The basics
Roulette is one of the simplest casino games. A wheel with numbered pockets spins one way, a small ball spins the other, and you bet on where the ball will land. There are no decisions to make after the ball drops — just place your chips and watch.
European vs American roulette
| Version | Pockets | Zeros | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 (0–36) | One (0) | 2.70% |
| American | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) | Two (0, 00) | 5.26% |
| French (La Partage) | 37 | One | 1.35% on even-money bets |
Always pick a single-zero wheel when you can. The extra double zero almost doubles the house edge.
How a round works
- Place your chips on the betting layout.
- The dealer spins the wheel and the ball.
- The dealer announces "no more bets".
- The ball lands; the winning number is marked.
- Losing bets are collected and winners are paid.
Inside bets
Placed on specific numbers inside the layout. They win less often but pay more.
| Bet | Covers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8 to 1 |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5 to 1 |
Outside bets
Placed around the edge of the layout. They win almost half the time but pay less.
| Bet | Covers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Red or black | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Odd or even | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| 1–18 or 19–36 | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Dozen | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 |
The zero isn't red or black, odd or even. When it lands, outside bets lose — that's where the house edge comes from.
Tips for playing roulette
- Choose European or French roulette.
- Decide your budget first and split it into small bets so you can enjoy more spins.
- Mix bets for fun, but know that every bet has the same edge on a given wheel.
- Ignore past results. "Hot" numbers and long runs of red don't predict anything.
- Avoid doubling systems. Martingale and similar systems eventually hit a losing streak your bankroll or the table limit can't cover.
Online and live roulette
Online roulette uses a tested random number generator; live roulette streams a real wheel and dealer. Some live games add random multipliers that pay big on lucky numbers but pay less on normal straight-up wins.
Like table games? Compare with Pontoon blackjack or baccarat.