Roulette Rules

Complete guide to understanding and playing casino roulette

Understanding Roulette

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games worldwide. The game consists of a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a betting table where players place their bets. The goal is to predict where the ball will land after the wheel stops spinning.

Roulette Wheel and Table
Key Fact: Roulette is a game of chance, but understanding the rules and betting options can help you make informed decisions and apply strategies like the martingale system.

Game Setup and Equipment

A roulette game consists of several key components:

Roulette Wheel
  • 37 pockets (0-36) in European roulette
  • 38 pockets (0-36 + 00) in American roulette
  • Alternating red and black numbers
  • Green pocket for zero(s)
Betting Table
  • Number grid (0-36)
  • Outside betting areas
  • Betting limits displayed
  • Payout odds shown

Betting Options and Payouts

Roulette offers various betting options, each with different odds and payouts:

Inside Bets (Higher Risk, Higher Payouts)

Bet Type Description Payout Probability
Straight Up Single number (0-36) 35:1 2.7%
Split Two adjacent numbers 17:1 5.4%
Street Three numbers in a row 11:1 8.1%
Corner Four adjacent numbers 8:1 10.8%
Six Line Six numbers in two rows 5:1 16.2%

Outside Bets (Lower Risk, Lower Payouts)

Bet Type Description Payout Probability
Red/Black All red or black numbers 1:1 48.6%
Even/Odd All even or odd numbers 1:1 48.6%
1-18/19-36 Low or high numbers 1:1 48.6%
Dozen 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 2:1 32.4%
Column Any column of 12 numbers 2:1 32.4%

How to Play Roulette

Follow these steps to play roulette:

Step 1: Place Bets

Choose your betting strategy and place chips on the betting table. You can make multiple bets in different areas.

Step 2: Wheel Spins

The dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball. No more bets can be placed once the ball is in motion.

Step 3: Ball Lands

The ball eventually lands in one of the numbered pockets. This determines the winning number.

Step 4: Collect Winnings

Winning bets are paid out according to the payout table. Losing bets are collected by the dealer.

European vs American Roulette

There are two main versions of roulette with different rules and odds:

European Roulette
  • Numbers: 0-36 (37 pockets)
  • House Edge: 2.7%
  • En Prison: Available on even-money bets
  • Better for players
American Roulette
  • Numbers: 0, 00, 1-36 (38 pockets)
  • House Edge: 5.26%
  • En Prison: Not available
  • Worse for players
Tip: Always choose European roulette when possible, as it offers better odds for players.

Strategy Tips for Beginners

While roulette is primarily a game of chance, these tips can help improve your experience:

Do's
  • Start with outside bets (lower risk)
  • Set a budget and stick to it
  • Learn the rules before playing
  • Choose European roulette when possible
  • Practice in DEMO mode first
Don'ts
  • Chase losses with bigger bets
  • Bet more than you can afford
  • Expect to win consistently
  • Ignore betting limits
  • Play when emotional or tired

Practice Makes Perfect

Before applying any betting strategies, practice the basic rules in our DEMO mode:

Quick Reference

2.7%

European House Edge

5.26%

American House Edge

37
European Numbers
38
American Numbers
Most Popular Bets
  • Red/Black - 1:1 payout
  • Even/Odd - 1:1 payout
  • 1-18/19-36 - 1:1 payout
  • Dozen Bets - 2:1 payout
Ready to Play?

Practice the rules in DEMO mode before playing for real!

Start DEMO Mode