How To Play Roulette Guide | Basic Rules & Strategies

Are you interested in learning how to play roulette? It's understandable if a mere glance at a roulette wheel or table is enough for you to feel more than a little intimidated. However, the basics are quite simple to learn and understand with some practice. Let us show you how! We've also got a great list of some of the best roulette casinos online.

First, did you know  'roulette' comes from the French word for 'small wheel' but is sometimes called 'The Devil's Game?' Although the nickname sounds sinister, the explanation is simply that all the numbers on the wheel add up to 666.

Roulette is a house-banked game played against the house rather than against other players. The online version is a solitary game enjoyed against the computer. However, land-based casino roulette, live dealer and auto roulette are enjoyed alongside other gamblers.

Best online Roulette casinos in 2024

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Getting Started: Main types of casino Roulette games

As with other classic table games like baccarat and blackjack, this wheel game is available in different types. The most common of these are French, European, and American roulette. Differences between these wheel types may seem minor and insignificant to novices. However, the truth is that they do impact the gameplay.

European Roulette

European roulette is often the most common type found at online roulette casinos - at least outside of the United States. A European wheel consists of 37 individually numbered and coloured pockets, including 18 red, 18 black and a single green (0) pocket.

French Roulette

Because French and European roulette wheels have 37 pockets, they are often mistaken for one another. Although with a slightly different layout, French and European roulette tables are similar (often with the same betting options).

The most significant difference between French Roulette and its French and American counterparts is two rules affecting even money bets. Even money bets, including red or black, odd or uneven, and high or low, have a 1:1 payout.

La Partage is French for 'The Divide.' When the ball falls into the green zero pocket, a bettor receives half their stake back.

En Prison is French for 'In Prison.' In this rule, a ball landing in the green zero pocket does not result in an automatic loss. Instead, a player's stake remains on the table (locked up) for another spin and is returned if they win.

Both rules favour the player and lower the house edge to just 1.35%, explaining why the French version may be less common at land-based and mobile online casinos.

American Roulette

The difference between an American and a European roulette wheel is the addition of a (00) green pocket for 38 total pockets in the latter. This extra pocket reduces the game RTP and increases the house edge.

In fact, at the start of the 19th century, land-based casinos in the United States were reluctant to add the European versions as they considered the house edge too low. The solution was to create an American wheel with an extra pocket, effectively lowering the theoretical percentage payout (RTP). Even today, American wheels remain the most widespread of all the wheel types in the United States.

European and American roulette cloth table layouts are usually identical, except for the addition of the 00 position in the latter.

Roulette odds and payouts

Payouts in this wheel game depend on the probability of winning. Probability is a mathematical determination of the likelihood of an event occurring. Examples of events include landing on a specific number or colour.

Using a basic example, a coin toss has a 0.50 (50%) probability of producing heads and 0.50 (50%) tails. The probability of producing two identical results is 0.25 (25%) [0.5x0.5*100] and so on.

On an American roulette wheel with 38 pockets, the probability of any number appearing is 1/38 or 0.026316 (2.6316%). On a European roulette table with 37 balls, the probability of any one number appearing is slightly higher at 1/37 or 0.027027 (2.7027%).

As you can see in the table above, the probability of winning in American roulette is lower than the European equivalent because of the extra pocket. All things being equal, a player is better off playing European roulette. It has a house edge of 2.7%,  compared to American roulette, which has a house edge of 5.26%.

Bet types

The wheel game's primary objective is to correctly predict where the ball falls by placing your chip wager on the corresponding table position. Most standard tables divide betting options into outside and inside positions. However, French roulette and some European roulette games also accept call bets (also called French bets).

Outside bets

The 12 outside bets are the simplest and provide the best probability of winning but the lowest payouts.

Column Bet (2:1 Payout):

• A wager on a column of 12 numbers: First dozen/Première douzaine - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34; Second dozen/Moyenne douzaine - 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35; Third dozen/Dernière douzaine - 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
• Place the chip on the labelled position marked '2 To 1' corresponding to the desired column.

