This hugely popular game may seem a little difficult for some, but with our very detailed tutorial, plus pictures, you'll learn how to play roulette from the ground up and walk away a master! Plus, you'll find useful tables with payout odds as well as lots of interesting facts about roulette that you might not have known.
Roulette may seem like a complicated game, but the actual betting process is extremely simple. Let’s go through step by step how to play roulette correctly. Online roulette has essentially the same but simpler process, but we’ll talk about that below.
The first step is, of course, the choice of table. You can decide on the type of roulette you want to play. You can choose from American, European or the French type. Each has slightly different rules and their own pros and cons in terms of the chances of winning. If you want to learn more about them, click here.
Buy your chips when you get to the table. Each table has its own special chips, which you can buy offline directly from the dealer and choose their value straight away, or online, where you have your deposit credit straight away.
You must place your chips on the playing field according to the betting rules. You can choose from a variety of bets with different odds of winning and different payout ratios. See the instructions below for a clear table with payout odds and all the bet types, how and where you can bet.
Once the croupier spins the roulette wheel and throws the ball in the opposite direction, you have a few seconds to place your bet before the croupier closes the bets by shouting, for example, “No more bets!”.
The ball slows down after a while and stops in one of the numbered compartments.
When the ball comes to a complete stop, the dealer announces the winning number and places the Dolly on the winning number on the playing field. Check your bet to see if you have won or not. If not, you will lose your entire bet, and if you do, your winnings will be paid according to the paytable directly below.
The whole process of the game is then just repeated.
Whether you play European, French or American roulette, all payout ratios are the same. However, American roulette has a lower probability of winning due to the addition of a second zero. See our table for a full breakdown of the odds of winning each bet and their payout ratios.
| Bet | Probability of winning (European / American) |
Pay-out ratio | Winnings on a bet of Β Β£ 10 |
| 1.One number | 2,7 % / 2,63 % | 35 to 1 | Β£350 |
| 2.Β Two numbers (Split) | 5,4 % / 5,26 % | 17 to 1 | Β£170 |
| 3.Β A polite wagerΒ (Split) | 5,4 % / 5,26 % | 17 to 1 | Β£170 |
| 4.Three numbers(Street) | 8,1 % / 7,89 % | 11 to 1 | Β£110 |
| 5.Four numbers (Corner or Corner) | 10,8 % / 10,52 % | 8 to 1 | Β£80 |
| 6. Five numbers | 13,51 % / 13,15 % | 6 to 1 | Β£60 |
| 7. The Basket | 13,51 % / 13,15 % | 6 to 1 | Β£60 |
| 8. Six numbersΒ (Six Line) | 16,22 % / 15,72 % | 5 to 1 | Β£50 |
| 9. Column | 32,4 % / 31,58 % | 2 to 1 | Β£20 |
| 10. The Dozen | 32,4 % / 31,58 % | 2 to 1 | Β£20 |
| 11. Colour | 48,6 % / 47,37 % | 1 to 1 | Β£10 |
| 12. Odd/Even | 48,6 % / 47,37 % | 1 to 1 | Β£10 |
| 13. Low / high 18 | 48,6 % / 47,37 % | 1 to 1 | Β£10 |
Suppose you place a bet of 100 units on two numbers. The payout ratio in this case is 17 to 1. So, if one of your two numbers hits, you’ll get a payout of 17Γ your stake + your initial bet is returned. In a given round, the casino would thus pay you 1,800 units (1,700 win, 100 units deposit back). There’s nothing complicated about it, and you get the hang of it very quickly.
The RTP, or Return To Player, is a percentage of how much money bet by players is returned to them in the form of winnings.
For example: if the RTP is 97.3%, then out of every Β£100 the roulette theoretically returns Β£97.3 back to the player in winnings.
The casino makes a long term profit on everything that is left up to 100% (i.e. 2.7% of all bets). This is called the House Edge.
Few casino games in the world attract as much attention as roulette. It offers a huge range of possible bets that can be confusing at first glance, but with the right explanation is simple and fun. There are also a variety of strategies that can be applied to it, which, while they don’t bring any guaranteed profit, can spice up the game nicely. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about playing roulette.
Roulette is relatively player-friendly. In fact, its rules are not complicated at all and it’s basically just a matter of making sure you can place your bet within the time limit. During this time, the player can move their chip around the screen to place their bet. Once the time limit is up, the dealer or casino system will spin the ball round by round. During this time, players wait to see where the ball stops. Based on this, winnings are then paid according to the payout ratios or the player loses their stake.
