How to Play Roulette: Rules, Bets, Odds & Payouts Explained
The fundamentals of the popular casino game Roulette are largely the same whether you’re playing live or online. Here we bring you a simple guide on how to play roulette, along with links to the best sites to play online roulette and get online roulette bonuses. If you’re looking for tips on the best way to play roulette, then make sure you check out our guide to Roulette Strategy.
In this article, we’ll cover….
If you’re completely new to Roulette, you might want to take a few minutes to consider some of the important things that it’s worth getting an understanding of first, such as the Roulette Table, the Roulette Wheel, and the different types of Roulette Bets, all of which are explained on this page, but otherwise let’s jump straight in with the Basic Rules and Actions of playing Roulette.
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How to Play Roulette
The Basic Rules and Actions of Roulette
Playing Roulette really couldn’t be simpler.
- The first step is to place your bets. You can place your chips on the numbers or color of your choice. There are several different types of bets you can make in roulette. The most straightforward bet is a straight-up bet, where you bet on a single number. You can also bet on a group of numbers, like the first 12, second 12, or third 12. You can also bet on odd or even numbers or red or black.
- Secondly, the dealer the dealer will spin the wheel and drop the ball. The ball will eventually land on one of the numbered slots on the wheel. If the ball lands on a number or color that you bet on, you win.
- Finally, once the ball has landed, the dealer will announce the winning number and pay out any winnings! If you lose, the dealer will collect your chips.
It's important to note that each table will have minimum and maximum bets. Be sure to check the table limits before placing your bets.
How to Play Online Roulette
Playing Roulette online is pretty much the same as playing in a live casino.
Again, the first thing you need to do is to decide on your bet size. Once you know how much you want to bet, place your Chips on the table to indicate what bet you would like to make.
When you are ready, simply press the Spin button. This will release the ball on to the table.The spinning wheel will gradually come to a standstill, and the ball lands on one of the numbers.
If you have made a winning bet, then you’ll receive a payout.
After this, play moves on to the next spin of the wheel.
Roulette Table
The roulette table consists of a large circular wheel, a ball, and a felt betting layout.
The wheel is the centerpiece of the table, and it is where the ball is spun. The wheel is divided into numbered slots, ranging from 0 to 36. The slots are alternately colored in red and black, except for the 0, which is typically green.
The felt betting layout is where players place their bets. The layout is divided into numbered sections that correspond to the numbers on the wheel. Players can place their chips on a single number, a group of numbers, or a combination of numbers. That layout of the table can be divided into two sections – the Inside and the Outside.
The Inside has 36 numbered squares, which are either red or black, while the Outside covers categories of numbers, such as Red or Black and Odd or Even.
Playing Outside Bets such as Red or Black is a good place for Beginners to start, as you have more of the table covered. They give a higher chance of winning than Inside bets, but at the same time they offer a lower payout.
It's important to note that different variations of roulette may have slightly different table layouts and rules, but the basic components and functions of the roulette table remain the same.
Find out more about Roulette Bet Types and Roulette Betting Strategy.
Roulette Wheel
The Roulette wheel is the centerpiece of the roulette table, and it's where the game gets its name. The wheel is a circular device with numbered pockets, where a small ball is spun around before eventually coming to rest in one of the pockets. The number on the pocket where the ball lands determines the winning outcome of the spin.
On a European wheel, there are 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, alternately colored, and a single green 0. American roulette wheels are the same, but with an additional green 00 pocket.
The numbers on the wheel are arranged in a specific sequence, although the exact sequence may vary slightly depending on the version of roulette being played. The pocket numbers on the wheel are not arranged in numerical order, but rather in a way that is designed to provide a random and balanced distribution of numbers.
Different Roulette Variants
There are several different variants of roulette, each of which has its own unique rules, betting options, and house edge. These are some of the most popular variations:
- European Roulette: This is the most common version of roulette, featuring a wheel with 37 numbered pockets (0 to 36).
- American Roulette: This version of roulette is similar to European roulette, but it features an additional pocket with a double zero (00).
- French Roulette: French roulette is similar to European roulette, but it includes additional betting options and a special rule called "La Partage," which returns half of the player's even-money bet if the ball lands on 0.
- Live Dealer Roulette:This version of roulette is played with a real dealer, who spins the wheel and drops the ball in real-time via live video streaming. It's similar to playing at a land-based casino but from the comfort of your own home.
The type of Roulette Games offered online will vary with each Casino, and each offers its own unique features and betting options. Which variant of Roulette is best for you will depend on your experience level, your playing preferences and what you hope to get out of playing.
European vs. American Roulette Wheel Comparison
This might sound obvious to the most experienced players but, in case you don't know it yet:
You should never play American roulette games. Always choose the European variant.
The reason why you should only play the European roulette games is in the roulette wheel: the main difference between the European and the American roulette is the order of the numbers on the roulette wheel.
