How to Play Roulette – Simple Guide to Roulette Rules

The game of Roulette is a very popular game, especially for beginners starting out, as it requires no skill. It is a simple game involving a roulette wheel with slots numbered 1 to 36 as well as two additional slots for 0 and 00. Watch as the dealer whips the white ball around the wheel, and you make bets as to where it will land. There are so many ways to play and to win, it is worth giving it a try.

In this guide we reveal how to play roulette, different strategies you can incorporate into your game, the odds of winning, payouts and so much more.

What is Roulette?

The roulette wheel was first invented way back in the 18th century by a French physicist by the name of Blaise Pascal. A primitive form of roulette was played in England in the 18th century using a gaming wheel similar to the current roulette wheel. This game was known as EO (Even/Odd).

The zero did not exist on the roulette wheel until the middle of the 19th century. Francois and Lois Blanc then designed a roulette wheel with a single zero on it. Adding the zero gave the house a bigger advantage.

In the 1800’s, Roulette made its way to US soil. This is when the double zero was added to the roulette wheel and gave the house an even bigger edge. Instead of 37 numbers, the American Roulette wheel has 38 – 1 to 36, 0 and 00.

Today, the Roulette wheel with a single zero is known as European Roulette and the wheel with the double zero is known as American Roulette.

How Does Roulette Work? – The Roulette Rules

Roulette is an easy to play casino game that does not involve complicated rules at all compared to other table games. This is a great game and a good opportunity for beginners to win at the game.

The Roulette table is made up of the betting board/Felt and the wheel. The board has all the possible bets you can make, and you will place your betting chips on it. The wheel is what will determine the result of each round played. The two versions of Roulette will have two different wheel designs. The European version will have 37 pockets with a single zero, while the American version will have 38 pockets with a single zero and a double zero. The European version is a favorite, as it has better winning opportunities. Each number on the wheel will be either black or red and the zero pockets are green. The while ball is placed on the spinning wheel and when the ball stops it will land on any pocket number and that will determine the outcome of the round.

How to Play Roulette

Now that we have discussed the layout of the game, let’s have a look at how the game actually works and is played.

Step 1: Place your bet – before any round starts, you will place your bet. To increase your opportunity of winning, it is possible to have multiple bets in one round. You are betting on where you think the white ball is likely going to land.

Step 2: Spin the wheel – whether playing at an online casino, a live casino or at a land-based casino, the dealer will then spin the wheel and drop the white ball over the wheel. You will need to speculate where the ball will land.

Step 3: The outcome – when the wheel comes to a stop, the ball will settle into a pocket. In online roulette games, RNG (Random Number Generator) is used to determine the outcome.

Step 4: The result – if you are lucky, you will receive a payout. The next round will begin after the result and the process will be repeated.

Different Types of Roulette Bets

As mentioned above, there are many different types of bets you can make in Roulette. Each of these bets have specific odds and payouts, which will be discussed at a later stage. The many bets you can place in roulette are broken down into two main categories, these are inside bets and outside bets.

Inside Bets

As the name implies, these are bets placed in the inside segments of the table. Inside bets are placed on numbers. Chances of winning with these bets are low, but payouts are higher. There are 6 possible inside bets that you can make. These are:

1. Straight Up – this is a single number bet. You will place your chips over a specific number. If the ball lands on that number, you will win.
2. Split – this is when you will bet on two adjacent numbers. You will place your betting chips on the edge between the 2 numbers. If the ball lands on either of those 2 numbers, you will win.
3. Street – this is also known as a trio bet and it is when you place your bet on three numbers. It will be your preferred 3 numbers in a vertical line. You will win if the ball lands on any of these numbers in the row.
4. Corner – this is when you place a bet on four numbers that form a square on the felt. You will place your chips at the core of all 4 numbers. You will win if the ball drops on any 4 of these numbers.
5. Basket – this bet covers 5 digits (0, 00, 1, 2 & 3). If the ball drops in any of these 5 digits you win. You will place your chips on the cord between the 0 and 1.
6. Line – this bet covers 6 numbers in 2 rows. It is 2 adjacent streets. You will bet by placing your bets between your ideal 2 streets. If the ball falls on any of the 6 numbers then you will win.

Outside Bets

These are bets that are placed on the outside of the outer segment of the roulette table. The probability of winning with these bets are higher than with inside bets, but they offer lower payouts. Outside bets can be divided into 5 categories:

1. Black/Red – you will place your bet according to the color. You will place your chips on either the black section or red section of the belt. If the ball lands on any number with the color that you have chosen, you win.
2. Odd/Even – with this bet you will choose whether the ball will land on an odd or an even number. If the ball lands on the option you chose, you will win.
3. High/Low – with this bet you will decide whether the ball will land on a high number (19-36) or a low number (1-18). You will place your chips on either the high or low option on the left.
4. Column – at the bottom of the roulette felt there is a ‘2 to 1’ written. You will place your chips on the column of your choice. You will win if the ball lands on any number in your chosen column.
5. Dozen – here you bet that the ball will land on one of the three ‘12’ squares. Place your chips on either the first, second or third 12 section. If the ball lands on any of the numbers in your 12 section, you will win.

How Many Numbers Are on A Roulette Table? – Roulette Table Rules

The roulette table is arranged in 2 sections, the inside and the outside. The inside section has 36 numbered squares that are either black or red in color. The outside has boxes that cover a wider range of numbers such as red or black, odd or even etc. The roulette table has numbers from 1 to 36 with a 0 and 00 for the American Roulette version. The European Roulette version has 37 numbers on the table. These are 1 to 36 and a single zero. The French Roulette Table also has 37 numbers and the same formation with a single zero as the European version does. You can bet on any squares or numbers on the table or a combination of them like we mentioned before.