In French (and sometimes American) roulette, there may be additional rules that lean on the player’s side. However, they do not change the principle of the game itself, but the way in which they are paid out for games. These rules include:
I’m sure you’ve noticed that roulette basically has three variations. The differences in them are not very significant, but they are significant nonetheless. They are mainly in the layout of the wheel and table, in the specific rules and in the probability of winning. If you want to see all the types compared in every detail, read the article on comparing roulette types.
It differs from the others by the use of the 00 (two zeros) field, which tilts the advantage more to the casino side, by approximately 5.26%. Otherwise, however, the rules are unchanged.
It is considered a standard form of roulette and is very popular all over the world. Here we no longer find a two-zero box, but only one zero, which is a little more player-friendly, specifically the house edge is approximately 2.70%.
It is basically the same as the European one, except that it is usually in French. In addition, however, it uses specific rules like La Partage and En Prison, which again is more advantageous to the player, specifically the house edge is 1.35%.
| Roulette type | American Roulette | European Roulette | French Roulette |
| Amount of numbers | 38 | 37 | 37 |
| Number of zeros | Two zeros (00) | One zero (0) | One zero (0) |
| House Edge | 5,26 % | 2,70 % | 1,35 % |
First of all, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the basic layout of a roulette wheel. Even if you’ve never played roulette, you’ll know that it contains boxes with identical red and black numbers 1 to 36 and 1 green box with a zero (for European and French roulette) or two zeros (for American roulette). The colour distribution of the numbers and the wheel is as follows:
The playing field is then made up of a so-called canvas, which is used for placing bets. The second part is the roulette wheel itself, after which the ball is spun. The ball is spun by the croupier or the casino system and the player cannot interfere with it in any way.
The canvas contains a betting area. A bet is made by dragging a chip to the appropriate location within the canvas. Generally, the screen contains space for so-called inside and outside bets. Inside bets are bets directly on numbers (or combinations thereof) and outside bets are, for example, bets on a suit, a column, etc.
In addition to these absolute basics, most offline and online roulettes also include a so-called racetrack. It is designed to resemble the layout of the numbers on a roulette wheel. Within it, special bets are made on groups of numbers that are close together on the wheel, which would be difficult to do on the main part of the betting table. These bets are called call-bets in betting jargon. There are several of these special bets and they are all usually listed in French.
The most important thing for any casino game is, of course, the bets. In roulette, there are a truly overwhelming number of them, giving the player a great variation in the way you approach it, and there’s something for just about every player. Basically, there are the following types of bets:
With outside bets, you will also often come across the term “straight bets”. This means that you are betting on opportunities with an even payout ratio (1 to 1). These bets are generally the most popular in roulette because there is an equal chance of winning and losing.
So what specific bets can you find in roulette?
In this bet, you directly select one specific number. If you win, it pays 35 to 1.
If you want to bet on two numbers, you place your chip on the line directly between them. A win pays 17 to 1.
In this case, you are betting on three numbers in the vertical column – for example, 7-8-9. The chip is placed on the line above or below this column. A win pays 11 to 1.
The bet is placed at the intersection of these four numbers. A win pays 8 to 1.
This type of bet is only available in American Roulette. It consists of the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. It pays 6 to 1, but is not a recommended bet.
To bet on six numbers, you need to place your bet similarly to three numbers, only at the intersection of the two columns. A win pays 5 to 1.
Also applies to American Roulette only. The name has the simple reason that the layout of the numbers resembles a hand basket. A win pays 6 to 1.
Bet on red or black. If won, pays 1 to 1.
A bet on whether an odd or even number is rolled. A win pays 1 to 1.
You bet low 18 on numbers 1 to 18, high on 19 to 36. A win pays 1 to 1.
With this bet, you are betting directly on one specific column on the screen. A win pays 2 to 1.
Bet on numbers 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. A win pays 2 to 1.
A bet used in American roulette. It is basically the same as if the chip were placed between the zeros. It is used when a player is sitting on the other side of the table and does not want to cross or stretch across the table. The dealer automatically knows that the player is betting between two zeros as a courtesy. If they win, they are paid 17 to 1.
We’ve already seen that there are also special types of bets in roulette that use the racetrack, which was mentioned earlier in the article. These bets place the chips for you on individual numbers. These numbers are chosen directly according to the game round, which is divided into three parts. All the terms are based on French roulette, so they are completely conducted in French. So let’s explain them a bit more for non-French speakers.
