There are 17 main types of bets on the European table and one extra bet in the American variant. To understand how roulette works and to know about roulette rules, odds and payouts, you first need to know how outcomes are decided.
This blog post will guide you through how to play roulette – what you need to know, as well as how does roulette work when it comes to the different variants of the game that include, American and European wheels and French table rules.
When it comes to how to play roulette, the first objective of any serious player is to find a table to bet on that has a low house edge. And then the fun can start. But before playing roulette games, keep reading because we write about:
- bets with bad odds you might want to avoid; and;
- bets that could help keep your bankroll lasting longer.
How does roulette work during a game?
You place bets on a table layout at the start of a new game. This can be before the ball is spun and/or while the ball is spinning—until the dealer calls “no more bets”. After the white ball stops spinning it will land in a numbered pocket.
- Tip: The golden rule about how to play roulette is as follows: Try to bet based on what pocket on the roulette wheel you think the ball will land in.
How does roulette work on a wheel?
The outcome of games occurs randomly when the ball falls into one of the numbered pockets on the rotating wheel. The 36 red and black pockets share an even split of these coloured numbers, high and low numbers and odd and even numbers.
Wheel variants explained
There are 36 numbers, plus one or two green zero pockets depending on the wheel type.
The most common wheel types are as follows:
- The traditional ‘European’ wheel variant contains one green single zero pocket. Total pockets = 37.
- And, the ‘American’ wheel has two green zero pockets—One pocket displays a single zero and the other pocket a double zero. Total pockets = 38.
European wheel vs American wheel layouts
If you compare the European and American wheels, you’ll notice numbers are organised differently. Depending on what wheel you use when betting on a table, you should familiarise yourself with number distributions. This may help you if you use certain kinds of roulette strategies.
What wheel variant offers the best chance of winning?
The casino house edge on the American double zero-wheel variant is higher than a European wheel because it has one extra pocket. This means that the house expects to get a high return on the American game. But it doesn’t necessarily mean players stand a better chance of winning by betting on European wheel tables.
Luck based on bet selection is going to be an important factor. But it should be noted that the more time players spend betting at a table, the higher the likelihood they’ll lose more— especially on a higher house edge game.
What table has the lowest house edge?
French Roulette has a European style layout. It also has just 37 pockets on the wheel. The house edge is the lowest because of the two special rules that players can make use of.
Players bet on a table layout. There are lots of different bet types ranging from single numbers to certain sectors of the wheel. Keep reading to find out about all bet types, roulette rules and odds as well as how the French table rules work.
Roulette rules explained
It’s easy for new players to pick up the rules of the game. Beginners have the same chances of winning as experienced players.
With a solid understanding of the rules, you can have fun trying your luck.
You can have an aggressive wagering roulette strategy if you have a large bankroll and can afford the risk of losing it. On the other hand, taking it easy, betting smaller stakes can remove the pressure to win within a limited number of games.
The purpose of playing the game is to win as much as possible during each session and avoid downswings. There are several bet types to choose from and each of them has a different payout. It should be noted that the highest paying wagers are the most unlikely to generate wins.
How does roulette work in terms of the right time to place bets?
The rule of when is the right time to place bets on the table is as follows:
In a land-based casino you should be able to place bets after losing chips are removed and just before the dealer has paid out winners. But only if the dealer is okay with this and that you do not place bets anywhere near the winning number.
There’s a mutual unspoken understanding between experienced dealers and experienced players about this. If players try to place bets too close to the last winning number before the dealer has finished paying out, those players will be told off and asked to wait.
Before laying your chips on the table, the rule is to wait for the dealer to pay out any winners and remove the dolly marker off of the last winning number.
As the ball is still spinning—with at least three more turns around the ball track—bets can be placed, up until the dealer calls, “no more bets”. Before this, to warn players, the dealer normally says, “finish betting”.
It’s important to know how does roulette work, especially at busy tables. Things can get messy and heated at evenings and on weekends. Some players make late bets even as the ball is falling. This causes dealers to shout at players and even remove their late bets.
If you’re playing online roulette, all this drama is avoided because on the screen:
- you’ll see when you’re able to place bets; and;
- when you must finish betting; and then;
- can’t bet until the next game opens.
- Also, on some non-live games, you can decide when you want the wheel and ball to begin spinning.
Roulette rules: Betting options, Odds and Payouts
After players change money into chips at the cash desk or on a table they’re allowed to bet on any number, group of numbers or betting area.
Betting options
There are two categories of roulette bets, and they are as follows:
- Outside bets
- Inside bets
Outside bets are more likely to produce winning results for players since the chances of winning are almost 50-50. Whereas, while inside bets are riskier, they can trigger bigger payouts.
Roulette odds table
|
Bet |
Payout | European Wheel Win probability | American Wheel Win probability |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Red / Black (18 numbers) |
1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
|
Even / Odd (18 numbers) |
1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
|
Low / High (18 numbers) |
1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
|
Dozen (12 numbers) |
2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
|
Column (12 numbers) |
2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
|
Double Street (6 numbers) |
5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
|
First Five (5 numbers) |
6:1 | Bet type only on American wheel >> | 13.16% |
|
Corner (4 numbers) |
8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
|
Street (3 numbers) |
11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
|
Split (2 numbers) |
17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
|
Straight Up (single number) |
35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
What you should know about Outside Bets
Perhaps the most popular bet of all is the Red or Black wager. The payout on either colour is even-money. If the player wins, they get to keep their initial stake and will receive an amount equal to their stake.
