How to Play Roulette

For centuries, the game of Roulette—French for "little wheel"—has been the epitome of casino glamour and excitement. Its simple premise—predicting where a small ball will land on a spinning, numbered roulette wheel—belies the depth of its betting structure. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the fundamental roulette rules, explain every type of wager, compare the major variants, and explore popular roulette betting systems to prepare you for the table. Whether you are seeking to understand the mechanics of the game or searching for a robust best roulette strategy, you will find all the crucial information here. The goal is straightforward: correctly predict the outcome of the roulette wheel spin and collect your winnings. Before you can hope to win at roulette, a firm grasp of the basics is essential. 

The Essentials: Understanding the Wheel and Table

To begin playing, you must first familiarize yourself with the physical components and the game flow and etiquette of the table.

The Roulette Table Layout and Croupier Role

The game is overseen by the croupier role (the dealer), who manages the betting, spins the wheel, announces the winning number, and handles all payouts. The roulette table layout is where all the action takes place. It features a betting grid corresponding to the numbers on the wheel. Players use special roulette chips—often colored uniquely for each player to avoid confusion—to place their wagers. The value of these chips is determined upon purchase at the table.

The Roulette Wheel Mechanics: American vs. European

The first critical distinction in your roulette journey is the type of wheel you are playing on, which dramatically affects your odds.

• European Roulette Wheel (Single Zero): This is often considered the superior option for players. It has 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 (red and black) and a single green single zero wheel (0).

• American Roulette Wheel (Double Zero): Popular in North America, this wheel has 38 pockets: 1 through 36, a single green 0, and an additional green double zero wheel (00).

This seemingly minor difference is central to the game’s math, impacting the house edge explained later in the guide.

Placing Your Bets: Game Flow

A round of roulette follows a strict, yet simple, procedure:

1. Placing Bets: The croupier announces "Place your bets." Players strategically place their roulette chips on the betting layout.

2. The Spin: The croupier spins the roulette wheel in one direction and launches the ball in the opposite direction along a track.

3. No More Bets: The croupier announces "No more bets" or "Rien ne va plus," after which no further wagers may be placed.

4. Outcome and Payout: The ball falls into one of the numbered pockets. The croupier announces the winning number and color, marks it on the table with a dolly (a small marker), and then sweeps away all losing wagers before executing all collecting winnings for the successful players.

A Deep Dive into Roulette Bets and Payout Odds

The sheer variety of betting options is what gives roulette its reputation for excitement. All wagers fall into two primary categories: Inside Bets and Outside Bets.

Inside Bets (Higher Risk, Higher Payout)

These bets are placed directly on the numbered section of the roulette table layout. They cover fewer numbers and thus offer higher payout odds and larger prizes.

Bet Type	Description	Chip Placement	Payout Odds
Straight-Up Bet	A wager on a single number (including 0 and 00).	Directly on the number.	35 to 1
Split Bet	A wager on two adjacent numbers.	On the line dividing the two numbers.	17 to 1
Street Bet	A wager on a row of three numbers.	On the outside border of the row.	11 to 1
Corner Bet	A wager on four numbers that meet at a corner.	On the common corner intersection.	8 to 1
Six Line Bet	A wager on six consecutive numbers forming two adjacent rows.	On the outer intersection shared by the two rows.	5 to 1
Trio / Basket Bet	A three-number bet involving the zero(s) (e.g., 0, 1, 2 or 0, 00, 2).	On the line shared by the three numbers.	11 to 1 or 6 to 1 (American 5-number bet)

Outside Bets (Lower Risk, Lower Payout)

These bets are placed on the boxes surrounding the main number grid. They cover large groups of numbers, offering a much higher probability of winning but with significantly lower payout odds. They are the preferred choice for players using betting progression guides like the Martingale.

Bet Type	Description	Payout Odds	Probability (European)
Red or Black	Bet on the color of the winning number.	1 to 1 (Even Money)	18/37 (48.65%)
Odd or Even	Bet on whether the winning number is odd or even.	1 to 1 (Even Money)	18/37 (48.65%)
High or Low	Bet on 1–18 (Low) or 19–36 (High).	1 to 1 (Even Money)	18/37 (48.65%)
Dozen Bet	Bet on the 1st (1-12), 2nd (13-24), or 3rd (25-36) dozen.	2 to 1	12/37 (32.4%)
Column Bet	Bet on one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers.	2 to 1	12/37 (32.4%)

It is crucial to note that the green zero (0) and double zero (00) pockets are not included in any of the above Outside Bets, which is where the casino derives its mathematical advantage, or house edge explained.

