Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games in the world. The spinning wheel, bouncing ball, and simple betting structure make it accessible to complete beginners. But if you've never played before, the table layout and variety of bets can seem confusing. This guide explains everything you need to know to start playing roulette confidently. We'll cover how the game works, the types of bets you can make, how payouts are calculated, and important differences between game variations. Whether you're planning to play online or at a physical casino, this guide prepares you for your first session.
What Is Roulette?
Roulette is a game of pure chance where a ball is spun around a rotating wheel divided into numbered pockets. Players bet on where the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning.
The basic concept:You place bets on the table layout before the spin. The dealer (called the "croupier" in roulette) spins the wheel in one direction and launches the ball in the opposite direction. When the ball loses momentum, it falls into one of the numbered pockets. If your bet covers that number, you win. There's no skill or strategy that changes where the ball lands. Every spin is completely independent and random. Roulette is pure luck, which makes it easy to learn but impossible to predict.
The Roulette Wheel and Table Layout
The roulette wheel contains numbered pockets. The two main versions are:
European Roulette:- 37 pockets: numbers 1-36 plus a single green 0 - Numbers alternate between red and black - Lower house edge (2.7%)
American Roulette:- 38 pockets: numbers 1-36 plus green 0 and green 00 - Numbers alternate between red and black - Higher house edge (5.26%) The extra 00 pocket in American roulette significantly increases the house edge. We'll explain why this matters in our guide on [European vs American roulette](#).
The table layout shows all available bets. It displays: - Individual numbers arranged in a grid - Outside betting areas for red/black, odd/even, high/low, and other group bets - Special sections for dozens and columns
How a Roulette Round Works
Here's the step-by-step flow of a roulette round:
Step 1: Betting phasePlayers place chips on the table layout, choosing which numbers or groups they want to bet on. You can make multiple bets in a single round. At physical casinos, the dealer will announce "place your bets" or similar. Online, you simply click to place chips.
Step 2: Spinning the wheelThe dealer closes betting (announcing "no more bets") and spins the wheel. The ball is launched in the opposite direction.
Step 3: Ball landsThe ball loses momentum and falls into one of the numbered pockets.
Step 4: Dealer announces the resultThe dealer calls out the winning number and its color (e.g., "17 black"). A marker is placed on that number on the table layout.
Step 5: PayoutsThe dealer collects all losing bets and pays out winners based on the payout structure. We'll cover payouts in detail below.
Step 6: New round beginsThe process repeats. At physical casinos, there's a brief pause between rounds. Online roulette usually allows you to bet immediately.
Types of Roulette Bets
Roulette offers many different bets, divided into two main categories: inside bets and outside bets.
Inside Bets (Higher Payouts, Lower Probability)
These bets are placed on the numbered grid inside the table layout.
Straight Up: Bet on a single number (0-36) - Payout: 35:1 - Probability: 2.7% (European), 2.63% (American) - Example: Bet $10 on 17, win $350
Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers - Payout: 17:1 - Probability: 5.4% (European), 5.26% (American) - Place chip on the line between two numbers
Street: Bet on three numbers in a row - Payout: 11:1 - Probability: 8.1% (European), 7.89% (American) - Place chip at the edge of the row
Corner: Bet on four numbers that meet at a corner - Payout: 8:1 - Probability: 10.8% (European), 10.53% (American) - Place chip where four numbers meet
Line: Bet on six numbers (two adjacent rows) - Payout: 5:1 - Probability: 16.2% (European), 15.79% (American)
Outside Bets (Lower Payouts, Higher Probability)
These bets are placed in designated areas outside the numbered grid.
Red or Black: Bet on all red or all black numbers - Payout: 1:1 (even money) - Probability: 48.6% (European), 47.4% (American) - Covers 18 numbers
Odd or Even: Bet on all odd or all even numbers - Payout: 1:1 - Probability: 48.6% (European), 47.4% (American) - Covers 18 numbers
High or Low: Bet on 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high) - Payout: 1:1 - Probability: 48.6% (European), 47.4% (American)
Dozens: Bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 - Payout: 2:1 - Probability: 32.4% (European), 31.6% (American)
Columns: Bet on one of three vertical columns - Payout: 2:1 - Probability: 32.4% (European), 31.6% (American) For detailed odds and payout calculations, see our [roulette bets explained](#) guide.
Understanding Payouts and Probability
Roulette payouts are designed so the house always has an edge, regardless of which bet you make.
How payouts work:If you bet $10 on red and win, you get your $10 back plus $10 in winnings (1:1 payout). If you bet $10 on a straight-up number and win, you get your $10 back plus $350 in winnings (35:1 payout).
Why the house has an edge:The green 0 (and 00 in American roulette) tilts the odds in the casino's favor. For example, a red/black bet should pay based on 50/50 odds. But because of the green 0, there are 37 possible outcomes (European) or 38 (American), not 36. You're paid as if there are only 36 outcomes, which creates the house edge.
House edges:- European roulette: 2.7% on all bets - American roulette: 5.26% on most bets This is why European roulette is always the better choice when available.
Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison
Some European roulette tables offer special rules that reduce the house edge on even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low):
La Partage ("The Divide"):If the ball lands on 0 and you made an even-money bet, you get half your bet back instead of losing it all. This cuts the house edge to 1.35% on these bets.
En Prison ("In Prison"):If the ball lands on 0 and you made an even-money bet, your bet is "imprisoned" for the next spin. If you win the next spin, you get your original bet back with no winnings. If you lose, the bet is taken. This also reduces the house edge to 1.35%. Not all casinos offer these rules, but they're worth seeking out if you primarily make even-money bets.
Betting Strategies: Do They Work?
Many players use betting systems like Martingale (doubling bets after losses) or Fibonacci sequences.
The truth about betting systems:They don't change the house edge or improve your odds. Each spin is independent and random. Past results don't influence future outcomes. Betting systems can make the game feel more structured, but they don't overcome the mathematical advantage the casino has. We cover this topic in depth in our article on [roulette myths](#).
The risk of betting systems:Progressive systems (doubling bets after losses) can quickly hit table limits or exhaust your bankroll during a losing streak. A few consecutive losses can require very large bets to continue the system.
Online vs Physical Roulette
Both versions follow the same rules, but the experience differs:
Physical casino roulette:- Real wheel and ball - Social atmosphere - Slower pace (time between spins) - Requires chips exchange at the table
Online roulette:- Random number generator (RNG) determines results - Faster pace (instant spins available) - Play at your own speed - Often lower minimum bets
Live dealer roulette:- Combines online convenience with real wheels - Streamed from studios or real casinos - Real dealer spins a physical wheel - Slower than RNG but faster than in-person casinos All legitimate online roulette games use certified RNG systems that ensure fairness. For more on game fairness, see our guide on [how RNG works](#).
Playing Roulette Safely
Roulette is purely random, which makes it important to approach it with the right mindset:
Set a budget before you playDecide how much you're willing to spend and stop when you reach that limit. Never gamble money you can't afford to lose.
Avoid chasing lossesIf you're losing, increasing bets or playing longer rarely fixes the problem. The house edge doesn't change based on your recent results.
Choose European over AmericanWhenever possible, play European roulette (2.7% house edge) instead of American (5.26%). The difference is significant over time.
Understand it's a game of chanceThere's no skill or strategy that predicts where the ball will land. Treat roulette as entertainment with a cost, not a way to make money.
Take breaksRoulette can be fast-paced, especially online. Regular breaks help you stay aware of how much you're spending and how long you've been playing.