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Oct 1 2024

Roulette Guide

Written by Mila Roy

Roulette rules will guide you step by step on how to play this game. While the rules may vary slightly between different versions, the general gameplay remains the same.

Players place their bets on selected numbers on the roulette table, and the spinning ball in the wheel will determine whether the player’s guess is correct when it lands in a numbered pocket.

Each winning bet is paid out based on the amount wagered and the game’s payout odds. Losing bets are collected by the house.

This guide explains the different rule variations clearly and offers the best tips for winning at roulette.

Roulette Rules for All Participants

Below, we introduce the rules for European Roulette, as this version is most commonly used in online casino games.

If you’re unsure which type of roulette you’re playing online, you can view the detailed instructions in the game’s settings. These will tell you which rules apply to you.

The general gameplay of roulette follows these steps:

Placing Bets: Players place their bets on the roulette table. You can bet on inside and outside bets, as well as special bets.
Dealer’s Announcement: Once all players have placed their bets, the dealer announces, “no more bets.” The betting round ends and the game begins.
Spinning the Wheel: The dealer spins the roulette wheel in one direction and throws a small ball in the opposite direction. The wheel and ball continue spinning until the ball lands in one of the numbered pockets.
Declaring the Winner: Players who have bet on the winning number or another correct outcome are paid out according to their bet and the roulette odds. Losing bets are collected by the house.
Next Round: Players can now place new bets for the next round, and the game continues in the same manner.

While these rules apply to online and live roulette games, they also work for roulette played at land-based casinos.

Types of Bets in Roulette

Though the objective of roulette is simple, the various betting options offer multiple strategic possibilities.

Outside Bets: These have lower risk but also lower payout ratios.
Inside and Special Bets: These are harder to hit but come with much higher payouts.

Additionally, players can place multiple bets in the same round. Each bet is independent and can win or lose without affecting the others.

For example, you can bet on the number 17 and also place a bet on the red colour, even though 17 is a black number. Combination bets increase the cost of the round, but they also boost your chances of winning something.

Outside Bets

Outside bets are a great way to start playing roulette. They offer lower payout ratios but cover a larger range of numbers. The name comes from the location of the betting areas on the roulette table—outside bets are closest to the player.

Using outside bets allows you to keep your bankroll going longer since the wins are more consistent. Below is a table that shows the different outside bets you can place your chips on:

Outside Bet	Payout	Explanation
Red/Black	1:1	Bet on whether the winning number will be red or black.
Even/Odd	1:1	Bet on whether the winning number will be even or odd.
Low/High	1:1	Bet on either low numbers (1-18) or high numbers (19-36).
Dozen	2:1	Bet on one of three groups of 12 numbers (1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12).
Column	2:1	Bet on one of the three columns containing 12 numbers (2 to 1).

These bets are a safer way to start the game, offering more frequent but smaller wins, which helps extend your playtime.

Inside Bets

Inside bets in roulette focus on individual numbers or small groups of numbers. These bets offer higher payout ratios but come with a lower chance of winning compared to outside bets.

Inside bets are ideal for players who are willing to take bigger risks in hopes of winning larger sums in a single round. They also offer flexible ways to combine different bet types and build roulette strategies.

Below is a list of all the inside bets in roulette, along with their payout ratios:

Inside Bet	Payout	Explanation
1 Number (Straight Bet)	35:1	Bet on a single number. You can choose any number between 0–36.
2 Numbers (Split Bet)	17:1	Bet on two adjacent numbers. Place the chip between the two numbers, either vertically or horizontally.
3 Numbers (Street Bet)	11:1	Bet on a row of three numbers. For example, place a bet on 1, 2, and 3 by placing the chip on the line between 1 and the edge of the table.
4 Numbers (Corner Bet)	8:1	Bet on four numbers that form a square, such as 17, 18, 20, and 21.
6 Numbers (Six Line Bet)	5:1	Bet on six numbers across two rows, for example, 16, 17, 18 and 19, 20, 21.
5 Numbers (Basket Bet)	6:1	This bet is specific to American roulette and covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.