Dozen Bet (2:1 Payout):
A wager on a group of 12 numbers 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. Place the chip on the '1st 12', 2nd 12' or '3rd 12' labelled position.      

Colour Bet (1:1 Payout):
A wager on a red or black number with the chip placed on the corresponding labelled position.

Even or Odd Bet (1:1 Payout):
A wager on an even or odd number with the chip placed on the corresponding labelled position.

 (High) First Half Bet or (Low) Second Half Bet (1:1 Payout):
A wager on low first-half numbers (1-18) or high second-half numbers (19-36). Place the chip in the corresponding labelled position.

Inside bets

Inside bets are a little more complex and lower the probability of winning but have higher payouts.

Straight Up Bet / Single Bet (35:1 Payout):
A wager on an individual number by placing a chip on the corresponding table position (e.g., 19)

Split Bet (17:1 Payout)
A wager on two vertically or horizontally adjacent numbers on the table (e.g., 13 and 14 or 26 and 29). Place the chip on the line between the two numbers.

Three Line Bet / Street Bet (11:1 Payout)
A wager on a row of three adjacent numbers (called a street) on the table (e.g., 22, 23, 24). Place the chip on the outside line corresponding to the street.

Trio Bet (11:1 Payout)
A wager on three adjacent numbers which includes a zero: 0, 1, 2 (Single or Double Zero layout); 0, 2, 3 (single-zero only); 00, 2, 3 (double-zero layout).

Corner Bet / Square Bet (8:1 Payout)
A wager on four numbers that meet at one corner (e.g., 8, 9, 11, 12).

Top Line Bet (8:1 (0 layout) Payout / 6:1 (00 layout) Payout)
A five-number wager (Basket Bet) on 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 is available on layouts with a 00 only. A four-number wager on 0, 1, 2, 3 on 0 only layouts. Place the chip on the outside line and line splitting 0 and 1.

Six Line Bet / Double Street Bet (5:1 Payout)
A wager on six numbers forming two adjacent rows of three numbers (i.e., double street) (e.g., 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36). The chip is placed on the point intersecting the outside line and line dividing the streets.

Call bets / French bets

Call (French) bets are one or more combined inside bets on a number series. The series is based on numbers as they appear on the wheel rather than the table.

Making a call bet involves placing a chip directly in the appropriate position on the roulette racetrack.

Numbers and Neighbours (35:1 Payout):
A call bet on five numbers. A player chooses a first number followed by two more to the left and right.

Jeu Zero / Zero Game (Split 17:1 Payout /  Straight 35:1 Payout):
A call bet on a series of seven numbers, including 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32 and 15. Place a chip on the racetrack position labelled 'Zero.'

Tiers du Cylindre / Third of the Wheel (17:1 Payout):
A call bet on a series of 12 numbers including 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33. Place a chip on the racetrack position labelled 'Tiers.'

Les Orphelins / The Orphans (Split 17:1 Payout / Straight 35:1 Payout):
A call bet on two series of 4 numbers: 17, 34, 6, 1 and 20, 14, 31, 9.

Les Voisins du Zéro / Neighbours of Zero (Split 17:1 Payout / Three Line Bet (Street) 11:1 Payout / Corner Bet 8:1 Payout:
A call bet on a series of 17 numbers including 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25.

Red and Black Splits (Red Split 17:1 Payout / Black Split 17:1 Payout):
A call bet on all possible red number splits (9/12, 18/21, 16/19, 27/30) or black number splits (8/11, 10/11, 10/13, 17/20, 26/29, 29/28 or 28/31.

Orphelins en Plein (35:1 Payout):
A call bet involving 8 Straight Bets covering 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, 34.

Finale Cheval (17:1 Payout):
A call bet that involves a Split Bet and additional Split Bets ending with those same two numbers. For example, a Finale Cheval Bet on a 0/3 Split Bet would also include Split Bets on 10/13, 20/23, 30/33.

Finale Plein (35:1 Payout):
A call bet on a straight number and all numbers ending with that number. For example, a Finale Plein Bet on 6 would include 16, 26, 36.

Finale Cheval/Plein (Split 17:1 Payout / Straight 35:1 Payout):
A call bet that involves a Split Bet and all straight numbers that end with those same two numbers. Straight Bets are placed on non-adjacent numbers observing the same pattern.

How to make a Roulette bet

Once you've chosen a casino roulette game, you're ready to start. If you are a beginner, we recommend starting by playing roulette for fun. You can get a feel for the game and decide when and if you are ready to play online roulette for real money.

A standard online wheel game displays chips with different values, representing different bet sizes. The range of chip values can substantially differ. It depends on whether you're playing with low table limits or roulette with high table limits.

	Begin by clicking your mouse pointer on a chip value to select it.
	Click on the table position to place a chip corresponding to the inside or outside bet type you wish to make. Making more than one wager is possible, as is changing the wager value by clicking on a different chip.
	Most games have additional functions like an undo button, clear all, and 'repeat' (the last wager). Some of these online table games display hot numbers and cold numbers.
	Press the spin button to start a game round. The wheel spins in one direction and the ball in the opposite direction. Where the ball falls is entirely random, determined by an independently tested and certified random number generator (RNG).

Roulette strategies

Many gamblers have, for centuries, attempted to devise roulette strategies, usually on even money bets (1:1 payout) to beat the house. Betting systems are classified as negative or positive progression.

Negative progression systems:
Negative progression systems are somewhat counterintuitive because they call for players to increase their bets after a loss. The idea is to win back losses quicker, but this is far from guaranteed. Raising a bet after every loss can quickly deplete a bankroll if the streak continues for too long.

Positive progression systems:
Positive progression systems arguably make a little more sense as it calls for players to increase their bet after winning. Thus, the idea is to ride positive momentum with larger wins than losses. This assumption is risky as you may be putting all your winnings at risk depending on the strategy.

Due to the random nature of this game and the house edge, no roulette strategy can consistently beat the house. However, some roulette gamblers believe a strategy can deliver long-term success.

Martingale Roulette system

The Martingale system is one of the most widely used strategies applied on (1:1) even money bets. As a negative progression system, it calls for a player to double the next stake after a loss while returning to the original stake after a win. We recommend beginning with a low starting bet amount.

See our Martingale strategy example here:

Advantages of a Roulette Martingale System

• An easy system to learn and execute for beginners
• This system can recover losses quicker

Disadvantages of a Roulette Martingale System

• A prolonged losing streak accelerates losses
• No effect on the house edge

D'Alembert Roulette system

D'Alembert system is a negative progression system like the Martingale but less risky since a player isn't doubling up on a loss. Instead, the system uses a number series to determine the bet amount after winning or losing.

On a base bet of one unit, you would increase your next bet by one unit on a loss or decrease it by one unit on a win.

See our D'Alembert system example here:

Advantages of a Roulette D'Alembert System

• An easy system to learn and execute
• Less aggressive system than the Martingale
• Can recover losses faster

Disadvantages of a Roulette D'Alembert System

• No effect on the house edge
• Vulnerable to prolonged losing streaks
• It does not recover losses as quickly as the Martingale

Reverse Martingale (Paroli) Roulette system

As the name suggests, the Reverse Martingale system works opposite a Martingale system. It calls for a player to double the next bet after a win and return to the original bet after a loss.

See our Reverse Martingale strategy example using a starting $1 bet.

Advantages of a Roulette Reverse Martingale System

• An easy system to learn and execute
• This system can ride a positive win streak with accelerating profit

Disadvantages of a Roulette Reverse Martingale System

• No effect on the house edge

Labouchère Roulette System

The Labouchère system is an even money strategy that needs a little more work because it involves a series of numbers. Unless you have a great memory and can do math quickly in your head, you'll need to write them down.

A player should carefully choose the starting series. For example, let's begin with the number series 1-2-3-4 and a bet value of $1. The max profit is the sum of the series x bet value: $10. Each bet is equal to the sum of the first and last numbers multiplied by the bet value, which in this case is $1x(1+4)=$5.

On a win, cross off the first and last numbers from the series and add the first and last numbers from the remaining series: 2+3. Then multiply the sum by your bet value (5x$1) to arrive at the following bet amount. However, on a loss, include 5 (1+4 from the previous bet) in the number series: 1-2-3-4-5. You then calculate your following bet amount like above (i.e., the sum of the first and last number).

If you're down to one number in the series, you bet that number x the bet value. If you happen to win on that bet, the sequence begins again. i.e., 1-2-3-4. Note that a sequence does not need to be sequential. Infact it should total the amount of money you want to win. Therefore, you could also start with 1-3-2-1-3.

See our Labouchère Roulette strategy example next with an opening 1-2-3-4 number series and a $1 opening bet.

Advantages of a Roulette Labouchère System

• System considers your profit target
• Easy to understand and apply

Disadvantages of a Roulette Labouchère System

• No effect on the house edge
• A prolonged losing streak can wipe out your bankroll
• Requires you to write down the number sequence

Tier et Tout Roulette System

We first saw the Tier et Tout system introduced in the mid-1800s by Spanish player Thomas Garcia. This interesting strategy showed initial promise in his first two visits to the Homburg Casino by winning hundreds of thousands of Francs. Unfortunately, on his third visit to the casino, he lost all the money he had – and some he borrowed too!

Still, some roulette gamblers today use Tier et Tout to manage their bankroll, although it's not as common as some others. The theory behind the system is straightforward. In practice, some math is involved requiring a pen and paper.

• Begin by deciding your starting amount (ideally divisible by 3).
• Divide the amount into a third and two-thirds.
• Place your first bet of one-third of your amount.
• If you win the first round, add your winnings to the two-thirds bet you didn't use to arrive at your new amount and repeat Step 2. If you lose the first round, bet the remaining two-thirds amount from Step 2 in the second round.
• If you lose twice in a row, you'll need to start over again from Step 1. If you lose the first round but win the second round, start from Step 2 using your winnings as the new amount.
• Round down to the nearest divisible number when the new amount is not divisible by 3. The difference is considered a profit.

See our Tier et Tout strategy example next with a starting amount of $6.

*Rounded down from $8 to $6, divisible by three.
**Difference between amount and rounded the down number of $2 considered Profit.

Advantages of a Roulette Tier et Tout System

• Never wager more than two-thirds of your amount on any round
• Allows you to set profits aside

Disadvantages of a Roulette Tier et Tout System

• No effect on the house edge
• It can be confusing to beginners
• Requires math, a pen and paper to calculate wager sizes

Hollandish Roulette System

The Hollandish system is another example of a negative progression strategy on even money wagers. The Hollandish system stands out because players make three bets at once per round. A win is two or three successful bets per round.

Players must increase their bet by two units after a loss and decrease it to the original bet after winning.

See our Hollandish system example here:

Advantages of a Roulette Hollandish System

• Relatively straightforward
• More conservative than Martingale

Disadvantages of a Roulette Hollandish System

• A long losing streak can wipe out a player's bankroll
• No effect on the house edge

How to win at Roulette

Roulette is a game of chance, so you cannot influence the outcome (i.e., where the ball falls). However, you can improve your chances over the long run by taking specific actions.

First, you can avoid American roulette tables because of the lower odds and higher house edge. Go for the game with the lowest house edge and avoid bonus games that raise the house edge.

While even money bets have the lowest payouts, they also have the highest odds compared to straight bets, which are the polar opposite. Although no roulette betting system can beat the house edge, some players find it helpful as a cash management tool. Remember always to set limits and gamble responsibly.

Roulette FAQ