How to Play Roulette: Basic Rules and Game Types

Roulette is one of the most widely recognised casino games, with a history that originated in Europe and spans more than two centuries. Its defining feature is a spinning wheel with numbered pockets, where a small ball determines the outcome of each round.

Today, roulette is available in both land-based casinos and online platforms, either as a digital game or through a live video stream from a physical roulette table.

Although different variations exist, the basic rules remain largely the same. In this guide, we explain how roulette works, explore the main types of bets and highlight the differences between its most popular versions.

What Is Roulette and How Does It Work?

Roulette is played using a wheel with numbered pockets coloured red, black or green.

At the beginning of each round, players can select one or more bets from the available options on the table.

The dealer then spins the wheel and releases the ball. Once the ball comes to rest in one of the numbered pockets, the outcome of the round is determined.

Payouts depend on the type of bet placed and the rules of the specific roulette variation.

What Are the Main Types of Roulette?

Although the basic concept of the game remains the same, different roulette variations have several important distinctions.

European Roulette

European Roulette features 37 numbered pockets, ranging from 0 to 36.

Numbers 1 to 36 are coloured red or black, while 0 is green.

This version is widely used in land-based casinos, online roulette games and live dealer tables.

American Roulette

American Roulette features 38 pockets, as it includes both 0 and 00.

The additional pocket changes the probabilities compared to the European version.

For example, the house edge on standard bets is approximately 2.70% in European Roulette and 5.26% in American Roulette.

French Roulette

French Roulette also uses a wheel with 37 pockets.

Some versions apply special rules, such as La Partage or En Prison, which affect certain bets when the outcome is 0.

The availability of these rules depends on the specific table.

How Does the Roulette Table Work?

The roulette betting layout displays the wheel's numbers and different areas where bets can be placed.

Betting options are generally divided into two main categories: inside bets and outside bets.

Inside Bets

Inside bets cover individual numbers or small groups of adjacent numbers on the betting layout.

The most common options include:

• Straight Up: A bet on a single number.
• Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers.
• Street: A bet on three numbers in the same horizontal row.
• Corner: A bet on four numbers forming a square.
• Six Line: A bet on six numbers across two adjacent rows.

Each option covers a different number of pockets on the wheel and has a corresponding probability of winning.

Outside Bets

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers.

The most common options include:

• Red / Black: A bet on red or black.
• Odd / Even: A bet on an odd or even number.
• Low / High: A bet on numbers 1–18 or 19–36.
• Dozens: A bet on one of three groups of 12 numbers.
• Columns: A bet on one of the three columns of numbers.

In European Roulette, 0 is not included in red/black, odd/even or low/high bets.

How Are Roulette Probabilities Calculated?

Roulette probabilities depend on the number of pockets covered by each bet and the total number of pockets on the wheel.

For example, in European Roulette, a bet on a single number has a probability of winning of 1 in 37, or approximately 2.70%.

Similarly, a bet on red covers 18 of the 37 pockets, resulting in a probability of approximately 48.65%.

These probabilities are determined by the mathematical structure of the game and are not affected by the outcomes of previous rounds.

What Is Live Roulette?

Live Roulette is an online version of roulette played using a physical wheel and a real dealer.

The game is streamed through live video, while players select their bets using the digital platform.

The basic rules are similar to those of traditional roulette, although some tables may include special features or different presentation formats.

The Live Casino category also includes roulette variations with different betting limits, presentation languages and additional features.

Is There a Strategy That Guarantees Roulette Winnings?

No. Roulette is a game of chance, and no strategy can guarantee winnings.

Systems such as the Martingale involve adjusting bet amounts following specific outcomes. However, they do not change the mathematical probabilities of the game or eliminate the house edge.

Furthermore, each round is independent of previous rounds.

For example, if red appears several times in a row, this does not mean that black is more likely to appear on the next spin.

The belief that previous outcomes influence future probabilities is known as the gambler's fallacy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roulette

How many numbers are there in European Roulette?

European Roulette features 37 pockets, numbered from 0 to 36.

What is the difference between European and American Roulette?

European Roulette has a single zero, while American Roulette includes two zero pockets: 0 and 00. This difference affects the probabilities and the house edge.

What does Straight Up mean in roulette?

A Straight Up bet is a bet placed on a single number.

What happens when the ball lands on 0?

The outcome depends on the type of bet and the table's rules. In standard European Roulette, red/black, odd/even and low/high bets lose when the ball lands on 0, unless a special rule applies.

Can the next roulette number be predicted?

No. Each round is independent, and previous results do not determine which number will appear next.

What is the difference between online roulette and Live Roulette?

In standard digital roulette, outcomes are generated by software, while Live Roulette uses a physical wheel and streams the game through live video.

Conclusion

Roulette is a game with clearly defined basic rules, but it includes different variations and betting options.

European, American and French Roulette share several characteristics while differing in wheel layout and certain rules.

Understanding the probabilities, types of bets and mechanics of each variation provides a clearer picture of how the game works, without changing the random nature of its outcomes.

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