How to Play Roulette: Rules and Strategies

Online roulette is a popular gambling game that is gradually replacing the traditional version. The reason for this shift is the ability to play anytime and anywhere, provided there is internet access. It is offered in several versions, with differences in possible bets and other gameplay features. In this article, we will explore the rules of roulette, familiarize you with the chances of winning for different types of bets, and provide you with more opportunities to win.

How to Play Roulette Correctly

Let’s figure out how does roulette work according to the rules. There is a general step-by-step guide for all variations of this game that outlines what needs to be done and how. The correct algorithm is as follows:

1. The croupier announces that players should place their bets.
2. Bettors decide what and how much they want to bet.
3. The croupier launches the ball into the wheel, which has already been spun. At the same time, players can continue placing their bets.
4. The croupier announces that the bets are locked, and no new bets will be accepted.
5. The wheel lands on a black or red slot with a specific number. If a bettor’s wager is successful, the winnings are paid out according to the rules of roulette for that variation.
6. Payouts are made.
7. The game begins again.

Roulette rules differ only in the details. It is important to take a closer look at the differences between the versions of this game.To increase your chances of success, understanding casino roulette strategie is essential

In land-based casinos, there are some roulette rules that are not officially written down but are followed by default. It is considered bad form to eat at the table, and in some cases, it is prohibited to place drinks on the gaming surface during the game. Bets can only be placed after the croupier announces it. The nature and size of the bets are discussed when the game is not in progress, and if the conditions allow, minor adjustments can be made. Chips should be placed carefully on the table, not thrown.

Types of Roulette

To better understand the rules of roulette, it is essential to first understand the different variations of the game. Three main types are identified:

1. European Roulette: In this version, the playing field contains 37 numbers, including one zero sector (0). It offers higher chances of winning compared to other versions due to the absence of a double zero sector.
2. French Roulette: Closely related to the European version, but it features two special rules: La Partage, where a bettor receives half of their stake back if a zero is spun, and En Prison, where the bet is blocked if a zero appears and is returned to the player if the next spin also results in zero.
3. American Roulette: The playing field contains 38 slots, including two zero sectors (0 and 00). This increases the house edge, reducing the likelihood of players winning.

A more detailed comparison of these three versions, along with an in-depth description of the differences in their primary features, is provided in the table below:

Parameter	European Roulette Online	French Roulette Online	American Roulette Online
Number of zero sectors	1	1	2 (0 и 00)
Chip collection	With a scoop	With a scoop	Manually
Types of bets	Verbal, on First Four (0, 1, 2, 3)	Verbal, on First Four (0, 1, 2, 3)	“Snake,” Top Line (5 numbers)
Types of chips	Only chips	Only valuable chips	Chips, valuable chips, money
House edge	2,7%	2,7%	5.26% for all, except for the 5-line bet – 7.89%
Payouts for high-chance bets if “zero” is spun	The chip remains in place. The bet is returned to the player if they make the correct prediction in the next round	Half of the bet is returned to the player	The chip is kept by the casino
Payouts	Starting with larger payouts	Increasing payouts	Increasing payouts
Table limits	There are minimum and maximum bets	Limits depend on the specific table	No maximum limit

These are the key differences between various types of roulette. The distinctions will also be noticeable during gameplay. However, each version offers the opportunity to enjoy and win if luck is on your side. Additionally, you can try different strategies and tactics aimed at increasing your chances of winning.

Types of Roulette Bets

Roulette rules include three main groups of bets. These are:

1. Inside Bets: The player places a bet on a specific number or a combination of numbers. The probability of winning is moderate to low, so the reward is usually significant. Examples: straight, split, corner, street, and others.
2. Outside Bets: The bettor can place a bet on larger groups of numbers or on their specific characteristics. The payouts are lower than inside bets, but the frequency of winning is much higher. Examples: red/black, even/odd, small/big, and others.
3. Verbal Bets: These bets exist only in the European and French versions of roulette. They are placed on a specific group of numbers located in a certain order on the roulette wheel. A special language is usually used to indicate these bets, and they are announced aloud by the croupier. Examples: neighbors of zero, third sector, orphans, and others. These bets require more skill and knowledge about the layout of the numbers on the wheel but can significantly diversify the gambling experience and increase the chances of winning, especially if the player is familiar with betting roulette strategie.

Let’s take a closer look at the bets in the first two groups, what they represent, their pros and cons, the probability of hitting the jackpot, and explore other features.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers located in the central part of the roulette table. These bets have a lower probability of winning compared to outside bets, but they offer higher payout odds. Below are the main types of inside bets:

1. Straight Up: A bet on a single specific number. Example: betting on 17. If 17 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 35:1.
2. Basket: A bet on 0, 1, 2, and 3 (in European roulette) or 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 (in American roulette). Example: betting on 0, 1, 2, and 3. If any of 0, 1, 2, or 3 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 8:1 (European version) and 6:1 (American version).
3. Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers located next to each other on the roulette table. Example: betting on 8 and 11. If either 8 or 11 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 17:1.
4. Trio: A special bet on 0, 1, and 2 or on 0, 2, and 3 (in European roulette), or 00, 2, and 3 (in American roulette). Example: betting on 0, 1, and 2. If any of 0, 1, or 2 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 11:1.
5. Street: A bet on three numbers arranged in a horizontal line. Example: betting on 13, 14, and 15. If any of these three wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 11:1.
6. Corner: A bet on four numbers forming a square on the table. Example: betting on 16, 17, 19, and 20. If any of these four wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 8:1.
7. Six Line: A bet on six numbers located in two adjacent horizontal lines. Example: betting on 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36. If any of these six numbers wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 5:1.