The biggest portion of the game round is cut with a bet on Voisin du Zero, which can be translated into English as “neighbours of zero”. This bet covers 17 numbers in the vicinity of zero. Specifically, the numbers are:
0-2-3-4-7-12-15-18-19-21-22-25-26-28-29-32-35
The probability of winning in this case is 45.9%, which is not bad at all and definitely the highest probability in special bets. At the same time, however, the bet requires the largest amount to be wagered. The bet combines bets on three numbers, split and corner
.
A variant of some racetracks can also be a bet on Jeu Zero. This is a smaller variant of Voisins du zero, where a total of 7 numbers are covered:
The probability of winning in this case is 18.9%. Its advantage is that it requires a smaller bet than Voisin du zero.
Another special bet is the Tiers du cylindre, where you bet on the 12 numbers on the opposite side of the Voisin du zero. As its name suggests, this bet covers a full third of the round. The numbers contained in it are:
The odds of winning this bet are 32.4%. Only split bets are valid. In case of a win, the payout ratio is 17 to 1.
The last bet on the racetrack is the orphans. This naming is appropriate because these are numbers not covered in the previous two bets. The bet covers these numbers:
For the bet, a bet on the number (1) and a split are applied. The odds of winning in this case are 21.6%.
Some roulette systems also allow you to bet on so-called neighbours. In this case, a bet is made on one number and two adjacent numbers on the wheel next to it. So a bet might look like this, for example:
In this case, the payout ratio is 1 in 35. However, the odds of winning are only 13.5%.
You can use all of these bet types to enjoy roulette to the fullest. It is the huge variation of bets that makes it so popular among players.
The betting process itself is extremely simple. In a regular brick-and-mortar casino, you move chips around the screen to determine what you bet on. It’s the same with online roulette, which is what we’re talking about here, and also with Live Roulette.
There, the chips are part of the game interface. You can set the value of the chips and select the chips you want to play with using the buttons. Click on a chip and then move it around the playing field to place your bet. In online roulette, you can also usually clearly see what you’re actually betting on, so you can’t, for example, slip up.
Any winnings are paid out automatically and go straight into your real balance. Most online roulettes also offer the ability to track your wins and losses, set the speed of the spinning wheel, and other similar tweaks. There are also special roulettes in the online space where you can change the way you bet.
If you want to see the online roulette game in action and understand the basics in the blink of an eye, check out the following video where everything is beautifully explained.
There are also two basic types of chips used in roulette: value and no-value. Each looks slightly different in appearance and also serves different purposes, of course.
These chips, called value chips, have their value printed on them. They are versatile and can therefore be used for a variety of casino tables, not just roulette. For example, a chip with a value of Β£100 can be used at both a roulette table and a blackjack table.
These chips, called non-value chips, have a specific meaning only at the table where they were issued. They have no value printed on them, but instead have their own symbols or colours. They are then assigned a value by the dealer based on the player’s preferences. For example, a player may choose red chips and specify that each be worth Β£50. This assigned value is only valid while the player is at the table and the chips cannot be used at other games or tables in the casino.
The reason why the chips are allocated in this way is to make the dealer’s job easier and to ensure transparency in betting. Thus, this chip differentiation increases the efficiency and organization of the game, while at the same time preventing confusion of bets and possible conflicts between players.
Once you are familiar with the rules, payout ratios and other basic roulette parameters, you may want to try out the different strategies that have evolved for roulette over the years. While no single strategy can guarantee you a sustainable profit, they can be a good tool for optimising your bankroll or adding a little more spice to your game.
We cover the best roulette strategies directly in our articles about them. We won’t go into them in detail, but just remind you that there are currently 6 most used roulette systems. Some of them can really help you manage your bankroll effectively, others are more for fun. Specifically, these systems are:
You can try them all, of course, and maybe one of them will really bring you luck. However, keep in mind that roulette is a game of chance and none of these strategies can change that.
We know that roulette can give you a real adrenaline rush, just like any other gambling game. One quickly forgets so quickly and can start making unnecessary mistakes that cost them success in the game and, of course, money. So what is good to avoid and what to watch out for at roulette?
This is one of the basic things about any gambling game. Tilting, or trying to recoup lost money by raising the stakes, has cost many a player a large amount of money. It needs to be avoided at all costs and the strategies given can help to do just that. With these, the majority of the time, the bet is always set precisely and the raising is done on a predetermined outcome of the game.
With roulette it is essential to always remember that it is a game of chance. Every spin is different and every spin has the same probability of success. So if the number 36, for example, hasn’t fallen in a long time, it doesn’t mean that it has to fall at any moment. Don’t try to find a hidden system in roulette, because there probably isn’t one.
