Guide to Playing Roulette: Roulette Bet Strategies and Tips to Play Roulette

Roulette is one of the most popular casino game options, with many gamblers labelling it the best. It is a game of chance that involves a spinning wheel and a ball, with the objective of predicting where the ball will land on the wheel. Roulette offers many distinct betting options and payouts, making it suitable for casino beginners and experienced roulette players.

In this guide, you will learn how to play roulette and everything else you need to know about the game. Then, you will be able to play with confidence and enjoy this exciting game. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

  1. What is Roulette?
  2. Roulette Variants & House Edge
  3. Roulette Wheel and Roulette Table Layout
  4. How to Play Roulette - Live Roulette Basic Rules
  5. Types of Roulette Bets
  6. Roulette Etiquette at Land-Based Casinos
  7. Playing Online Roulette
  8. Tips for Beginners
  9. Conclusion

What is Roulette?

Roulette is a casino game whose name derives from the French word for “small wheel.” It is one of the oldest games, invented in the 17th century by the famous French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal, who was trying to invent a perpetual motion machine. However, some historians claim that roulette has older origins and traces back to ancient China, Rome, or Greece.

Roulette became popular in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in Monte Carlo and France, where it was considered a game of nobility and glamour. Roulette also spread to America, where it underwent some modifications and variations. Today, roulette is played worldwide, both online and at land-based casinos.

Roulette is a pure chance game involving a spinning roulette wheel and a ball. The wheel has numbered pockets, from 0 to 36, and sometimes 00. The pockets are coloured either red or black, except for 0 and 00, which are green. 

The white ball is spun in the opposite direction of the wheel and eventually falls into one of the pockets, determining the game’s outcome.

You can bet on various aspects of the outcome, such as the number, colour, or wheel section where the ball will land. Players place their wagers on a table that has a corresponding layout to the wheel. Game payouts depend on the type and odds of the specific wager. The player who correctly predicts the spin outcome wins and receives the payout.

Roulette

Type of Roulette, Roulette Variants & House Edge

Almost all casinos offer three main versions of roulette: American, European, and French. Each type has features and characteristics that affect the gameplay and the roulette house edge. Here is a brief overview of each type.

American Roulette

The American variant is the most common in North America. What's more, the American roulette wheel features 38 pockets, ranging from 0 to 36, but has an additional 00 number. The 00 pocket works in favour of the casino, increasing the edge to 5.26%, making it less favourable for the players. The order of the numbers on the wheel is also different from the other types.

The table layout of the American version has a single zero and a double zero section, as well as the standard inside and outside bets. Some tables also offer a five-number bet, which covers the lowest numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 and has the worst odds of any roulette wager.

European Roulette

European Roulette is the most popular type in Europe and other parts of the world. It features a wheel with 37 pockets, going from 0 to 36. The absence of the 00 pocket lowers the edge to 2.7%, making it more favourable for the players. The order of the numbers on the wheel is also different from the American version.

The table layout of European Roulette has a single zero section and the standard inside and outside bets. Some European Roulette tables also offer a racetrack section, allowing the players to place wagers on groups of numbers adjacent to the wheel.

French Roulette

French Roulette is a variation primarily played in France and Monte Carlo. It features the same wheel and table layout as European Roulette but with additional rules and features that make it more favourable for the players. The most notable features of French Roulette are:

  • The La Partage rule - This unique rule states that if the ball stops on zero, the players who placed even money bets (red/black, odd/even, low/high) will get half of their stake back, reducing the edge to 1.35% for these bets.
  • The En Prison rule - If the white ball stops on zero, the players who placed even-money bets can either take half of their stake back or leave their bet “in prison” for the next spin. If the following spin wins, the player gets their entire stake back. If the following spin results in a loss, the player loses their entire stake. This rule also significantly lowers the house edge to 1.35% for even-money bets.

This roulette version uses French terms for the bets, such as rouge/noir, pair/impair, manque/passe, etc.

Roulette Wheel and Roulette Table Layout

The wheel and table layout are the essential components of the game. They determine the possible outcomes and bets that the players can make. Here is a brief description of each element.

The Wheel

The roulette wheel is a circular device divided into numbered and coloured pockets. The pockets are alternately coloured red and black, except for 0 and 00, which are green. The wheel numbers are not arranged in a sequential order but rather in a specific pattern that varies depending on the roulette version. 

The roulette dealer or a mechanism turns the wheel, and the ball drops into it. The ball eventually loses its strength and falls into one of the pockets, determining the winning colour and number.