How Many Numbers Are There on A Roulette Wheel?

Roulette wheels are numbered from 0 to 36. The European Roulette wheels will have 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets and a single 0 which is a green pocket. The American Roulette wheel is numbered the same with the red and black pockets but will have an extra green pocket with a 00.

The numbers on a roulette wheel do not run in order, they are arranged to balance high and low numbers and odd and even numbers. The numbers are also in different positions for the two different versions of Roulette.

What numbers Hit the Most in Roulette?

As roulette is a game of chance and it relies on luck as to where the ball will land each spin, it is difficult to say which numbers will hit the most.

Generally speaking, the numbers that come up the most in roulette will be in the outside bets category. With a good strategy, you are likely to find the following bets being the most common to win.

• First 12 and Second 12.
• Odd or Even bets
• Red or Black
• High or Low bets

Many people believe that the number 7 is a lucky number, so this is the most popular number bets are placed on. Number 17 is in the middle of the roulette table and is associated with many mathematical theories and is also very popular amongst bettors. Lastly the numbers 23 and 24 are also located in the middle of the table and many bets are placed on these 2 numbers.

How to Win at Roulette – Best Roulette Strategies

Roulette is a game of chance, and it is important for anybody wanting to play roulette to know this. There are, however, many strategies that have helped players to increase their bankroll. Below are a few of the most common strategies but take note that none of them will work 100% to perfection and nothing is guaranteed.

The Martingale Strategy

This is probably the most common strategy used by roulette players. Simply put, this strategy encourages you to make even bets only. You will then double your previous chip stake whenever you lose.

Labouchere System

The strategy states that you should set the win amount that you desire. Depending on whether you’re winning or losing, you’ll need to change your stake amounts. This technique allows you to picture how much more you need to win to hit your target amount. By doing that, you’ll be avoiding more losses.

D’Alembert System

This roulette strategy is very similar to the Martingale system. When a player loses a round, this strategy prompts them to increase their bets.

Fibonacci System

This strategy relies on the well-known Fibonacci mathematical sequence. Here, you bet as per the Fibonacci sequence. If you win, you proceed to the succeeding number. If you lose, you go back two steps in the series.

Different Variations of Roulette

As we have mentioned before, there are different versions to the game of roulette and each version is slightly different from the next. The three main versions that are commonly known include American Roulette, European Roulette and French Roulette. Each of these will be explained in more detail below.

How to Play American Roulette

American Roulette is different to the European and French version in that it has double zero 00 as well as a single zero 0. This extra zero lowers your chances of winning. The house edge will be higher. Even money wagers will lose if the ball lands on the 0 or 00 in American Roulette. If you are a beginner and new to Roulette, the American version should be avoided, due to obvious reasons. High rollers and risk takers can enjoy this version.

How to Play European Roulette

The European version of Roulette is the most commonly played roulette game at both land based as well as online casinos. The main reason for this being that there is a higher chance of winning. Compared to the American roulette version, the European wheel only has a single zero. The house edge of European roulette is lower. As with American Roulette, you will lose your even chip bets if the ball lands on the 0.

How to Play French Roulette

The French roulette version has the lowest house edge of them all. As with the European version, French roulette also only has a single zero pocket. There are 2 specific rules in French Roulette which we will discuss below.

• La Partage – The rule allows players to get back half their stake on even money bets if the ball falls on zero.

• En Prison – This rule is similar to la partage, except half of the player’s stake remains on the table. The term can translate to ‘in prison’ in English since the player’s stake is not returned to them. Instead, it’s saved for the next bet.

Comparing Roulette Variants

Tips and How to Play Roulette for Beginners

1. Start off by playing European Roulette as the probability of winning is greater than American Roulette.2.
2. Many casinos offer a demo version of the game, practice here before placing your real money bets.
3. Set yourself limits and never wager more than what you can afford. Always practice responsible gambling.
4. Remember that Roulette is a game of chance, so do not rely on tactics and strategies too much- no strategy is perfect and will not guarantee you win.
5. You may place your bets while the wheel is spinning but once the ball is placed into the area of the numbered pockets, the dealer will call “no more bets”.
6. Remember that you will not get rich by playing Roulette – in the long term you will lose money.

What Are the Odds in Roulette and How Much Does Roulette Pay?

Once you know how to play Roulette, understand the rules and how the game works, it is important to know how much you stand to win with each bet and how much the game pays out. Understanding the roulette odds and roulette payouts will help you to make decisions involving your bets. Obviously, as with any casino game, the goal is to win as much as possible and not lose all your money. Roulette odds and Roulette payouts are generally the same across all three versions of the game. The difference comes with regard to win probabilities. As mentioned before, the house edge also differs between each variant.

The basket bet option is only available in the American Roulette version and not the European version or French version of the game. The win probabilities in American roulette are lower than European and French Roulette, that is why it would be better to play the European version for better winning opportunities.

What is the Payout on Roulette? – Win Probabilities and Odds

Below we have created a table summarizing the odds and payouts of the three different roulette variants as well as the win possibilities. You can refer to this table as a guide any time you are playing the game.

What Does 00 Pay in Roulette?

If you bet on 0 or 00 in American Roulette, and your bet hits, you will get a payout of 35 to 1. If you place a row bet, which means betting on both the 0 and 00, and your bet hits, you will get a payout of 17 to 1.

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Conclusion

After having a detailed look at the three different roulette versions, namely American Roulette, European Roulette and French Roulette, it is evident to see why European Roulette is the version of choice for most gamblers. European Roulette is the easiest to learn how to play and the single 0 provides for better winning opportunities. Enjoy playing roulette online and in live casinos or in one of the best land-based casinos and watch the wheel spin in front of your eyes.

FAQs on How to Play Roulette