How to Play Roulette
| Updated: Roulette Rules – Understanding the Basics
Roulette is an old game that is still present and highly popular in every casino. It is impossible to overlook the dozens of people gathering around the roulette table. This exciting game has survived through the ages to become one of the most preferred casino games, especially in Monte Carlo and Monaco, which are considered to be its centers.
The reason the game captures the attention of so many people is its simple rules. Here, you don’t need to follow cards or apply complicated mathematical strategies. You just need to focus on the game itself and make the right bet. Of course, luck is the other big contributor to your success in this game.
This article will shed light on roulette’s basic rules, types of wheels, the various bet types, as well as some popular betting systems.
The Basics of Roulette
The game is available online as well as in brick-and-mortar casinos. No matter where you prefer to play, the structure of the game is the same. A wheel is placed on a long table next to the imprinted betting area. The spinning device is an integral part of the game. Even the name of the game means a small wheel. The purpose of every player is to predict the number the ball will land on. Of course, you can place your bet on a whole group of numbers, but the winning number must be part of that group.
The roulette table is supervised by a croupier who is responsible for spinning the ball and handling the bets. Bets are made with chips that are unique to this game. The chips used in the different variants of roulette also differ. Players buy their chips directly from the table. As the game starts, the croupier spins the wheel and sets the ball rolling along the track above the number slots. Players may place bets until the ball slows down and the croupier calls “no more bets”. As the winning number is announced, the croupier pays the winners and collects all lost bets. The new round starts as soon as all bets are handled.
Types of Wheels
Roulette is of French origin, but over the years it has undergone several changes. Thus, we can outline three main variations of the game, which have only slight differences. Do not be discouraged, since the game is pretty much the same, except for some subtle details.
Let’s start with the French variant, since the game is considered to be French. In French roulette, you will see that the table is arranged differently. The wheel is placed on one side and the betting section, also known as the layout, has two main sections for the two types of bets. What is different is that the French layout for outside bets is split and located along both sides of the betting area. This allows more people to join the game.
The wheel itself is the same as in European roulette. It has 37 numbered pockets containing the numbers 0 to 36. The pockets alternate between red and black, while the zero pocket is green. At first sight, the numbers on the wheel appear to be arranged randomly, which is not the case. The numbers on the French and European wheels follow a pattern: next to every high number (19 to 36) there is a low one (1 to 18), with the exception that 5 is next to 10. The presence of a single zero pocket is advantageous to the player, since it provides a house edge of only 2.7% (and in some special cases, which will be mentioned below, the house edge can drop to even 1.35%).
Number Sequence in Single-Zero Roulette Variants
0, 26, 3, 35, 12, 28, 7, 29, 18, 22, 9, 31, 14, 20, 1, 33, 16, 24, 5, 10, 23, 8, 30, 11, 36, 13, 27, 6, 34, 17, 25, 2, 21, 4, 19, 15, and 32
The American wheel, however, is a bit different, as it contains two zero pockets, which increases the house edge to 5.26%. The wheel has 38 pockets covering the numbers 1 to 36 plus single-zero and double-zero pockets. The order of the digits seems to be more systematic, since two consecutive numbers are placed opposite each other. The table layout is the same as the European one, with the exception of the additional square that represents the double-zero pocket.
Number Sequence in Double-Zero Roulette Variants
0, 2, 14, 35, 23, 4, 16, 33, 21, 6, 18, 31, 19, 8, 12, 29, 25, 10, 27, 00, 1, 13, 36, 24, 3, 15, 34, 22, 5, 17, 32, 20, 7, 11, 30, 26, 9, 28
As you can see, the way numbers are arranged on the wheels is not determined by their arithmetic value. With this in mind, the roulette wheel is exceptionally well-balanced, and the numbers are arranged to achieve several things. First off, the distribution of the numbers is designed to confuse gambling enthusiasts. At first, it is challenging for players to find any connection between the wheel sectors and the available bet types; things get even more complicated for total roulette novices when the betting layout is added.