These bets allow players to aim for higher, though less frequent, payouts. They are suited for players who prefer riskier strategies with the possibility of significant rewards.

Outside Bets

Outside bets, or outside bets, are wagers made on groups of numbers or on specific characteristics of the numbers. They are located on the outer part of the roulette table, which is where they get their name. These bets have a higher probability of winning compared to inside bets, but they offer lower payout ratios. Below are the main types of outside bets:

1. Red or Black: A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black. Example: betting on red. If 7 (red) wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 1:1.
2. Even or Odd: A bet on whether the winning number will be even or odd. Example: betting on odd. If 21 (odd) wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 1:1.
3. High or Low: A bet on whether the winning number will be in the low (1–18) or high (19–36) range. Example: betting on low. If 12 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 1:1.
4. Dozen: A bet on one of three groups of 12 numbers (1–12, 13–24, 25–36). Example: betting on the first dozen (1–12). If 7 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 2:1.
5. Column: A bet on one of three vertical columns, each containing 12 numbers. Example: betting on the second column (containing 2, 5, 8, …, 35). If 8 wins, the bet is successful. Payout ratio – 2:1.

Outside bets are wagers with a relatively high probability of winning, but with lower payouts compared to inside bets. They are suited for players who prefer safer and more stable strategies, reducing the risk of loss by opting for smaller but more frequent wins.

Order of Numbers on the Roulette Wheel

On the roulette table, there are numbers from 1 to 36, as well as one or two zeros (depending on the version of the game). Each number corresponds to a spot on the table. The croupier throws the ball, which falls into one of the pockets. The winner is the one who guessed the pocket where the ball landed.

The numbers on the wheel are arranged in the following order:

• Numbers from 1 to 36 alternate between red and black.
• In the American version, there are also two green pockets, marked as 0 and 00.
• The European version has only one green pocket, marked as 0.

Thus, the American version usually has 38 numbers (from 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00), while the European version has 37 numbers (from 1 to 36 and 0). As a result, there are slight differences in the types of bets and the corresponding payouts.

The numbers on the wheel are not arranged in numerical order but are randomly scattered. However, the sequence remains the same. Typically, the sectors are as follows:

• Voisins De Zero or “Neighbors of Zero” – This includes 17 numbers arranged from left to right, surrounding the zero.
• Orphelins – These are 8 numbers, 5 of which are located to the left of the zero.
• Tier – This includes 12 numbers arranged from left to right, specifically numbers 33–27 and those in between.

In the American version, there are sectors with 00 and 000. Additionally, players can also place bets on a combo of 5 numbers.

Chances of Winning in Online Roulette

The probability of winning is determined by the type of bet chosen. Below are the odds of winning for various types of bets. These probabilities apply to all types and versions of the game, with the main differences lying in the specific elements of each gambling variant.

Roulette offers different odds. Here are the chances of winning for inside bets:

• Straight Up: 1:37 for European and 1:38 for American – This is considered the most profitable bet in this case.
• Split: 1:18.5–19
• Street: 1:12.3–12.7
• Corner: 1:9.25–9.5
• Five-Number: 1:7.4–7.6
• Six-Number: 1:6.2–6.3 – This bet is the most common but offers smaller payouts compared to others.

Chances of winning on outside bets:

• Column, Dozen: 1:3.1–3.2
• Red/Black, Even/Odd, Low/High: 1:2.06–2.11

The type of bet you choose influences your chances of winning. By understanding the differences between inside and outside bets, you can evaluate your chances more accurately. Knowing the odds can also help in developing a game strategy and increasing your chances of success.

It is also useful to examine the payout table to select the right roulette strategy. This will help you understand what to expect when choosing a particular bet. The following are the key payout ratios:

• 35:1 in Straight-Up – the highest payout.
• 17:1 in Split.
• 11:1 in Street.
• 8:1 in Corner and Square.
• 6:1 in Five-Number.
• 5:1 in Six-Number.
• 2:1 in Column and Dozen.
• 1:1 in Low, High, Red, Black, Even, Odd – these bets occur much more frequently but offer smaller rewards.

Straight-up, split, and street bets are the most popular and high-paying if your strategy or tactic works. These bets should be approached with responsibility, calculating each step and its probability to avoid wasting money. To learn how to win at roulette, an effective betting system should be used across different types. This will help you determine what is most effective, convenient, and profitable for you, allowing you to adapt your tactics accordingly.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions