Roulette: The Complete Guide
Roulette is the iconic casino game of chance, famous for its spinning wheel, variety of bet types, and suspenseful gameplay. Whether you play in a classic casino or online, this guide covers everything: rules, bets, odds, strategies, variants, and tips for playing online and live dealer roulette.
Best Online Roulette Casinos
Choose a casino with a great variety of roulette games, live dealer roulette tables, and a trusted reputation for payouts.
Roulette Rules
Roulette is played on a wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball. Players bet on where the ball will land after the wheel is spun. The main objective: predict the correct number, color, or group of numbers.
- The wheel features numbers 1-36 and either one (European/French) or two (American) zero pockets.
- Players place chips on the table layout to make their bets (before the dealer spins the wheel).
- When betting closes, the dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball.
- The winning number is where the ball lands. All bets are settled accordingly.
Fun Fact: 'Roulette' means 'little wheel' in French.
Types of Roulette Bets
Roulette offers a wide range of betting options. These are divided into inside bets (on specific numbers or small groups) and outside bets (covering larger groups or characteristics).
Inside Bets
- Straight Up: Bet on a single number.
- Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers.
- Street: Bet on a row of three numbers.
- Corner: Bet on a block of four numbers.
- Line: Bet on two adjoining rows (six numbers).
Outside Bets
- Red or Black: Bet on the color.
- Odd or Even: Bet on the number's parity.
- Low or High: 1-18 or 19-36.
- Dozens: 1-12, 13-24, 25-36.
- Columns: One of three vertical columns.
Roulette Odds & Payouts
Here's a quick reference for the most common roulette bets, their payout ratios, and the house edge for European and American wheels:
| Bet Type | Payout | European House Edge | American House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up (1 number) | 35:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Street (3 numbers) | 11:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Corner (4 numbers) | 8:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Line (6 numbers) | 5:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Column/Dozen | 2:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High | 1:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
Tip: European and French roulette with a single zero have better odds for players than American roulette (double zero).
Popular Roulette Variants
- European Roulette: Single zero, 37 pockets, lower house edge (2.7%).
- French Roulette: Single zero, same as European but features 'La Partage'/'En Prison' rules that further reduce the house edge on even-money bets.
- American Roulette: Double zero, 38 pockets, higher house edge (5.26%).
- Mini Roulette: Smaller wheel, fewer numbers, but higher house edge.
- Multi-Wheel Roulette: Bet on several wheels at once (online only).
- Lightning Roulette: Online/live game with random multipliers for huge wins.
Read more about different roulette games on our Roulette Game Variants page.
Roulette Strategies & Tips
- Martingale System: Double your bet after every loss on even-money bets. Risky - you need a large bankroll and there are table limits.
- Fibonacci, Labouchère, D'Alembert: Other progressive systems, but none can overcome the house edge.
- Bet Selection: Outside bets (red/black, odd/even) offer more frequent wins but lower payouts. Inside bets are riskier but pay more.
- En Prison/La Partage: Look for French/European tables with these rules, as they improve your odds on even-money bets.
- Set a Budget: Roulette is a game of chance - play for fun and avoid chasing losses.
- No System Beats the Wheel: Every spin is random. There's no 'hot' or 'due' number!
How to Play Roulette Online
- Pick a reputable online casino (see our recommendations above).
- Create your account and deposit funds.
- Choose a roulette game (European, French, American, Lightning, etc.).
- Place your chips and spin the virtual wheel. Many sites offer demo/free-play.
Most online roulette uses certified RNG software to guarantee fair, random results. Live dealer roulette streams from a real wheel in a studio - see below!
Live Dealer Roulette
Live roulette brings the authentic feel of a land-based casino to your screen. Watch a real dealer and ball, interact with chat, and enjoy special variants like Lightning or Double Ball Roulette.
- Streamed in HD from casino studios
- Bet and chat in real time
- Play European, French, American, Lightning, and more
- Available 24/7 at top online casinos
Roulette FAQs
Outside bets (red/black, odd/even, low/high) have the best odds of winning, but pay 1:1. Inside bets pay more, but are less likely to hit.
Licensed casinos (online and offline) use fair wheels or certified RNGs. Stick to reputable sites for fair play.
American has a double zero (00), which increases the house edge. European has only one zero.
Yes! Most casinos offer demo versions of roulette so you can practice.
No. All roulette systems are fun to try, but none can overcome the house edge in the long run.
Read about the invention, development and modernization of roulette on our History Of Roulette page.
Want more tips or have questions about roulette? Contact Casino Beacon here!
Responsible Gambling: Always play within your limits and for fun.
Ready to play roulette for real money?
Discover roulette strategies, best payout casinos, and bankroll tips at our Real Money Roulette Guide.