Roulette is a casino game where a dealer spins a wheel with numbered pockets and drops a small ball onto it. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land, choosing from individual numbers, groups of numbers, or characteristics like red or black colors. The wheel spins in one direction while the ball travels in the opposite direction until it loses momentum and settles into one of the pockets.
The game gets its name from the French word for “little wheel.” You play against the house, which means the casino acts as the bank for all bets. When the ball lands in a pocket, the dealer pays out winning bets based on fixed odds and collects losing bets.
Understanding how roulette works starts with knowing the wheel, the betting table, and how each round plays out. Once you learn the basic flow of the game, you can make informed choices about where to place your bets and what to expect when the wheel stops spinning.
Understanding the Basics of Roulette
Roulette uses a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a betting table where you place chips on various number combinations. Your goal is to predict where the ball will land after the dealer spins the wheel, with different bet types offering different payouts based on their probability of winning.
Roulette Wheel and Table Layout
The roulette wheel contains 37 or 38 numbered pockets depending on the version you play. European and French roulette wheels have numbers 1-36 plus a single zero (0), totaling 37 pockets. American roulette adds a double zero (00), bringing the total to 38 pockets.
The numbers alternate between red and black colors, while the zero pockets are green. On the wheel, the numbers are arranged in a specific non-sequential order to ensure randomness.
The betting table mirrors the wheel’s numbers but displays them in a grid layout. You’ll see numbers 1-36 arranged in three columns of twelve numbers each. The zero (and double zero in American roulette) sits at the top of this grid.
Around the main number grid, you’ll find sections for outside bets. These include areas for red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, and columns.
Types of Roulette Bets
Roulette offers two main bet categories: inside bets and outside bets.
Inside bets are placed directly on numbers or small groups of numbers in the main grid:
- Straight up: One single number
- Split: Two adjacent numbers
- Street: Three numbers in a horizontal row
- Corner: Four numbers that meet at one corner
- Line: Six numbers across two adjacent rows
Outside bets are placed in the special betting areas around the number grid:
- Red/Black: All red or all black numbers
- Odd/Even: All odd or all even numbers
- High/Low: Numbers 1-18 or 19-36
- Dozens: Numbers 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36
- Columns: One of the three vertical columns
Outside bets are easier for beginners because they cover more numbers and win more often. Inside bets are riskier but pay more when you win.
Roulette Game Rules
Each round begins when the dealer opens betting and invites you to place your chips. You can place multiple bets on different positions during this time. The dealer then spins the wheel in one direction and rolls the ball in the opposite direction.
After a few seconds, the dealer announces “no more bets” and closes the betting period. You cannot place or change bets after this call. The ball eventually loses momentum and falls into one of the numbered pockets.
The dealer marks the winning number with a marker and clears all losing bets from the table first. Winners receive their payouts based on the type of bet they placed. Once all payouts are complete, the marker is removed and a new round begins.
Payouts and Odds
Your payout depends on how many numbers your bet covers. Bets covering fewer numbers pay more because they’re harder to win.
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35:1 | Betting on number 7 |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | Betting on 5 and 6 |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | Betting on 1, 2, 3 |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | Betting on 1, 2, 4, 5 |
| Line | 6 | 5:1 | Betting on 1-6 |
| Dozens/Columns | 12 | 2:1 | Betting on 1-12 |
| Red/Black | 18 | 1:1 | Betting on red |
| Odd/Even | 18 | 1:1 | Betting on odd |
| High/Low | 18 | 1:1 | Betting on 1-18 |
The house edge varies by roulette version. European roulette has a 2.7% house edge due to the single zero. American roulette has a 5.26% house edge because of the extra double zero pocket. This means European roulette gives you better odds of keeping your money over time.
How a Roulette Spin Works
A roulette spin follows a specific sequence from placing bets to revealing the winning number. The dealer controls the timing and execution of each spin while the wheel’s design ensures random outcomes.
The Spinning Process
The spinning process starts when the dealer announces that betting is open. You place your chips on the betting layout during this time. The numbers on the layout match the pockets on the wheel.
Once most bets are placed, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction. Then the dealer launches a small ball in the opposite direction along the wheel’s outer rim. This creates the spinning motion that makes roulette recognizable.
The ball travels around the rim several times before gravity pulls it down. It bounces between different pockets before settling into one. The dealer calls out the winning number and color once the ball stops moving.
The wheel keeps spinning during this entire process. You can often place bets even after the ball is released until the dealer calls “no more bets.”
Role of the Dealer
The dealer manages every part of the game. They control when betting opens and closes for each round. They also make sure the wheel spins properly and the ball launches correctly.
After each spin ends, the dealer marks the winning number with a special marker. They collect all losing bets from the table first. Then they pay out winners based on the type of bet and payout rates.
The dealer maintains the game’s pace and watches for any issues. They verify that bets are placed correctly and handle any questions you might have. In online roulette, software performs these tasks automatically.
Randomness and House Edge
Each spin is independent and random. The ball has an equal chance of landing in any pocket. Past results do not affect future spins.
The house edge comes from the zero pockets on the wheel. European roulette has one zero, giving the house a 2.7% edge. American roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), which increases the house edge to 5.26%.
This edge means the casino pays slightly less than true odds on winning bets. The zero pockets create outcomes where all standard bets lose, securing the casino’s advantage over time.