These inside bets are for those who want to go after bigger wins by placing bets on more specific numbers or combinations.

Call Bets (Special Bets)

Call bets cover specific groups of numbers on the roulette wheel and are commonly seen in French roulette but can also be found in some European roulette games. These bets are placed on the racetrack, an oval-shaped betting area that represents the numbers as they appear on the physical wheel. The racetrack allows players to place bets on specific sectors of the roulette wheel.

Here’s a table of the call bets you can use in roulette:

Special Bet	Payout	Explanation
Neighbours of Zero	17:1 to 35:1	A bet using 9 chips on 17 numbers surrounding zero on the wheel.
Thirds of the Wheel	17:1	A bet using 6 chips on 12 numbers located on the opposite side of zero.
Orphans	17:1 to 35:1	A bet using 5 chips on 8 numbers not covered by Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre.
Zero Game	26:1	A bet using 4 chips on numbers near zero: 0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32, and 35.
Final Numbers	35:1	A bet on all numbers that end with the same digit (e.g., 3, 13, 23, 33).
Split Final Numbers	17:1 to 35:1	A bet on numbers that end with two different digits (e.g., 3 and 6).

These bets are placed on specific sections of the wheel and are often favoured by more advanced players looking to cover broader parts of the wheel with strategic bets.

Combination Bets

Can you combine racetrack special bets with regular roulette bets?

Yes, in roulette, you can combine special bets with regular bets. For example, you can place a special bet like Voisins du Zéro and at the same time, place a regular bet like a straight up bet on a specific number.

Many players choose to combine outside, inside, and special bets to create their own strategies. For example, a player might place a red/black bet and simultaneously make a corner bet to balance the risk between high-risk and low-risk wagers.

All winning bets are paid according to the roulette odds, and the losing bets go to the house.

What is the payout for “green” in roulette?

In roulette, “green” refers to the number 0 in European and French roulette or the numbers 0 and 00 in American roulette. The zeros are marked in green on the roulette wheel, and their payout (odds) is the same as for a straight bet, 36:1, as they are individual numbers.

Since zero does not fall under red/black, even/odd, or low/high bets, all outside bets with a 1:1 payout lose if the ball lands on zero.

This rule is why the house has an advantage in roulette. The chance of winning is never exactly 50:50, and the two green numbers in American roulette increase the house edge further.

Common Rules Across Roulette Games

Roulette exists in various forms, both as table games and live casino games. While each version has its unique features, roulette rules are generally based on either European, American, or French roulette.

Next, we’ll cover the rules for European, American, and French roulette in detail so you can choose the version that best fits your skill level, risk tolerance, and budget.

European Roulette

European roulette uses a single zero (0). The roulette wheel has 37 pockets in total: numbers 1–36 and one pocket marked with a zero (0). The numbers 1–36 alternate between red and black, while the zero is always green.

The roulette table features a grid of the same numbers found on the wheel. Outside bets like red/black, even/odd, dozens, and columns are placed outside the number grid, while inside bets are placed directly on the numbers or intersections.

Special racetrack bets are also possible in some European roulette games. If the ball lands on zero, all bets that do not include zero lose.

American Roulette

American roulette is especially popular in the United States, but it’s also played at online casinos worldwide. The biggest difference in this version is that the American roulette wheel has two green pockets: zero (0) and double zero (00).

The American roulette wheel features 38 pockets in total: numbers 1–36, one green pocket for zero (0), and another green pocket for double zero (00). The numbers 1–36 alternate between red and black pockets.

A unique feature in American roulette is the Basket Bet, which covers five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. The payout for this bet is 6:1, but it also carries the highest house edge of any bet – up to 7.89%. This makes it one of the least recommended bets for strategic players.

When the ball lands in either of the green pockets, all bets that do not include 0 or 00 lose. The presence of the double zero makes the game less predictable, appealing to players who prefer higher risk.