No matter whether players choose a single- or double-zero variant, they should keep in mind that in either case red and black sectors invariably alternate on the wheel. High and low numbers also alternate at all times, and the only exceptions are the sectors for 5 and 10 in European roulette. As for American roulette, the wheel is not as balanced as the one in single-zero games, namely because high and low numbers often stand next to each other. Regarding the distribution of odd and even numbers, they are also uniformly spread across the wheel, and players should note that no more than two odd or even numbers appear together, no matter the chosen variant.
It is interesting to point out that two asymmetries can be observed in single-zero versions of the game. First, when the wheel is divided into two parts from the zero sector, the right side contains all red low numbers and black high numbers. On the left side, however, gambling enthusiasts will spot all the red high numbers and black low numbers. The other asymmetry is that sector 29-32 does not contain a number from the second dozen.
The Best Strategy is the Proper Bet
You can influence neither the wheel nor the ball. Thus, the only thing you control is the bet you place. Best of all, players can place bets on more than one number. Gamblers can also bet on groups of numbers, which increases their chances of winning. The two sections of the layout represent the two main types of bets – “inside” and “outside”.
The Inside Bets in Roulette
These bet types allow players to place bets on one digit or an entire group of digits. The point is that the wager is placed directly on the numbers themselves. Depending on the combination of numbers, the following types of inside bets exist:
Straight Bet
It is placed on one specific number. To make a straight bet you need to set your chips in the middle of the square on the betting layout. The odds of winning are not very high and thus the payout is 35:1.
Split Bet
It is placed on two adjoining numbers on the betting section, whether horizontal or vertical. To make a split bet you need to set the chips on the line in between the numbers. The payout is 17:1.
Street Bet
It is placed on three numbers in a row. You need to place the chips on the intersecting point of the three numbers. The payout is 11:1.
Corner Bet
It is placed on four adjoining numbers. To make a corner bet, you need to set the chips on the intersection part of the four numbers, which visually forms a square. The payout is 8:1.
Five Bet
This typical American bet is placed on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. You need to set the chips on the intersection of the two rows. These are the only numbers on which you can place a five bet. However, this wager is considered the worst in roulette because the house edge is the highest of all bets. It is highly recommended to avoid the five bet. The payout is 6:1.
Sixline Bet
It is placed on six numbers on two adjacent lines. Visually, it resembles two “neighboring” streets. The payout is 5:1.
The Outside Bets in Roulette
These can be described as the simplest wagers, or just “flip a coin” bets. You place your chips on “either… or…”. The outside bets are subdivided into:
Column Bet
It is placed on all numbers included in one of the three columns on the betting area. You need to set the chips on the box at the end of the column. The payout is 2:1.
Dozen/ Group Bet
It is placed on all numbers included in one of the three dozens on the betting section. The payout is 2:1.
Black/ Red Bet
Here you try to predict if the winning number will be in the black or the red section. The payout is 1:1, also known as even money.
Odd/ Even Bet
Similar to the black/ red, but here you try to predict if the lucky number will be even or odd. The payout is even money.
High/ Low Bet
Here you need to predict if the winning number will be from the low (1-18) or high (19-36) section. You need to place the chips on the low or high box. The payout is again even money.
The French Exotic Bets
If you happen to play on a French table, you will notice that all signs and the layout are in French. This should not disturb you, since the game is exactly the same, but it provides some extra possibilities that are a real advantage to the player. The first possibility is an additional betting option provided even by some European tables (this depends on the rules of the casino in which you play).
The main idea of this additional bet is that the wheel is divided into three sections and you place your bet on one of them. Thus, we can outline three different options:
Voisins du Zero Bet
It is placed on 17 numbers of the wheel that neighbor the zero pocket on both sides. In other words, these are the following numbers: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, and 25. The bet costs nine chips, since it is played with a combination of one corner (2 chips), one trio (2 chips), and five split bets (5 chips).
