The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games in the world. A croupier spins a ball around a numbered wheel, and players bet on where the ball will land when the wheel slows. Despite appearing complex, the game's rules are straightforward once you understand the betting layout.
The Roulette Wheel
There are two main versions of the roulette wheel:
- European Roulette: 37 pockets numbered 0–36. House edge: ~2.7%.
- American Roulette: 38 pockets numbered 0–36 plus an additional 00. House edge: ~5.26%.
Always choose European Roulette when available — the single zero wheel gives you significantly better odds than the double-zero American version.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the numbered grid. They offer higher payouts but lower probability of winning.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | A single number | 35:1 |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 |
| Corner (Square) | Four numbers forming a square | 8:1 |
| Six Line | Two adjacent rows (six numbers) | 5:1 |
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and are located around the outer edge of the betting layout. They have higher win probabilities but lower payouts.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | Colour of the winning number | 1:1 |
| Odd / Even | Whether the number is odd or even | 1:1 |
| High / Low | 1–18 (Low) or 19–36 (High) | 1:1 |
| Dozen | 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36 | 2:1 |
| Column | One of three vertical columns | 2:1 |
Note: All outside bets lose if the ball lands on 0 (or 00 in American roulette).
Called Bets (French Roulette)
In French and some European variants, additional bet types called announced or called bets are available. These cover specific sections of the wheel rather than the grid:
- Voisins du Zéro — Covers 17 numbers around the zero on the wheel.
- Tiers du Cylindre — Covers 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel to zero.
- Orphelins — Covers the 8 numbers not included in the above two groups.
Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison
Some European roulette tables offer rules that further reduce the house edge on even-money bets:
- La Partage: If the ball lands on 0, you receive half your even-money bet back.
- En Prison: If the ball lands on 0, your even-money bet is "imprisoned" and rides on the next spin. If it wins, you get your stake back.
With La Partage, the house edge on even-money bets drops to approximately 1.35%, making it one of the best available in any casino game.
How a Round Proceeds
- Players place bets on the table layout.
- The croupier spins the wheel and launches the ball in the opposite direction.
- When the ball is about to settle, the croupier calls "no more bets."
- The ball lands — the winning number is announced and marked.
- Losing bets are cleared; winning bets are paid out.
- A new round begins.
Summary
Roulette is accessible, visually engaging, and offers a wide range of betting options to suit both cautious and bold players. Stick to European roulette, understand the payout ratios for the bets you're placing, and you'll be well-prepared every time the wheel spins.