French Roulette

French roulette is similar in appearance to European roulette, but it includes several French terms and two special rules related to the zero. For example, instead of the usual “low” and “high” numbers, the betting area has “Manque” (numbers 1–18) and “Passe” (numbers 19–36).

The racetrack betting area is used more frequently in French roulette compared to European roulette. When the betting time is over, the dealer announces “rien ne va plus” (“no more bets”). This version is particularly popular in France and Monaco, and it’s known for offering a lower house edge.

La Partage Rule

The La Partage rule applies when a player has placed an even-money bet (like red/black) and the ball lands on zero. Instead of losing the entire bet, the player only loses half of it.

For example, if you bet $20 on black and the ball lands on zero, you get $10 back and lose only $10.

This rule reduces the house edge, making the game more favorable for the player. Without the La Partage rule, you would lose your entire bet, as zero is neither red nor black.

En Prison Rule

The En Prison rule comes into play when a player has placed an even-money bet (such as even/odd) and the ball lands on zero. In this case, the bet remains on the table, “imprisoned” for the next round.

If the player wins the next round, they get their original bet back without any additional winnings. Without the En Prison rule, you would lose your bet immediately.

For example, if you bet $20 on even numbers and the ball lands on zero, your bet is “frozen.” If the next spin results in an even number, you get your $20 back. You only lose your bet if the next outcome is an odd number.

The En Prison rule is especially favorable for players as it gives them a chance to recover their bet.

Roulette Odds

Roulette odds indicate how many times your original bet is paid back if your guess is correct.

The odds are directly tied to how many numbers or options the bet covers and the level of risk. Inside and special bets have higher payouts because they are harder to achieve, while outside bets offer lower payouts with a higher chance of winning.

The best roulette payout is 35:1, which is achieved with a straight-up bet on a single number. For example, if you bet $10 on a number and win, you receive $350 in profit plus your original $10 bet, for a total of $360. However, the probability of hitting a single number is only 2.7%.

The least risky bets are those with 1:1 odds. If you bet $10 and win, you earn $10 in profit, making a total of $20 with your original bet included.

The probability of winning a 1:1 bet in European and French roulette is about 48.65%. In American roulette, this probability drops to 47.37% due to the presence of the double zero (00).

Here’s a breakdown of the odds and probabilities:

Bet Type	Payout	Probability
Single number (straight-up)	35:1	2.70%
Two numbers (split)	17:1	5.41%
Three numbers (street)	11:1	8.11%
Four numbers (corner)	8:1	10.81%
Five numbers (basket bet)	6:1	13.16%
Six numbers (line bet)	5:1	16.22%
Column	2:1	32.43%
Dozen	2:1	32.43%
Low (1–18) / High (19–36)	1:1	48.65%
Even / Odd	1:1	48.65%
Red / Black	1:1	48.65%

Theoretical Return to Player (RTP)

The theoretical return to player (RTP) is calculated based on all bets placed over the long term. It predicts how much of the money wagered will be returned to players but doesn’t guarantee specific winnings.

European roulette has an RTP of 97.3%, giving the house an edge of 2.7%, which is significantly lower than in American roulette due to the presence of only one zero.
American roulette has an RTP of 94.74%. The additional zero (00) on the wheel increases the house edge to 5.26%.
French roulette, when playing with 1:1 bets and using the La Partage or En Prison rules, offers an RTP of 98.65%. Thanks to these special rules involving the zero, the house edge can be as low as 1.35% in French roulette.

Useful Features in Online Roulette

Online roulette offers several advantages that you won’t find at traditional casinos. The rounds are faster, and winnings can be easily transferred to your bank account.

While the rules of roulette are the main focus, the following features improve the gameplay:

Repeat: Replay the exact same bet from the previous round.
Double: Double the bet amount for the same bet. This is particularly useful when using strategies like Martingale.
Clear: Remove all your bets from the table. Handy if you make a mistake or change your mind.
Undo: Similar to “clear,” but only removes your last bet.
Save Bet: Save a betting pattern you regularly use so you can easily place it again.
Recent Results: Easily view the most recent winning numbers.
Hot and Cold Numbers: See which numbers have hit the most and which have hit the least.