Tiers du Cylindre Bet
It is placed on 12 numbers opposite the “neighbors of zero” from the Voisins du Zero set. Briefly, these are 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33. Since it is made up of split bets, it costs six chips.
Orphelins Bet
This group includes all the numbers not included in the other two main sets: 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34. It can be played as a combination of split bets and will then cost you four chips, or as straight-up bets, which will cost you eight chips.
You can also place your bet on the so-called Finales en Plein, which involves betting on all numbers that end in a digit of your choice. For example, your lucky number is 6, so you bet on 6, 16, 26, and 36.
The other type is called a Finales a Cheval Bet. It is very similar to the Finales en Plein, but here you place your bet on two digits of your choice. For example, you bet on 2 and 6 and all the numbers ending in those digits.
The French Advantageous Rules
In fact, playing at a French table is not daunting because of the following rules, which increase your chances of winning. Moreover, these rules halve the house edge to 1.35%. Every gambler should keep in mind that these are valid only with even-money bets and only if the ball lands in the zero pocket.
En Prison Rule
Your bet stays on the same outside position for the next spin. You lose your stake only if the ball lands on zero again.
La Partage Rule
You give half of your bet to the house and get back the other half. For the next round, you can bet however you like.
Tips for Being Successful in Roulette
For most players, roulette is a game of chance. Many people believe that it does not require any specific skills to win or lose. Bet on whatever number you like – your birthday, anniversary, or another special number – but the chances remain equal. That is true to a great extent, but having a plan is always good. You may be surprised to know that even the position of the croupier and the angle count.
The betting system is what really matters
Over the years, people have tried to apply various methods, but in some cases “it all went wrong”, as people say. Some of these systems have led players to significant financial losses; they are known as negative progression systems. With these, you can lose a large amount of money very quickly because every time you lose, you stake more money. Of course, negative progression can bring you a fortune, but you rely purely on luck, which may seriously harm your finances. Nobody can predict when a losing streak will come to an end. Every spin provides equal chances for every number and color.
That is why it is preferable to use a positive progression system. The main idea behind it is to increase your stake when you win and decrease it when you lose. This makes sense, because during a long losing streak your bankroll will not be harmed as much as with a negative progression. It is worth noting that certain systems do not intend to increase your chances of beating the wheel but to protect your bank account.
Of course, no matter what kind of system you use, you need to play with money you can afford to lose. Do not be misled by the idea that by applying a certain strategy you can dramatically increase your chances to win. The only thing you can do is protect yourself from bankruptcy. The biggest mistake of all gamblers is the dream that they can bet small amounts and expect a great return. Shake off this idea and start managing your money the right way! That is the way to win, even when you lose!
FAQ: How to Play Roulette
The player’s goal in roulette is to correctly predict the number or group of numbers the ball will land on after it loses momentum and settles in a wheel pocket. Players can place bets on a specific number, a range of numbers, colors (red or black), and number parity (odd or even), among others.
There are three primary versions of roulette: French, European, and American. French and European roulette have a single-zero wheel, offering a lower house edge, while American roulette features a double-zero wheel and has nearly twice as high house edge.
Bets are placed on the roulette layout, which corresponds to the numbers and colors on the wheel. Inside bets are made on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. Outside bets cover larger groups, such as red or black, odd or even, and high (19-36) or low (1-18) numbers.
While no strategy can guarantee wins as roulette is a game of chance, systems like the Martingale or the Fibonacci are used by some players to manage bets. However, the outcome of each wheel spin is random, and strategies primarily focus on money management.
Yes, some roulette variants have rules that can lower the house edge. For example, the “La Partage” and “En Prison” rules in French roulette offer players a second chance to recover their losses on even-money bets when the ball lands on zero, reducing the house edge to 1.35% for those bets.