As one of the most popular and easiest to learn games in the casino, roulette has been a customer favorite for as long as we can remember. Fun, strategy and multitudes of betting choices lead to the exciting spin of the wheel, where winners and losers are determined by a matter of bouncing the almighty white ball a few times.
Whether you’ve never played roulette before or are an experienced player returning to the action, our experts have put together a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know to become a master roulette player at the tables. We’ll cover the basics of how to play the game and expand into some more advanced concepts and explanations to get you ready!
Why do roulette?
Picking your favourite casino game can sometimes be a challenge as there are so many options and variations to choose from. If you are new to casino gambling, roulette could be the perfect first stop for you. There is a reason why roulette tables are usually full of smiling players. Here are a few reasons why.
The easiest game to learn
Many casino games are difficult for players to get interested in or enjoy because they are far too complex and require constant thought and attention. Sometimes we just want to gamble and relax. Thanks to countless different betting options, roulette can be as simple or as complex as you’d like.
According to Caesars Palace, it only takes four minutes to learn how to play roulette.
tonnes of different betting choices.
One of the coolest things about playing roulette is that there are tonnes of different and interesting ways to place your bets. You can keep it simple and choose red or black, or odd or even, and let the steering wheel do all the work. If you’re looking for a little more risk and excitement, you have the option of betting on individual numbers, combinations of numbers, or many other options. These options are more challenging to win, but the payouts are richly rewarding. This kind of flexibility makes roulette one of the most versatile and entertaining games offered in live or online casinos.
Roulette gives you the opportunity to win in small increments or take risks to win big. Your simpler bets tend to be low-risk and pay off by double winning your stake. This is great for the casual player who likes to take their time and enjoy the whole experience. The riskier bets give players the opportunity to stand a chance of winning big with payouts as high as 35 to 1! These bets are great for risk-takers, excitement-seekers, or just the casual player looking to take a small chance.
Play as long or as short as you want.
Never feel like you have to or stay away when you play roulette. Since each spin of the wheel is a completely independent and separate game, you can stay for one roll or stay for hours. If you’re in the right place, you can literally keep playing and try to put together a big winning session. If things don’t quite go your way, you’re not obligated to stay past one roll. This kind of flexibility also allows you to get into a session quickly if you’re in a hurry but don’t have a lot of time.
How do you play roulette?
As we have mentioned several times, roulette is probably the easiest game in the casino to learn to play. A roulette table will always consist of a wheel, a small white ball, and a table printed with all your betting options. You also have a live dealer in the casino, or an electronic dealer if you play online. Each game consists of a round of betting, after which the dealer spins the wheel, drops the white ball and waits to see where it lands. The object of the game is to predict with your bets which number the white ball will land on. After each spin of the wheel, the game resets completely and starts over with a new round of betting.
It is important to note that you do not have to guess the number exactly, but you can guess the characteristics of the number and still get paid. For example, if you choose to bet that the number rolled is odd, you will be paid if the number determined by the cue ball is odd. It doesn’t matter to you whether it’s 13 or 31; you will still be paid on your bet.
Each of the numbers on the wheel is also marked with alternating colours of red and black. Players can also bet on the colour of the outcome of the roll. Again, guessing the actual number is not required on this bet, but only if you get the correct suit, you are a winner.
Before the game starts, players are instructed to place their bets. This is when you can choose what to bet on for the next spin. We will go into detail later on the different types of bets and options available to you. Bets are made by placing your chips on the felt in the area designated for the bet you wish to place.
For example, if you want to bet that the outcome of the roll will be black, place your chips in the box marked “black” on the felt. If you wanted to bet that the outcome of the roll would be a specific number, you would place your bet right on top of that number on the felt. Do you want to place multiple bets? No problem. Let’s say you wanted to bet on black and also bet on number 31. You would place a bet on the black part and then place another bet directly on number 31.
If you play live at a table in a casino or online with multiple players, you can imagine that it is important to keep track of whose bets are true. For this reason, casinos will exchange your money for coloured chips to keep track of your bets. For example, if there are three players at a table, one player may have red chips, one player may have yellow chips, and one player may have purple chips. This makes it very easy for you and the dealers to know who the bet belongs to.
These are the basics to getting started with roulette. If you’d like an even more in-depth look at the rules, nuances, and gameplay, we’ll cover each individual aspect in this section.
Different types of roulette bets
The object of roulette is to try to predict the outcome of where the white ball will land on each spin of the wheel. If we could only guess which song it was, the game would be a bit boring as there would be no variety and it would get way too repetitive. Fortunately, the game’s designers have built in numerous betting options to make the game much more exciting, versatile, and downright fun. Let’s take a look at some of the different categories of bets you can place.
Individual Number Gambling
This is the easiest bet you can place in the game of roulette. You bet on a certain number, and you can only win if that number is played. If you bet that the number 13 comes out, you will only win if the number 13 is rolled. As you can imagine, this is quite difficult to get done. For that reason, however, you get paid out $35 for every $1 you wager when it hits. This bet is riskier, but offers an enticing payout.
Bets on Groups and Numbers
This betting option is one of the most diverse offered, with several options. Basically, instead of betting on just one number, you have the option of betting on a group of numbers. This can be as wide a range as 1-18 or 19-36, or as narrow a range as picking two numbers like 1 and 2. Intermediate ranges are also available for players to choose.
As you may have guessed, the wider the range, the lower the payout you will receive. For example, if you choose to bet on 1-18 and win, you will get your money immediately. Then, the tighter your set of numbers, the higher the payout you will receive. If you bet the two numbers as in our example, the payout would be 17:1, significantly higher.
Bets with distinctive bets
These are the bets we recommend for beginners who want to get more familiar with roulette. (This doesn’t mean they aren’t great bets for seasoned players, either.) Instead of betting on specific numbers or groups of numbers, you’re betting on what we’ve called the “features” of the number. This includes betting on the colour of the number or on the even or oddness of the number. These bets always pay the same amount and are as simple as they sound. If you bet black and a black number rolls, you win. If you bet even and roll an even number, you win. It’s so easy!
This is just a brief look at the twenty different types of bets that exist in roulette. If you want to learn more and really become an expert, we’ve taken an in-depth look at the types of bets, how to place them, and their payouts.
Variations on roulette
Like most casino games, there are a few different variations of roulette that you will encounter depending on what part of the world you are in and what type of casino you are playing at. If you’re worried that we’re going to complicate this easy-to-learn game, don’t worry; the differences in the variations of these games are extremely minor, but important enough to point out.
The three main versions of roulette are European Roulette, American Roulette, and French Roulette. American Roulette is, as you may have guessed, the version of roulette typically played in American casinos. The only real difference between American Roulette and European Roulette is that the American version has a single zero and a double zero, while the European version has only a single zero. This doesn’t affect gameplay at all, but it does affect some of the payout odds.
French Roulette is almost the same as European Roulette, except that the betting board is laid out differently and there are a few minor rule differences. These rules, known as the “La Partage” rule and the “en prison” rule, are optional in some casinos. These rules have a greater effect on gameplay, so if you go to a casino that offers this variant, we recommend clicking below for more in-depth details.
If you’d like to learn more about the variations of roulette, especially how odds and gameplay are affected, check out this information our experts have put together to analyse every detail.
Roulette Strategy
So you’re ready to learn how to beat the house at roulette? Unfortunately, the house will have an edge in the long run, as is the case with all casino gambling. This doesn’t mean you can’t be a winner, nor does it mean you can’t use a few strategies to give yourself a better chance of winning. Our experts present and analyse some of the most popular betting and strategy methods so you can decide whether to use them or not.
The best roulette strategies
In addition to the strategies we have discussed, there are several tips that you can apply right away to improve your odds and experience while playing roulette. These tips can be applied to any variation of the game and should be practised every time you play.
Don’t bet against yourself.
This is without a doubt the most important tip we can give you. It’s shocking how often you’ll see people doing this at the tables.
Make sure all your bets work together.
What does this mean? Let’s look at an example that should make this very clear.
Suppose you decide that you want to place a bet on the number 6 and that you want to bet on the colour red. Sounds like a great gamble, right? wrong. It is physically impossible for you to win both of your bets. If the ball rolls red, you win your red bet, but you can’t win your six bet. Why? 6 is a black number. If the ball rolls on the 6, you win your individual bet on the number, but you lose your bet on color, as the number 6 is always black.
If you bet $1 on the number 6 and $20 on the colour red, you can win a maximum of $35 (by hitting the 6).
Instead, change your red bet to black to correct this and make your bets work together. Now if you bet $1 on 6 and $20 on black, you can win $55 (by hitting the same number–6)! When you place this bet, you are giving yourself the opportunity to win an extra $20 on every spin. Don’t be a loser and give the casino a higher edge than they deserve.
Don’t pay for a “winning” system.
For some reason, this seems hard for people to understand. The real reason is that most people probably wish it wasn’t the case. Vegas is not built on winners. Casinos always have the advantage in the long run and will always win in the long run. This means that there is no system capable of overcoming the power of statistics and mathematics. If anyone ever tries to sell you or convince you that they have come up with a system to beat the odds, they will lie to you and try to scam you.
Does this mean you can never win at roulette? Of course not! The casino advantage is very small and refers to the long-term advantage over thousands upon thousands of spins on the wheel. Many people play roulette and are big winners in the game. Remember that the whole point of gambling in casinos and online is to have fun, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Learn the rules.
This tip is so simple, but it’s still extremely important to point it out. You should never play or gamble in any casino game until you fully understand and are comfortable with everything that is going on. As simple as roulette is, it is important that you take the time to read before you play. By the time you finish reading this guide, you should be very comfortable with every aspect of the game and ready to try your luck.
If you’d like to read even more great tips for playing roulette, we’ve included a complete list of our tips for you.
Online Roulette vs. Live Roulette
Thanks to the advancement of the internet, we now have several options for playing our favourite casino games. As one of the most popular games out there, roulette can be found in almost every live casino and certainly every online casino out there. While the game is exactly the same live and online, there are several differences that will lead to a slightly different experience. Here are some of the pros and cons of each of the different ways to play.
Live Roulette
Live roulette in a casino is a great game for those looking for a social outing and the live casino experience. If you like dressing up and going to the casino on a Friday night, live roulette might be the better choice for you. Many people have also indicated that they like to place their bets physically. Something about manipulating and moving all those chips adds to the rush for some.
The only real drawbacks to live roulette have to do with logistics and crowds. Being such a popular game, you can expect most tables to be quite full most of the time, especially on peak evenings. This can make it challenging to get a seat and can overwhelm some people, as the tables usually get quite packed with people reaching over you to place bets.
You will probably also have trouble reaching the other side of the gambling felt. If you want to place a bet on the other side of the table, you may need to try and get a dealer or other patron to help you place your bet. This can be frustrating at times and can get in the way of the relaxation and enjoyment of the experience.
Online roulette
Online roulette is great for players who love the convenience and ability to dictate how their experience goes. Online roulette gives you the opportunity to play anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. You never have a problem getting a seat, and you don’t have to worry about reaching the other side of the betting felt as you place all your bets with a click of your mouse.
One of the other benefits of playing online roulette is that you can play without leaving the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to deal with the traffic and parking at the casino, the smoky air, or pushy and rude people trying to reach out and place their bets. You can also play at your own pace without feeling rushed by the other players or the dealer. Did we mention that you don’t have to put on pants if you don’t want to?
The interface is also extremely easy to use and has the same look and feel as a real live casino. Here is a screenshot to show you exactly what it looks like to play online roulette.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about roulette
Can I win at roulette?
Naturally, It is important to note that the casino has a house edge in the long run. However, this does not mean that you can not be a winner in the game. Many people play roulette and always win big!
Here’s a great storey of a man who bets his savings on one spin of the roulette wheel! Please note that we DO NOT recommend this AT ALL!
How do you win at roulette?
The point of roulette is to accurately predict where the little white ball will land on each spin. The more accurately you can predict this, the more you win! You also have twenty different types of bets to place on every spin, so the sky is the limit with options.
Is online or live roulette better?
This is entirely a matter of preference. Live roulette is great for a social experience, but can feel a bit crowded and overwhelming at times. Online roulette is great for ease and comfort, not to mention that you don’t have to leave your home to start playing right away!
Can I play online roulette for high stakes?
Yes! You can certainly find a place to play for high stakes online. Most importantly, find a site that you feel confident in trusting with your money. With all the shady practises reported there and because we care so much about safety, we’ve written a page specifically about high stakes roulette and where to play it.
What is the difference between American, European, and French roulette?
The three variants of roulette are all very similar, with a few minor differences. American Roulette is the only version with a single and double zero on the wheel. This puts the player at a slightly greater disadvantage. European and French roulette are almost identical, with only the single zero pocket on the wheel. French roulette has a few minor rule variations that you should scroll up and read about if you play anywhere it’s offered.
Do I need to look for patterns in the numbers to get a head start?
Many players like to look at the past spins and look for a pattern to try and predict the outcome of the next spin. You will see people waiting for a bunch of red spins in a row and then betting heavily on black because they think they are much more likely to land. While this can be a fun strategy and make the game more entertaining, it doesn’t give you a mathematical edge over the casino. Each spin is 100% independent of the last. This means that no matter what happens before, the next spin will be completely random.
Is there somewhere I can play for free to learn the game?
Sure! Most of the online casinos on our preferred list offer play money tables so you can practise and familiarise yourself with the game before playing for real. If you want to practise with a little skin in the game, they also offer super low limit tables.
Which sites do you recommend for playing online?
We’ve put together a list of our favourite trusted online casinos for you here. Take a look around at each of the ones we’ve listed and find the one that best suits your personality. Each casino will have a slightly different look and feel and will offer different bonus options and variations on roulette. That said, any of the sites on this list would be a great place for you to start playing roulette or pick up where you left off!