Roulette is, of course, one of the most iconic casino games of all time. You can’t expect to walk into a physical casino or even head to an online lounge without seeing a few different wheels set up.
However, roulette is a game that has a few different intricacies. For example, while the idea of betting on red or black spaces might seem straightforward, did you know several other bets are available in this game? This is what the table grid is there for – and for many people, the different bets and side markets available in roulette help to make the game a little more interesting.
In this guide, we take you through the basics of roulette, the rules, and the aim of the game. We also share a few different spins on the game and a few roulette tips you should keep in mind if it’s your first time getting into this casino staple.
Ready to learn how to play roulette? Let’s get started.
Aim of the Game
The aim of roulette is to guess where you think the ball on a roulette wheel will land after a dealer spins it.
Roulette centres on a wheel with numbered compartments marked in black or red, with one or two numbers in green.
Players place their bets or chips before the dealer spins the wheel on where they think the ball will land.
The roulette basics are as follows: pick a number or a colour, let the wheel spin, and see if your choice is correct. It may seem straightforward, but there are many different ways to play the game.
So, let’s dive deeper into some roulette rules and how it all works in practice.
Roulette Basic Rules
To start playing roulette, you need to place a bet on where you think the ball will land in the wheel. A dealer will take bets before they spin the wheel, meaning you have just a few seconds to choose before the action starts.
You can place bets on several different odds or markets as you wish. These appear on a grid on the roulette table. We’ll cover this in a little more detail below.
Each game of roulette, or each table, will have its minimum and maximum bets. This means you should always consider how many chips you can place before starting the game. These limits differ from game to game.
Once a dealer announces, “No more bets, please,” it’s time to close that betting round. Players then wait for the wheel to spin, and once it stops, the dealer announces the number and colour that the ball lands on.
If you choose the winning number, colour or group, you take the chips on the table, and betting begins again. In online roulette, the gameplay is a little faster because there are no physical chips.
As you can probably tell, roulette is one of the more straightforward casino games available in terms of its setup and rules. However, there are a few pieces of information to keep in mind before you start playing for real, so don’t assume that you know it all until you’ve finished reading this guide!
Understanding the Roulette Wheel and Table
As mentioned, the roulette wheel is split into different numbers and colours. However, you will also find that the numbers available on a wheel differ depending on the version of roulette you play. European and American roulette are two of the most popular variations; we’ll cover these in more detail below.
For now, however, let’s look at the basics of roulette when playing the European game. On a typical European roulette wheel, there are 37 different pockets. These are slots where the ball lands after the wheel is spun. In this version of the game, the ball can land in numbers 0 through 37, with 1 to 36 alternating between red and black colours.
The 0 pocket is special. This is the green zone, and if the roulette ball lands in this space, it gives one of the biggest bet returns on the table. In fact, the green zone or 0 pocket also helps to even out the house edge.
The numbers around a European roulette wheel are randomly sequenced, meaning that they are not in numerical order as you might expect.
Now, let’s look at the roulette table. If you’ve ever seen one, you might recognise that it traditionally splits into many different betting zones. Here, players place their chips and bet on how the wheel’s next spin will turn out.
The main grid on the European roulette table lets you place bets on the individual numbers on the wheel. There’s a 0 at the top, and the numbers 1 through 36 follow below. At the base are ‘2 to 1’ spaces, where you place chips to bet on the whole of a column of 12 numbers.
Beneath this grid, you will see ‘thirds’ or groups of 12 – for example, the ‘1st 12’. Here, numbers 1 through 36 are arranged into three groups, meaning you can bet on a range from within that group instead of individual pockets.
For example, if you bet on the 1st 12, you bet on the likelihood of the ball landing on numbers 1 through 12. If you bet on the 2nd 12, you choose numbers 13 through 24. As you might imagine, these bets carry different odds from choosing individual pocket numbers outright.
Below that, there are even further betting markets. You’ll usually see options for ‘1 to 18’ and ‘19 to 36’ on either side of the lower grid. These should be self-explanatory – you’re betting on the roulette ball landing on the first or second half of the numbers in the wheel.
Moving inward, you’ll also see that there are bets on even and odd numbers. Again, this market lets you split the choices right down the middle, like a coin toss. If the roulette ball lands on a 1, 15, 33, etc., you claim an odd win. If it lands on 8, 26, 30, etc., it’s an even win.
