How to Play Roulette
| Updated: Roulette Rules: Understanding the Basics
Roulette is an old game that remains highly popular in casinos. It is hard to overlook the crowds gathering around a roulette table. This exciting game has survived through the ages to become one of the most popular casino games, especially in Monte Carlo, Monaco, which is considered one of its centers.
The game captures the attention of so many people because of its simple rules. You do not need to track cards or apply complicated mathematical strategies. You simply need to focus on the game and choose your bet. Of course, luck is another major contributor to your success in roulette.
This article explains the basic rules of roulette, wheel types, and the available bets, as well as some popular betting systems.
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The Basics of Roulette
The game is available online and in brick-and-mortar casinos. No matter where you prefer to play, its basic structure is the same. A wheel is placed on a long table next to the printed betting area. The wheel is an integral part of the game, and the name itself means “small wheel.” The aim of every player is to predict the number on which the ball will land. You can also bet on a 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 specific to the game. The chips used in different roulette variants may also differ. Players buy their chips directly at the table. At the start of a round, the croupier spins the wheel and launches the ball along the track above the numbered pockets. Players may place bets until the ball slows down and the croupier calls “no more bets”. Once the winning number is announced, the croupier pays the winners and collects the losing bets. A new round starts as soon as all bets have been settled.
Types of Wheels
Roulette originated in France, but it has undergone several changes over the years. Three main versions of the game can be identified, with relatively small differences between them. The game is largely the same across these versions, apart from a few details.
Let us start with the French variant, since roulette is considered a French game. In French roulette, the table is arranged differently. The wheel is placed on one side, while the betting section, also known as the layout, contains the two main types of bets. The outside-bet section of the French layout is divided and positioned along both sides of the betting area. This arrangement allows more people to join the game.
The wheel itself is the same as the one used in European roulette. It has 37 numbered pockets covering 0 to 36. The pockets alternate between red and black, while the zero pocket is green. At first glance, the numbers appear to be arranged randomly, but this is not the case. The numbers on French and European wheels follow a pattern. High numbers from 19 to 36 and low numbers from 1 to 18 are generally interspersed, although 5 is positioned next to 10. The presence of a single zero pocket benefits the player because it produces a house edge of 2.7%. Under the special rules discussed below, the house edge can fall to 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 is different because it contains two zero pockets, increasing 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 arrangement appears more systematic, with pairs of consecutive numbers positioned opposite each other. The table layout is the same as the European layout, apart from the additional square representing 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 arrangement of numbers on the wheels is not determined by their arithmetic value. The roulette wheel is carefully balanced, and its numbers are arranged to achieve several objectives. First, the distribution of the numbers makes patterns difficult for players to follow. It can be challenging to find a connection between the wheel sectors and the available bet types. The game may appear even more complicated to complete beginners once the betting layout is added.
Regardless of whether players choose a single-zero or double-zero variant, red and black pockets alternate around the wheel, apart from the green zero pockets. On the European wheel, high and low numbers are generally interspersed, with 5 and 10 being a notable exception. The American wheel is less balanced in this respect than the wheels used in single-zero games, as high and low numbers are often positioned next to each other. Odd and even numbers are also spread across the wheel, with no more than two odd or even numbers appearing consecutively in either variant.
Two asymmetries can be observed in single-zero versions of the game. First, when the wheel is divided into two parts from the zero pocket, the right side contains all the red low numbers and black high numbers. On the left side, players will find all the red high numbers and black low numbers. The other asymmetry is that the wheel sector running from 29 to 32 does not contain a number from the second dozen.
The Best Strategy Is the Proper Bet
You cannot influence the wheel or the ball. Therefore, the only thing you control is the bet you place. Players can bet on more than one number or on groups of numbers, which increases their chances of landing a winning bet. The two sections of the layout represent the two main types of bets: “inside” and “outside” bets.
The Inside Bets in Roulette
These bet types allow players to wager on one number or a small group of numbers. The wager is placed directly on the numbers themselves. Depending on the selected combination, the following types of inside bets are available:
Straight Bet
This bet is placed on one specific number. To make a straight bet, you need to place your chips in the middle of the corresponding square on the betting layout. The odds of winning are low, so the payout is 35:1.
Split Bet
This bet is placed on two adjoining numbers, either horizontally or vertically. To make a split bet, you need to place the chips on the line between the numbers. The payout is 17:1.