The wheel has two main parts: the bowl and the rotor. The bowl is the outer part of the wheel that holds the ball and the pockets. The rotor is the wheel’s inner part that spins and has the numbers on it. The wheel also has a metal or plastic track that runs along the edge of the bowl, where the ball rolls before falling into a pocket.

The Table

The roulette table is a rectangular surface with a corresponding layout to the wheel. The table is where the players place their bets, using roulette chips of different colours and values. 

There are two main sections on the table: the inside and outside. The inside section has individual numbers that match the wheel numbers. The outside section has groups of numbers or other categories that cover a more significant portion of the wheel. The table may also have a racetrack section, allowing the players to place bets on groups of numbers adjacent to the wheel.

Players usually surround the table and can sit or stand around the wheel. One or more dealers supervise the live casino table. They are responsible for turning the wheel, dropping the ball, announcing the winning colour and number, collecting the losing bets, and paying out the winners. 

The dealers also enforce the rules and etiquette of the game and assist the players with any questions or issues.

How to Play Roulette - Live Roulette Basic Rules

Roulette is a simple casino game that anyone can learn and play. The classic roulette rules are as follows:

  • The game begins when the live dealer roulette announces, “Place your bets.” The players place their chips on the table on the desired number or category. The players can place as many bets as they want if they do not exceed the table limit. The players can also change or remove their bets until the dealer says, “No more bets”. Once that's done, the dealer will spin the wheel.
  • The dealer spins the roulette wheel in one direction and drops the ball in the other direction. The ball rolls along the track of the wheel and eventually falls into one of the pockets, determining the winning colour or number.
  • The roulette dealer announces the winners and places a marker on the table on the corresponding number. The dealer then collects all the losing bets and pays the winning bets. The players can collect their cash and place new bets for the next spin or leave the table if they wish.
  • The game continues until the dealer or the casino decides to stop it or until there are no players at the table.

These rules of roulette apply to most types of this game. However, variations or exceptions may vary depending on the casino or the online platform. 

For example, some casinos may have different betting limits, payouts, or rules for the zero and the double zero. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the specific rules and conditions of the roulette version before playing.

Roulette guide

Types of Bet, Betting Option & Roulette Odds

Roulette offers numerous betting options and payouts, making it suitable for beginners and experienced players. We can divide these bets into two main categories: inside and outside. 
Inside bets are bets on specific numbers or smaller groups, while outside bets are bets on larger groups or other categories. Here is a brief overview of each type of bet and its odds and payout.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are placed on the table’s inside section, where the individual numbers are located. Inside bets offer better payouts but have lower odds of winning. Here are the different types of inside bets:

  • Straight. This is a bet on a single number, such as 17. The payout is 35:1, and the odds are 2.7% for the European version and 2.6% for American.
  • Split. You place this bet on two adjacent numbers, like 14 and 17. The payout is 17 to 1, and the odds are 5.4% for the European version and 5.3% for American.
  • Street. This is a bet on three successive numbers in a horizontal line, such as 13, 14, and 15. The payout is 11 to 1, and the odds are 8.1% for the European version and 7.9% for American.
  • Corner/Square. This is a bet on four numbers that form a square, such as 11, 12, 14, and 15. The payout is 8 to 1, and the odds are 10.8% for the European version and 10.5% for American.
  • Six Line/Double Street. This is a bet on six numbers that form two adjacent horizontal lines, such as 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The payout is 5 to 1, and the odds are 16.2% for the European version and 15.8% for American.
  • Trio. This is a bet on three numbers that include zero or the double zero, such as 0, 1, and 2, or 00, 2, and 3. The payout for this bet is 11 to 1, and the odds are 8.1% for the European version and 7.9% for American.
  • Basket. This is a bet on the first four numbers on the American table, which are 0, 00, 1, and 2. The payout is 6 to 1, and the odds are 13.2% for American. This bet is not available on the European table.

Outside Bets

Outside bets go on the table’s outside section, where the groups of numbers or other categories are. Outside bets have lower payouts but higher odds of winning. The following are the types of outside bets:

  • Red or Black. This is a bet on the winning colour not the number, either red or black. The bet payout is 1:1, and the odds are 48.6% for the European version and 47.4% for American Roulette.
  • Odd or Even. This is a bet on whether the winning number is odd or even. The payout of this bet is 1:1, and the odds are 48.6% for the European version and 47.4% for American Roulette.
  • Low (1-18) or High (19-36). This is a bet on whether the winning number is low (between 1 and 18) or high (between 19 and 36). The payout is 1:1, and the odds are 48.6% for European Roulette and 47.4% for American Roulette.
  • Dozens. This bet is on one of the three groups of 12 numbers, either 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. The payout is 2:1, and the odds are 32.4% for European Roulette and 31.6% for American Roulette.
  • Columns. This bet is on one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers: 1, 4, 7, 10, etc. The payout is 2:1, and the odds are 32.4% for European Roulette and 31.6% for American Roulette.