Roulette is a relatively straightforward game and we think the rules and concepts are very clear. Nevertheless, it is necessary to go through them at least a little bit and get a clear idea of what they represent. It’s definitely not a good idea to bet on something you don’t even understand.
As we remind you with every mention of strategies, none of them is 100% functional. Rather, their role is to work with the bankroll or to optimize losses against gains. None of them will give you guaranteed wins and therefore must be approached as such.
Just as there is a set etiquette in a restaurant or theatre, there is also a clear etiquette at the roulette table. So, if you ever want to visit a brick-and-mortar casino and play roulette, you should know what’s proper and appropriate.
Read our article with the 7 most important tips to go to the casino prepared.
You can often hear strange terms from other players at the table that some newcomers may not understand. Let's explain the most common and most used ones.
This refers to the diamond/square-shaped obstacles inside the wheel that trap the ball, making the spin even more random.
The roulette wheel has either 37 or 38 numbered pockets, depending on the style. In a European style wheel, the numbers on the pockets range from 0 to 36. In an American wheel, the numbers range from 00 to 36. The pockets alternate red and black, except for the green 0 and 00 pockets which represent the house edge. The deeper the pocket the more predictable the spin since bouncing creates unpredictable results.
The frets are the small dividers that separate the numbered pockets on the wheel. They are usually made of metal, and they help to keep the ball bouncing around the wheel as it slows down until the ball slows enough to be held in place in the pocket. The fretsβincluding the size, shape, and installationβare the main thing that affects the bounce and randomness of the ball as it comes to rest in the pocket.
The spindle or shaft is the stationary part of the roulette wheel that attaches the moving part of the wheel to the base. Itβs usually made of metal, and is attached to the base with ball bearings. The integrity of the spindle and the accuracy of the bearings are critical to ensure a balanced wheel spin.
The wheelhead is the entire moving part of the roulette wheel that spins around the spindle, including the cone and the numbered pockets that the ball falls into. It is typically made of metal. Also called a rotor.
An object used by the dealer to indicate a winning number in roulette.
Occasionally, the ball will get stuck on the wheel while turning and may appear to “float”. In reality it is just spinning backwards at the same speed as the wheel and so is just “hanging in the air” and unable to fall.
This refers to the losing chips left on the table before the dealer removes them.
This is called a stand where all players have lost.
It’s the opposite of a cold table. All the players here have won.
A casino employee who oversees the game and is in charge of running the game (placing bets, spinning the roulette wheel, calling the winning number, etc.).
Or the casino’s advantage is a mathematical advantage over the players. For European and French roulette it is 2.70%, for American roulette it is 5.26%. Simply put, a casino on roulette with an RTP (return to player) of 97.3% earns 2.70% over the long term on all bets placed on roulette.
Its essence is the imitation of bets of the winning player, in the hope that the winning player’s luck will persist.
These bets are announced aloud without placing chips. However, in some casinos you must place your chips immediately after the bet is announced.
The amount of money a player sets aside for betting in roulette.
Anyone can understand roulette
Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a complete novice, you’ll have no problem understanding roulette. All bets are as straightforward as possible, betting is simple, and even using strategies doesn’t require any major mathematical thinking. This is why roulette is so popular and has been played for over 200 years. And it will probably continue to be played for a long time to come.
In roulette, it’s all about guessing what number the ball stops on. It is possible to bet not only on the number itself, but also on its colour, whether it will be odd or even, where in the playing field it is located, etc. Bets are made by moving the chips around the screen within a specific time period. When the round is complete, they are evaluated and you find out if you have won or lost.
The probability of winning at roulette varies depending on what bet you place and what type of roulette you are playing. For example, for basic straight bets (with a payout ratio of 1 to 1), the probability of winning in European and French roulette is 48.6%, while in American roulette it is 47.37%.
The main difference between American and European roulette is the number of zeros on the wheel. American roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), which increases the house edge, while European roulette has only one zero, which gives players a better chance of winning.
The safest bets in roulette are the so-called outside bets, which include bets on red/black, even/odd numbers or high/low numbers. These bets offer a nearly 50% chance of winning and a payout ratio of 1:1, which means less risk compared to other types of bets.
It is very difficult to make money playing roulette on a regular and long-term basis. Roulette is a game of chance and the casino always has an advantage over the player. Everyone can win occasionally through luck, but it is impossible to guarantee consistent wins without the risk of losing money.
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