Additionally, online roulette allows you to play the game from the comfort of your own home or on the go. Mobile casinos bring roulette to your smartphones and tablets, making it possible to play whenever you want.

Roulette Strategies for Managing Your Budget

Roulette is a game of pure chance. Each round is independent, and past results do not affect future outcomes.

However, there’s nothing stopping players from using different betting strategies. These strategies aim to minimize losses while maximizing potential winnings.

Some of the most well-known strategies include Martingale and D’Alembert, but even responsible bankroll management can take you far.

If you’re an advanced player and want to dive deeper into roulette tactics, check out our detailed Roulette Strategy Guide.

Roulette Glossary – Common Roulette Terms

Using the correct terms helps avoid misunderstandings, which can prevent incorrect bets or other issues during play. Below, you can learn the key roulette terms that will make your gameplay smoother and quicker.

Roulette Terms and Explanations

Term	Explanation
Biased Numbers	Numbers that the ball tends to land on more often than others.
d’Alembert	A betting strategy where the player increases their bet by one unit after a loss and decreases it by one after a win.
En Prison	A rule where, if the ball lands on 0, a 1:1 bet remains for the next round instead of losing.
First 5 or First 4	In American roulette, this bet covers numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. In European roulette, it covers 0, 1, 2, and 3.
Fibonacci	A betting strategy based on the Fibonacci sequence.
Flat Betting	Betting the same amount on the same outcome each round.
Follow the Leader	A strategy where the player bets on the outcome that won in the previous round.
Labouchère System	A strategy where the player adds the amounts of wins and losses to a series and bets the sum of the first and last numbers.
Martingale	A strategy where the player doubles their bet after each loss.
Corner Bet	A bet on four numbers that meet at a corner on the roulette table.
Against the Bank	Betting the same amount from round to round.
Special Line, Basket Bet	A five-number bet in American roulette covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
Split Bet	A bet is placed on two adjacent or vertically aligned numbers.
Sprinkler	A player who bets randomly without a set strategy.
Pocket	The numbered slots on the roulette wheel where the ball lands.

Tips for New Players to Win at Roulette

While strategies can make the game more interesting and help manage your bankroll, they don’t guarantee wins. However, here are a few tips that can improve your chances:

Choose European or French Roulette: The double zero in American roulette increases the house edge and reduces your odds of winning.
Look for Tables with the En Prison Rule: This gives you a chance to recover your bet when the ball lands on zero, rather than losing it entirely.
Pick a Reliable Casino: Make sure the casino is licensed and offers fair play.
Practice with Free Demo Versions: This allows you to test strategies without risking real money.

Keep in mind that your betting style may differ significantly when playing with real money. Be aware of this and adjust your strategy realistically based on your actual bankroll.

Players’ Insights

Roulette players understand that there can be more than one winner in roulette. This is reflected in their betting strategies, where they balance high-risk and low-risk bets to suit their budget.

Advanced players often place multiple bets in the same round and may explore rarer versions of the game to keep things interesting.

Here are some tips for players:

Study and Use Statistics: While roulette is mostly a game of chance, understanding the statistics behind different bet types can help you make more informed decisions.
Utilize Special and Combination Bets: Take advantage of special bets, like those on the racetrack, to cover more sections of the wheel and improve your chances of winning.
Avoid the Gambler’s Fallacy: Remember that each spin of the wheel is independent, and the outcome of previous spins does not affect future ones.
Stick to Your Budget: Don’t get carried away by what other players are doing. Always stay true to your own strategy and budget.

Also, make sure to understand the rules of the game and check the return to player (RTP) percentage before making any decisions. Bets are placed with intention and not just by random guessing.

Author

Mila Roy Content Strategist

Mila Roy is a seasoned Content Strategist at Gamblizard Canada with 8+ years of experience in gambling. Mila has specialized in content strategy creating, crafting detailed analytical guides and professional reviews.