The American roulette has one additional pocket as the American roulette wheel features a second green slot with a double zero, '00'. Oddly enough, the two variants of the game feature the same payouts, meaning you will get paid 35-to-1 every time you nail the single right number. On the American roulette wheel as much as on the European roulette wheel.
What differs, however, are your chances to win at the game. The fact the European roulette wheel features 37 slots means you have one chance in 37 to win every time you place a bet on a single number.
The odds get considerably worse when you decide to play on an American roulette wheel. The second green slot brings them to one in 38 on each single number bet.
Given that both roulette variants offer the same payout (35:1), your choice is pretty obvious. You should only play European roulette games, as outlined in the table below:
| Feature | American Roulette | European Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 38 | 37 |
| Zeros | Single zero, double zero | Single zero |
| House edge | 5.26% | 2.7% |
How to win at Roulette every time? You can't!
Important notice: Roulette is a gambling game and, as such, it depends on luck. The house advantage varies depending on the roulette variant you play but never equals zero.
You can base your game on many different roulette strategies, but you can't win at roulette every time you play.
What you can do is to increases your winning chances, avoiding all the wrong bets and focusing only on those that offer you the best odds to win.
Also, if at any time you feel things get a little out of control, take this quick test. A little help goes a long way — trust me.
Roulette Bets, Odds & Payouts
We’ve already covered that there are two different types of bet in Roulette, Inside and Outside. Here we go into more detail about each of the Bet Types, the Odds and the Payouts.
Roulette Bets Explained
All roulette bets fall into two categories: Outside Bets and Inside Bets.
What is an Outside Bet?
Outside bets are a type of bet in roulette that are placed on the outside section of the roulette table. These bets have a higher probability of winning than inside bets as they cover more of the table, but they offer lower payouts.
Here are the different types of outside bets in roulette:
- Red or Black Bet: This is a bet on the color of the number that the ball will land on. Bet Payout = 1:1.
- Odd or Even Bet: This is a bet on whether the number that the ball will land on is odd or even. Bet Payout = 1:1.
- Low or High Bet: This is a bet on whether the number that the ball will land on is in the lower half (1-18) or the higher half (19-36) of the numbered spaces. Bet Payout = 1:1.
- Dozen Bet: This is a bet on whether the number that the ball will land on is in the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24), or third dozen (25-36) of the numbered spaces. Bet Payout = 2:1.
- Column Bet: This is a bet on whether the number that the ball will land on is in one of the three columns on the betting layout. Bet Payout = 2:1.
Outside bets are less risky than inside bets, but they also offer lower payouts.
What is an Inside Bet?
Inside bets are a type of bet in roulette that are placed on the numbered spaces on the inside section of the roulette table layout. These bets offer higher payouts than outside bets, but they also have a lower probability of winning.
Here are the different types of inside bets in roulette:
- Straight Up Bet: This is a bet on a single number. Bet Payout = 35:1.
- Split Bet: This is a bet on two adjacent numbers. Bet Payout = 17:1.
- Street Bet: This is a bet on three numbers in a row. Bet Payout = 11:1.
- Corner Bet: This is a bet on four numbers that form a square on the betting layout. Bet Payout = 8:1.
- Five-Number Bet: This bet is only available in American roulette and is placed on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Bet Payout = 6:1.
- Six-Line Bet: This is a bet on six numbers that form two rows on the betting layout. Bet Payout = 5:1.
Inside bets are riskier than outside bets, but they also offer higher payouts.
Roulette Odds & Payouts Explained
What are Roulette Bet Odds?
In roulette, odds refer to the probability of a particular bet winning on any given spin of the roulette wheel. Each type of bet in roulette has its own set of odds, which are determined by the number of possible outcomes and the probability of those outcomes occurring.
For example, a straight-up bet on a single number in American roulette has odds of 1 in 38, as there are 38 possible outcomes on the wheel (numbers 1-36, plus 0 and 00), and only one of those outcomes will result in a win for the player.
Similarly, an even-money bet on red or black in both American and European roulette has odds of approximately 47.37%, as there are 18 red and 18 black numbers on the wheel, plus one or two green numbers (0 and 00 in American roulette, and only 0 in European roulette).
The odds are not exactly 50%, however, because the presence of the green numbers gives the casino a slight edge over the player.
Understanding the odds in roulette is important for players who want to make informed betting decisions and manage their bankroll effectively. It's also important to remember that while certain bets may have better odds than others, there is always an element of chance involved in the game of roulette, and no outcome can be predicted with complete accuracy.