Odd or Even bets have the same payout ratio. High or Low winning bets also payout even-money. The range of low numbers are 1 through to 18 with high numbers starting at 19 through to 36.
Roulette rules and house edge odds
House edges are triggered whether the wheel is a single green zero or double zero wheel. As per the rules, the house is allowed to have an edge over the game. Therefore, the odds of winning favour the house.
American wheel vs European wheel: what is the best?
Players who bet on the American wheel variant, (with its two zero pockets: 0 and 00) will be exposed to a higher house edge of 5.26%. So, it’s best to bet on European wheel tables (with its single zero pocket: 0) and lower house edge of 2.7%.
Is French roulette the best wheel variant?
When it comes to players increasing their chances of losing less on even-money, outside chance bets, then the French Roulette table is the best wheel variant to wager on. Its house edge is just 1.35%.
There are two roulette rules for the French table as follows:
French roulette uses a single zero wheel and betting layout. Firstly, how does the “in prison” rule work?
- If the ball lands on zero, the player doesn’t lose the wager;
- instead, the bet is held to be decided on the next game.
- If the result of the spin sees the ball land on a number relating to the original outside bet selection, your original stake will be released; but if it doesn’t, or lands on zero for a second time;
- then you’ll lose that wager.
It’s a good rule because, it gives you a chance to get your even-money bet back.
The other, more commonly used French roulette rule is called, “La Partage” and this is how it works:
- After making an even-money bet;
- If the ball lands on zero;
- The dealer will return half (50%) of your original stake.
If you bet a lot on outside, even-money wagers, try to find a table using the La Partage rule. The low house edge will give you a fairer chance of losing less when zero outcomes occur.
The outside 2-to-1 bets: how does roulette work on dozens and columns?
The column and dozen outside bets are those that pay 2-1. A bet on a column or dozen covers 12 numbers. There are three dozens and three columns to choose from. And the odds of winning are as follows:
- 32.4% on a European table.
- 31.6% on the American table.
Thus, all sensible roads should lead wise players to the European tables! However, there are players on a night out who get excited about the double-zero pocket wheels for some reason. Though it might be because some games advertise a low chip stake to tempt the penny pinchers.
All outside bets are clearly defined on the table betting layout with specific areas where each bet should go. The position of the roulette bets on the table.
How does roulette work and what are the roulette rules on Inside bets?
Risk-averse players should avoid inside bets since the odds of winning are reduced. On the other hand, if there’s a bit of a James Bond in you screaming to bet on the wild side then the potential profits are boosted.
35-1 Straight up bets
The roulette rules are that a winning single number bet will be rewarded with a payout of 35-1. Players can bet on any number i.e. 1 through to 36, and/or single zero or any of the two zeros (0 or 00) on the American table.
Please note that with the following five bet types, you only need to place one chip to cover: from the bet type of two numbers to the bet type of six numbers. However, if you choose to, you can wager additional chips to each of those positions if you wish to increase your overall bet size.
17-1 Split bet rules
The second most risky wager is on a split bet. This is any bet that covers two side by side numbers. Examples: 2 and 5 or 28 and 29. The payout is attractive at 17-1 moreover, given that one chip covers two numbers, thus increasing potential with an extra chance of hitting a number.
11-1 street bet roulette rules
Place a chip on the line that separates outside bets from inside ones so that three numbers line up with the chip.
How does roulette work on street bets - Examples:
- A chip on the line of 7, so that (7-8-9) act as the roulette street bet.
- Or on the line of 22, so that (22-23-24) act as a street bet.
There are 12 possible street bets as you can see on a betting table layout. The payoff is 11-1. And you win if the ball lands in one of the three street bet trio combinations. And on the European table, there are two possible trio bet combinations called basket bets that also pay 11-1. These are numbers: (0-1-2) and (0-2-3).
Three chances with one chip is a good bet even though the payout odds are lower than split bets and straight up bets.
8-1 Corner bet roulette rules
Place a chip on the point where four numbered squares meet, and you have an 8-1 corner bet. The corner bet roulette rules are that you only need one of the four numbers to hit to win. There are 12 possible corner bets, and 1 basket bet consisting of the following 4 numbers: (0-1-2-3) and paying the same roulette odds.
5-1 Six-line bet (also known as ‘double street’) roulette rules
The double street wager, is a bet on six numbers and the payout is 5-1. You basically bet on two side by side streets using one chip. Examples: one combination is, (7-8-9-10-11-12) and another is, (31-32-33-34-35-36). There are 11 possible six-line bets.
Description of roulette bets, payout multiplier and odds against winning for European roulette
How does roulette work when it comes to the worst bet type?
6-1 five number Basket bet explained
If you really want to know how does roulette work, then avoid the “Basket bet” which is the worst type of bet. It’s found on the American table. One chip staked gives you a bet selection of 5 numbers. If the ball lands on one, you’ll get a payout but not as much as you might hope for.
The five numbers are as follows: (0-00-1-2-3). This bet has winning odds of 5:38 and only pays 6-1. Therefore the player is disadvantaged by a 7.9% house edge. This is a 2.64% higher house edge than the standard American table house edge of 5.26% on all other bets. And a massive 5.2% higher house edge than the European table house edge of 2.7%.
The best way to develop your understanding of the game is to practice. Play for real or in demo mode and familiarise yourself with all bet types, the odds and payouts.
To learn more about the game please read Frank Scoblete's Ultimate Roulette Strategy Guide.
