How to Play Roulette

What Roulette Is

Roulette is a fixed-odds casino game in which a ball lands in one numbered pocket on a spinning wheel. Players place bets on the table layout before each spin. A winning bet is determined by the final pocket where the ball settles.

Roulette Wheel Types

The wheel format affects odds and long-run cost. European roulette uses a single zero (37 pockets: 0–36). American roulette uses a double zero (38 pockets: 0, 00, 1–36). Single-zero tables carry a lower structural disadvantage than double-zero tables.

Step-by-Step: How a Round Works

• 1) Choose your bets: Select chips and place them on the layout to indicate the wager type.
• 2) Betting closes: The dealer announces the close of betting and no more chips can be added.
• 3) The spin: The wheel spins in one direction and the ball spins in the opposite direction.
• 4) Outcome: The ball drops into a pocket and the winning number and colour are confirmed.
• 5) Settlement: Winning bets are paid according to the payout table; losing bets are collected.

Outside Bets

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and have higher hit frequency. They pay lower amounts per win and are commonly used for lower-variance play.

• Red or Black: Bet on the colour of the winning pocket (0 and 00 are neither).
• Odd or Even: Bet on whether the number is odd or even (0 and 00 lose).
• High or Low: 1–18 (low) or 19–36 (high); zeros lose.
• Dozens: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36 (pays 2:1).
• Columns: One of three vertical columns on the layout (pays 2:1).

Inside Bets

Inside bets cover fewer numbers and have lower hit frequency. They pay higher amounts per win and carry a higher variance profile.

• Straight Up: One number (pays 35:1).
• Split: Two adjacent numbers (pays 17:1).
• Street: Three numbers in a row (pays 11:1).
• Corner: Four numbers meeting at a corner (pays 8:1).
• Six Line: Six numbers across two adjacent rows (pays 5:1).

How to Place Chips Correctly

Chip placement indicates the bet. Placing a chip inside a single number box is a straight-up bet. Placing a chip on the line between two numbers is a split. Placing a chip on the outer sections of the layout targets outside bets such as Red/Black or dozens.

Basic Play Guidance

• Select European roulette where available for a lower structural disadvantage.
• Start with outside bets to keep outcomes smoother while learning the layout.
• Use a fixed session budget and a fixed unit size to control spend.
• Avoid treating previous spins as predictive signals; each spin is independent.

Live Roulette Etiquette

• Place bets early to avoid late-chip rejections when betting closes.
• Do not touch chips after the dealer closes betting.
• Ask the dealer to clarify bet placement if uncertain, before the spin.

Responsible Play Note

Roulette is chance-based. Use operator tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, and session reminders to keep activity within pre-defined boundaries.