Mastering the Variants: European vs. American Roulette

Understanding the difference between the two main roulette variants is arguably the single most important decision a player can make, as it directly impacts your long-term success.

The House Edge Explained

The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino holds over the player, represented as a percentage of the total amount wagered that the casino expects to keep in the long run.

• European Roulette House Edge: With only one zero pocket (37 total numbers), the European roulette house edge is a favorable 2.70% for all bets.

• American Roulette House Edge: With the addition of the '00' pocket (38 total numbers), the American roulette house edge calculation is nearly double, clocking in at 5.26% for all standard bets.

The odds of hitting a straight-up bet are 1 in 37 (European) or 1 in 38 (American), yet the payout remains 35:1 for both. This difference is the casino's guaranteed profit. This is why experienced players overwhelmingly recommend you play European roulette online or in a physical casino, exploiting the significant single zero advantage.

Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison

Some European tables feature special rules, primarily applying to even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) when the ball lands on zero:

• La Partage (Sharing): The player loses only half of their even-money wager. This effectively halves the house edge on those specific bets to a mere 1.35%.

• En Prison (In Prison): The even-money wager is "imprisoned" for the next spin. If the next spin is a win, the player gets their original stake back (no winnings); if it's a loss, the stake is lost. This also lowers the edge to 1.35%.

These rules further solidify the superiority of European-style play when choosing the best roulette variant.

Roulette Strategy and Bankroll Management

While roulette is a game of pure chance, meaning no betting strategy can change the random nature of roulette or overcome the house edge in the long run, specific roulette betting systems can help structure your play and manage your losses.

Bankroll Management: The Foundation of Strategy

The most crucial advice is setting a betting limit and sticking to it. Your bankroll management plan should dictate how much you are prepared to lose and when you will walk away after a significant win. Never chase losses, as this is the fastest way to deplete your funds.

Popular Roulette Betting Systems

Many systems exist, largely focused on Outside Bets (even-money wagers) because of their near 50% chance of winning. These systems are known as betting progression guides.

1. The Martingale Strategy (Negative Progression):

   • Concept: Double your bet after every loss. When you eventually win, you recoup all previous losses and gain a profit equal to your initial stake.

   • Application: Start with a small red or black betting or odd or even strategy wager. If you lose $5, your next bet is $10. If you lose again, the next is $20, and so on.

   • Warning: While statistically appealing for the short term, this is a dangerous system. It requires a massive bankroll management cushion and often runs into table maximum bet limits during a long losing streak, leaving you unable to double your way back. Learn to using the Martingale system safely by limiting your progression.

2. The D'Alembert System (Negative Progression):

   • Concept: A safer, lower-risk alternative to the Martingale. Increase your bet by one unit after a loss, and decrease it by one unit after a win.

   • Application: Start with a 10-unit bet. Lose, next bet is 11 units. Win, next bet is 10 units. The gradual progression makes it easier to manage losses during small streaks.

3. The Reverse Martingale (Paroli System - Positive Progression):

   • Concept: Increase your bet after a win, aiming to capitalize on a short winning streak.

   • Application: Double your bet after a win, and revert to your original stake after a loss. The goal is to maximize profits during hot runs using the casino's money, rather than constantly trying to recover your own.

4. The Fibonacci Sequence:

   • Concept: A negative progression system where you increase your bet according to the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.) after a loss, and move back two steps after a win.

   • Application: Safer than the Martingale, as the bet increases are less aggressive.

Crucial Advanced Roulette Tips

Remember that every spin is an independent event. The results of the previous 10 spins have zero impact on the outcome of the next spin. The goal of using any of these systems is purely to manage your money and add structure to your play, not to overcome the built-in house edge. A truly best roulette strategy is disciplined bankroll management.

Final Thoughts and Resources

Roulette is the perfect blend of chance and strategic wagering. By mastering the distinction between the European and American wheels, understanding the full range of inside bets and outside bets, and employing sound bankroll management, you elevate your play from simple gambling to an informed, strategic session. Remember to always seek out the single zero wheel for the best odds and most favorable return. Good luck with your next spin!