Finally, red or black is one of the most popular markets available to bet on via the roulette table. This, again, halves the grid but, at the same time, takes things right down to the basics. You don’t have to pay attention to numbers at all!
Now that you know a bit about how some of the bets work in practice, we’ll take you through how an example game might look.
Roulette Gameplay
Picking up roulette as a first-time player can be more straightforward than you might think. However, to help you along, here are some of the main steps to follow when getting started:
- Place your bets or chips on the roulette table. For this example, let’s assume you’re placing chips on the ball landing in black.
- Wait for the dealer to close betting and watch the roulette wheel spin. This same principle applies to online casinos, live casinos and real-life tables.
- The dealer or game will announce the winning pocket when the wheel stops spinning. If you choose the correct number, colour or group, you claim a prize.
- Play then repeats with another round of betting. Remember to walk away at a healthy time – roulette is completely random, meaning there is never any point in chasing wins or trying to avenge losses.
Gameplay for certain twists on roulette tables will vary. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check out the rules on how to play roulette for the specific game you load up or get into.
Remember, there are also plenty of live roulette games that add game show elements. Again, read the terms and gameplay rules carefully before getting started, as these might vary from the basic roulette rules you know.
Roulette Bet Types and Variants
So far, we’ve introduced you to some straight bets in roulette. So, let’s examine some of the different types and game variants available to you online and at brick-and-mortar casinos.
To start, let’s look at inside bets. Inside bets take place from inside the top, numbered grid on a roulette table. These bets split this grid up further so that you can bet on specific combinations of numbers instead of just individual pockets.
For example, you might bet on a ‘square’, which is a block of four numbers in that grid. A ‘split’ bet, meanwhile, is two adjacent numbers. You might also choose to bet on a ‘street’, which is three numbers in a row.
Now, let’s go ‘outside’. Outside bets are those that cover the groups and the 2 to 1 boxes on the roulette table.
For example, one option might be to place a ‘dozen bet’, which covers one of the groups of 12, as discussed above. Or you might place a bet on 1 to 18 inclusive, which some players call a ‘low’ bet.
Finally, let’s consider the differences between the most popular roulette variants – European, French and American.
In American roulette, you can choose between 1 and 36 (and 0), but you also have a second green zone, a double zero or ‘00’. In this game, the number sequence in the wheel also differs from the European model.
French roulette is fairly similar to the European version in that it follows the rule of a single zero pocket, but the table betting layout is a little different. The French table accounts for ‘call bets’, which cover markets such as ‘neighbours of zero’, ‘thirds of the wheel’ and ‘orphans.’
Call bets tend to be exclusive to French and European roulette. These are special bets you make with the dealer by calling out instead of placing chips on the grid.
As previously mentioned, the wheel in European roulette has 37 pockets and a simplistic betting grid. It tends to be one of the most common types of roulette available to play online.
Roulette Tips for Beginners
Let’s run through a few quick final roulette tips for beginners to help get you accustomed to the game.
1. Learn the terms
Although roulette can seem straightforward on the surface, always ensure you know the terminology of the game before you start, such as the different bet types – otherwise, you risk making mistakes.
2. Try European first
For some players, American roulette is considered a game for ‘experts.’ This is because the house edge tends to be higher. However, all versions of the game are completely random. If you’re just getting started, the European version tends to be the most beginner friendly.
3. Separate profits and bankroll
If possible, try to mentally split your winnings, if any, from your bankroll. That way, you won’t find that you overspend beyond your limits. Regardless, it’s always good practice to set healthy gaming limits when playing with real cash.
4. Watch others play
There’s no rush – by all means, watch how live games play out and check out where the ball lands in the roulette wheel a few times before you place bets of your own. Get accustomed to how gameplay works in practice before spending any real money.
5. Avoid playing beyond your means
Above all, you should always avoid playing beyond your means. This random game offers no guarantee of winning, so set limits and walk away when you’ve had enough.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes players make in roulette is assuming that a certain number, colour or pattern will emerge during play. It’s tempting to think that a certain number is due to appear if it has been a long time off the board – but again, roulette doesn’t work that way.
Some players also make the mistake of placing all their chips on one or two markets or spots on the grid. It’s wise to split your chips and try different bets if you’re just getting started.
Above all, set healthy spending limits – and never play beyond your set bankroll.
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