betting Options: In addition to the standard inside and outside bets, French roulette offers unique betting options, such as La Partage and En Prison, which can significantly reduce the house edge.

If you place an even money bet and the ball lands on zero, the La Partage feature gives you a 50% rebate. For example, if you bet $20 on black and the ball lands on zero, you’ll receive $10 back.

Strategies to Win at Roulette

Roulette is a game of luck, and there is no guaranteed way to consistently “win” at roulette. Outcomes are determined by the random wheel spin and stop. However, there are some strategies that roulette players can use to increase their winning odds.

Bet on Outside Bets

Outside bets, such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low, have a higher probability of winning but lower payouts. While the payouts are lower, the odds of winning are better compared to inside bets, making outside bets a more conservative approach.

Implement a Betting System

Betting systems, such as the Martingale, Fibonacci sequence, or D’Alembert systems, involve adjusting the bet size based on previous results. These systems aim to recover losses and maximize profits, but they do not guarantee long-term success and can lead to rapid bankroll depletion.

Bankroll Management

Make a budget and stick to it. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Utilize proper bankroll management techniques, such as setting loss limits and walking away when ahead.

Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions

Look for online casinos that offer roulette-specific bonuses, such as deposit matches or free spins. These can provide a slight edge, but it’s essential to understand the terms and conditions before claiming any online casino offers.

Practice and Understand the Game

Study the different roulette variants, understand the odds and payouts, and practice with free-to-play games before risking real money. This can help you make more informed betting decisions.

Start Playing Roulette Today

Roulette is a classic casino game with a spinning wheel with numbered pockets, from 1 to 36, and an additional 0 and 00 for American Roulette. The objective is to correctly predict where the ball, which is spun around the wheel, will land.

You can follow our simple roulette rules guide and start playing online roulette at our leading online casinos. Remember all the rules, betting options, and strategies to increase your winning odds. This way, you’ll have a fun and thrilling gambling experience.

FAQ

How do you play roulette?

Roulette is a casino game with a spinning wheel, a table, and a set of numbers. The aim is to predict which number a ball will land on. You can place bets on a specific number or a group of numbers. If the ball stops on the number you predicted, you can win up to 35x your stake.

Is roulette an easy game?

Yes, roulette is a straightforward casino game. Unlike other strategy casino games like poker, you can learn roulette and start playing for real money within a few days.

What is the safest bet in roulette?

The safest bets in roulette are the outside bets, such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low. These bets have a higher probability of winning, but the payouts are lower. You can also use a roulette betting strategy like the Martingale system and Fibonacci sequence to increase your winning odds.

How many numbers are on a roulette wheel?

The number of numbers on a roulette wheel depends on the variant. American roulette has 38 pockets (1-36, 0, 00), European roulette has 37 pockets (1-36, 0), and French roulette also has 37 pockets (1-36, 0).