Roulette Etiquette at Land-Based Casinos

Roulette requires following certain etiquette for a pleasant experience. When playing this game at land-based casinos, there are some rules and manners that you should follow to ensure a smooth and enjoyable game. Here are some of the most important ones:

  • Conduct at the table. Be respectful and courteous to the dealer and the other players. Do not touch or interfere with the wheel, the ball, or the marker. Avoid distractions or disruptions, such as using your phone or talking loudly.
  • Handling chips and placing bets. You should use the appropriate chips for the table and exchange them with the dealer before leaving. Place your bets clearly and neatly on the table and avoid overlapping or covering other bets. Respect the betting limits and the minimum and maximum bets of the table. Do not place any bets after the dealer announces “No more bets” or try to change or remove their bets after the outcome is determined.
  • Interacting with the dealer and other players. Communicate with the dealer and the other players politely and kindly. Do not argue or complain about the outcome, the payouts, or the rules. A good word of advice is to tip the dealer after a significant win as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill. Also, congratulate the other players if they win, and avoid rude or negative comments.

Online Roulette Rules & Roulette Strategies

Online gameplay is convenient and accessible, allowing you to enjoy this game from home or anywhere else. The online version offers many advantages and features that make it appealing and exciting for the players.

Online roulette has many similarities and differences to land-based roulette. Some similarities are the rules, the types, the bets, and the payouts, which are the same or very similar. 

Some differences are that online games are faster, easier, and more flexible, as the players can play at their own pace, choose their stakes, and switch between different variations. This online game has more options and features, such as bonuses, promotions, live dealer games, and roulette chat functions.

Choosing an online casino is an essential step for online roulette. Look for a reputable, licensed, safe online casino offering various roulette games, a user-friendly interface, a generous welcome bonus, and reliable customer support. You should also check the reviews and ratings of the online casino and compare the pros and cons of different options.

Remember that online games offer many variations and adaptations of the classic game, such as mini roulette, multi-wheel roulette, and progressive roulette. These variations have different features and rules that can affect the gameplay and the odds. Examine the differences and similarities between the variations, and choose the one that suits your preferences and skills.

Playing online is generally safe and secure if you follow some essential tips and precautions. These include choosing a trustworthy and legitimate online casino, using a secure and stable internet connection, setting a budget and a time limit, and playing responsibly and for fun.

Roulette guide online

Roulette Tips for Beginners

Roulette is a fun and exciting game that anyone can play and enjoy, regardless of experience or skill level. However, some tips and tricks can help beginners improve their chances of winning and have a better gaming experience. Here are some of them.

  • Bankroll management - One of the most important aspects of playing roulette is managing your money wisely. You should set a budget and a limit for how much money you can afford to lose and stick to it. You should also avoid chasing losses or betting more than you can afford. You should divide your bankroll into smaller units and bet only a fraction on each spin to make it last longer and reduce the risk of losing it all at once.
  • Choosing the right version of roulette - As we have seen, different roulette versions have distinct features and house edges. You should select the type that suits your preferences and goals. Generally, European Roulette and French Roulette are more favourable for the players, as they have a lower house edge and some beneficial rules. American Roulette, on the other hand, has a higher house edge and a lower chance of winning, but it may offer more excitement and challenge for some players.
  • Importance of understanding the odds - Luck is at the heart of roulette, and the outcome of each spin is unpredictable and independent of the previous ones. However, you can enhance your chances by understanding the math of each bet and outcome. You should know that some bets have higher payouts but lower odds of winning, while others have lower payouts but higher odds of winning. Also, understand that the house always has an advantage over the players and that no roulette strategy or system can guarantee a win or eliminate the risk of losing.
  • When to walk away - This game can be very addictive and tempting, especially when you are winning or losing. However, you should know when to stop and leave the table to avoid losing more than you can afford or wasting your winnings. Set a goal and a limit for yourself and quit the game when you reach them or feel that you are not having fun anymore.

By following these tips, you can have a fun and rewarding game of roulette and avoid typical mistakes and pitfalls that can ruin your experience.

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this guide to roulette on how to play. I have shared everything you need to know about this fantastic casino game, from its history and types to its rules and bets to its strategies and tips. 
I have also shown you how to play roulette online and at land-based casinos, follow etiquette, and have a fun and smooth game. Roulette is a game of chance but also a game of excitement and enjoyment. Play responsibly, and best of luck at the tables.