Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to learn. You place bets on where a small ball will land on a spinning wheel with numbered slots. The dealer spins the wheel, drops the ball, and you win if the ball lands on a number or color you bet on.
To play roulette, you pick a number, group of numbers, or color on the betting table, place your chips on that spot, and wait for the dealer to spin the wheel and drop the ball. If the ball lands on your choice, you win based on the type of bet you made. Different bets pay different amounts depending on how likely they are to win.
Learning the basic rules and betting options takes just a few minutes. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to play your first game, from understanding the wheel and table layout to placing different types of bets with confidence.
Roulette Basics
Roulette uses a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a table where you place bets on where a small ball will land. The game has different wheel types and simple rules that make it easy to start playing.
Understanding the Roulette Table Layout
The roulette table has two main betting areas where you place your chips. The inside betting area shows numbers 1-36 arranged in three columns of 12 numbers each, plus 0 (and 00 on American tables). The outside betting area surrounds the numbers and offers group bets.
Inside bets let you bet on specific numbers or small groups. You can place chips directly on a single number, between two numbers, at the corner of four numbers, or across a row of three numbers.
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers. These include red or black, odd or even, high (19-36) or low (1-18), dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36), and columns. The table clearly marks each betting option with its name and corresponding payout ratio.
Types of Roulette Wheels
Three main wheel types exist in casinos. Each version changes your odds of winning.
American roulette has 38 pockets with numbers 1-36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00). The extra pocket increases the house edge to 5.26%.
European roulette has 37 pockets with numbers 1-36 and a single zero. The house edge drops to 2.70% because of the missing double zero pocket.
French roulette uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European roulette but includes special rules. The “La Partage” rule returns half your even-money bet if the ball lands on zero. The “En Prison” rule lets you keep your bet for another spin when zero hits.
Basic Rules of Roulette
You start by exchanging your money for special roulette chips at the table. Each player gets a different color to avoid confusion. Place your chips on any bet you want before the dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball.
The dealer announces “no more bets” once the ball starts to slow down. You cannot add or change bets after this call. The ball eventually lands in a numbered pocket, and the dealer marks the winning number on the table.
The dealer collects all losing bets first, then pays winners based on their bet type. Winning bets on a single number pay 35 to 1, while even-money bets like red or black pay 1 to 1. You can leave your winning chips on the table for the next spin or cash them out.
How to Play Roulette Step-by-Step
Playing roulette involves placing chips on different betting areas before the dealer spins the wheel. Each bet type carries specific payout rates and winning chances based on how many numbers you cover.
Placing Inside and Outside Bets
Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the main betting grid. You can place a straight-up bet on a single number for the highest payout, or a split bet on two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line between them. A street bet covers three numbers in a horizontal row, while a corner bet covers four numbers where their corners meet.
Outside bets sit on the outer edges of the betting layout and cover larger groups. These include red or black, odd or even, and high (19-36) or low (1-18) bets. You can also bet on dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) or columns that cover 12 numbers vertically on the layout.
Outside bets win more often but pay less. Inside bets win less frequently but offer bigger payouts.
Payouts and Odds Explained
Different bets pay different amounts based on how many numbers they cover. Here’s what you can expect to win:
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 |
| Red/Black | 18 | 1:1 |
| Odd/Even | 18 | 1:1 |
| Dozen/Column | 12 | 2:1 |
Your actual odds of winning are slightly worse than the payouts suggest because of the green zero (and double zero on American wheels). This creates the house edge that gives the casino its advantage.
Using Strategies to Play
The Martingale system involves doubling your bet after each loss on even-money bets like red or black. When you win, you recover all previous losses plus one unit of profit. This requires a large bankroll and hits table limits quickly.
The D’Alembert strategy takes a gentler approach by increasing your bet by one unit after losses and decreasing by one unit after wins. It’s less risky than Martingale but still doesn’t change the house edge.
Flat betting means wagering the same amount on each spin. This approach extends your playing time and avoids the risks of progressive systems. Many experienced players prefer this method because it’s simple and keeps your bankroll more stable.
No strategy can overcome the house edge, but they help you manage your money and set clear limits for your session.