Street Bet
This bet is placed on three numbers in a row. You need to place the chips at the end of the row where the three numbers meet. The payout is 11:1.
Corner Bet
This bet is placed on four adjoining numbers. To make a corner bet, you need to place the chips at the intersection of the four numbers, which visually form a square. The payout is 8:1.
Five Bet
This American roulette bet is placed on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. You need to place the chips at the intersection of the two rows. These are the only numbers covered by a five bet. However, this wager is considered one of the worst in roulette because it has the highest house edge among the standard bets. Players are generally advised to avoid the five bet. The payout is 6:1.
Six-Line Bet
This bet is placed on six numbers across two adjacent rows. Visually, it resembles two neighboring streets. The payout is 5:1.
The Outside Bets in Roulette
These are straightforward wagers that cover larger groups of numbers. Outside bets are divided into the following types:
Column Bet
This bet covers all the numbers in one of the three columns on the betting area. You need to place the chips in the box at the end of the selected column. The payout is 2:1.
Dozen/Group Bet
This bet covers all the numbers in one of the three dozens on the betting layout. The payout is 2:1.
Black/Red Bet
Here, you try to predict whether the winning number will be black or red. The payout is 1:1, also known as even money.
Odd/Even Bet
This bet is similar to the black/red bet, but you try to predict whether the winning number will be odd or even. The payout is even money.
High/Low Bet
Here, you need to predict whether the winning number will be from the low range of 1-18 or the high range of 19-36. You place the chips in the corresponding low or high box. The payout is even money.
The French Exotic Bets
If you play at a French table, you may notice that the signs and layout labels are in French. This should not be a concern because the game is essentially the same, although it provides some additional betting options. Some European tables also offer these bets, depending on the rules of the casino where you play.
The main idea behind these additional bets is that the wheel is divided into three sections, and you place your wager on one of them. The three options are as follows:
Voisins du Zero Bet
This bet covers 17 numbers on the wheel that neighbor the zero pocket on both sides. These numbers are 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, and 25. The bet costs nine chips because it combines one corner bet using two chips, one trio using two chips, and five split bets using five chips.
Tiers du Cylindre Bet
This bet covers 12 numbers opposite the Voisins du Zero section. These numbers are 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33. Since the wager consists of split bets, it costs six chips.
Orphelins Bet
This group includes all the numbers not covered by the other two main sets: 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34. It can be played using a combination of split and straight-up bets or as eight separate straight-up bets.
You can also place a bet called Finales en Plein, which covers all numbers ending in a digit of your choice. For example, if your chosen digit is 6, you bet on 6, 16, 26, and 36.
The other type is called a Finales a Cheval Bet. It is similar to Finales en Plein, but you place your wager on two ending digits of your choice. For example, you may bet on 2 and 6, covering all the numbers ending in either digit.
The French Advantageous Rules
Playing at a French table is not as daunting as it may seem because the following rules can benefit the player. These rules reduce the house edge to 1.35%. They apply only to even-money bets when the ball lands in the zero pocket.
En Prison Rule
Your even-money bet remains on the same outside position for the next spin instead of being lost immediately.
La Partage Rule
You give half of your bet to the house and receive the other half back. You can then bet however you like during the next round.
Tips for Being Successful in Roulette
Roulette is primarily a game of chance. Whether you bet on your birthday, anniversary, or another special number, the odds remain the same. However, having a plan and setting a budget are always worthwhile.
Betting Systems and Money Management
Over the years, players have tried various betting methods, some of which have resulted in significant financial losses. These include negative progression systems, which require you to increase your stake after every loss. With these systems, you can lose a large amount of money very quickly. Although negative progression can produce short-term wins, it relies heavily on luck and may seriously harm your finances. Nobody can predict when a losing streak will end, and each spin is independent.
A positive progression system takes a different approach. The main idea is to increase your stake when you win and decrease it when you lose. During a long losing streak, your bankroll may not be affected as severely as it would be with a negative progression system. It is important to remember that betting systems cannot increase your chances of beating the wheel. Their primary purpose is to provide a structured approach to bankroll management.
Regardless of the system you use, you should play only with money you can afford to lose. Do not assume that applying a particular strategy will dramatically increase your chances of winning. A strategy may help you manage your bankroll and limit your losses, but it cannot change the underlying odds. Set realistic expectations and manage your money responsibly.
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.