Roulette Odds & Payout Chart
Check out the roulette payout chart below to see potential payouts and the odds of winning for each type of roulette bet (we've split these into European and American roulette, as they offer different odds):
| Bet name | Winning spaces | Payout | European Roulette Odds | American Roulette Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | Any single number including 0 | 35 to 1 | 2.7% | 2.60% |
| Split | Any two adjoining numbers vertically or horizontally | 17 to 1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Street | Any three numbers horizontally (1,2, 3 or 4, 5, 6 etc) | 11 to 1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Corner | Any three adjoining numbers in a block (e.g. 17, 18, 20, 21) | 8 to 1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Basket* | 0, 1, 2 or 0, 2, 3 | 6 to 1 | N/A | 13.2% |
| Six Line | Any six numbers from two rows (e.g. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33) | 5 to 1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| 1st Column | 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| 2nd Column | 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| 3rd Column | 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| 1st Dozen | 1 through 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| 2nd Dozen | 13 through 24 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| 3rd Dozen | 25 through 36 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Odd | 1, 3, 5,..., 35 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% | 47.37% |
| Even | 2, 4, 6,...,36 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Red | Red numbers | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Black | Black numbers | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| 1 to 18 | 1, 2, 3,..., 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| 19 to 36 | 19, 20, 21,..., 36 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
*The Basket Bet only relates to American Roulette, as it covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. The double zero doesn't exist in European Roulette.
How to Calculate Roulette Odds & Payouts
Calculating the odds in roulette is a straightforward process that involves dividing the number of possible outcomes for a particular bet by the total number of possible outcomes on the wheel. Here's a breakdown of how to calculate the odds for three of the most common types of bets in roulette:
- Straight-up bet: This is a bet on a single number. The odds of winning are 1 in 37 for European roulette and 1 in 38 for American roulette. To calculate the odds, divide 1 by the total number of possible outcomes (37 or 38).
- Split bet: This is a bet on two adjacent numbers on the table layout. The odds of winning are 1 in 18 for European roulette and 1 in 19 for American roulette. To calculate the odds, divide 2 by the total number of possible outcomes (37 or 38), and then multiply by 100 to get a percentage.
- Red or black bet: This is a bet on the ball landing on a red or black pocket. The odds of winning are approximately 47.37% for both European and American roulette. To calculate the odds, divide the number of red or black pockets by the total number of possible outcomes (37 or 38), and then multiply by 100 to get a percentage.
The odds in roulette are fixed and do not change from spin to spin. Importantly, this means that the odds of winning or losing on any given spin are the same, regardless of previous outcomes.
Best Sites to Play Online Roulette for Real Money
As you have been reading this guide to find out what is the best bet in online roulette, you will have seen a number of links going out to online casino sites. All of them offer real money roulette games, and, most importantly, they have all been vetted by the PokerNews editorial team. You won't find better sites to play roulette games online than those ones.
Remember: play only for the fun of it. Roulette is one of the most exciting casino games out there — and that should be enough for you. When you go online with the aim of winning money on roulette every time you play, you make a mistake. Because gambling should not be about winning money.
In the US, online Roulette for real money is available to play only in regulated States such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia. If you're looking to start playing online Roulette right now, then we recommend FanDuel Casino, PokerStars Casino, BetMGM Casino or Caesars Casino.
For players based outside of the US, there are many online casino options for Roulette, such as 888casino, bet365 Casino, PartyCasino, and PokerStars Casino.
How to Find a Legit Casino
It's easier when you play online. Always choose online casino sites licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). If you're in the United States, regulation is provided by a specific states gaming commission or control board.
A license issued by these authorities certifies the fairness of the real money roulette games, the casino software, and the companies that run the businesses and handle your money.
Best Sites to Practice Online Roulette For Free
We always recommend practicing for free before you consider playing for real money. Here you can find the best sites to practice online roulette for free.
You can focus on playing for fun by looking at our Free Online Games section to see where you can play Roulette for free.
Read our other Roulette Guides for more tips!
- Find the Best Roulette Strategy for your game.
- Know the difference between American & European Roulette? Find out here.
- We've gathered the best casinos to play Real Money Roulette into one article for you.
- Practice Online Roulette for Free
How to Play Roulette FAQS
How many numbers are there in Roulette?
On a European wheel, there are 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, alternately colored, and a single green 0. American roulette wheels are the same, but with an additional green 00 pocket.
What is the best bet in Roulette?
There is no single ‘best bet’ in Roulette, but there are ways to improve your chances of winning, all of which are covered in our Roulette Strategy article.
How do the Odds work in Roulette?
The payout in Roulette depends on what type of bet you place. A full guide to the payout odds can be found above.
What does a number on Roulette pay?
A bet on a single number pays 35 to 1, including the 0 and 00. A full guide to the payout odds can be found above.
How much do you win on green in Roulette?
Betting on green pays out 35 to 1. But remember there are two green pockets on an American Roulette wheel.
Can you bet on black and red at the same time in Roulette?
Whether you can bet on black and red at the same time depends on the rules of the casino or online operator. Some will allow it, some will not.
How can I increase my chances of winning at Roulette?
You can increase your chances of winning at Roulette by reading our Roulette Strategy guide.
How do you place a Roulette bet?
Placing a roulette bet is as simple as deciding what bet you want to make and placing your chips on the table. Get a full list of the different types of Roulette Bets in the article above.