Learn How to Play Roulette in 5 Minutes

Understanding How Roulette Works

The roulette wheel features red and black slots, each of which contains a number 1 – 36 or a zero slot which is green and has a 0 or 00. Depending on whether you’re playing, this can be an American double-zero roulette or European single zero roulette.

Next to the wheel is the playing table which features the numbers and outside odds that you can bet on. You purchase chips to bet with that have different values. The dealer announces for everyone to place their bets, then spins the ball. Whichever number the ball lands on, the dealer places a marker on top and takes away the losing chips.

Any bets that have won, get paid out by the dealer. Winnings are calculated according to the odds for where the chip sits. Types of bets and payout odds are explained below.

Simple Roulette Rules

• Place your bets before the ball stops dropping
• Do not place anymore bets after the dealer calls ‘’no more bets’’
• Only the dealer touches the winning chips and clears away losing chips
• Do not touch the marker or any chips on the winning number
• Do not put any extra chips onto the winning number until the marker is lifted away

Type of Roulette Bets Explained

The game of roulette allows players to bet on a single number or a group of numbers. Each betting combination pays you out different odds depending on the calculated chance of that bet winning. For example – a winning number straight up pays more than betting across four numbers.

The type of roulette bets vary, depending on where you are playing. The inside bets and outside bets are generally the same in all roulette games, but racetrack bets are usually seen in European variants.

Roulette Inside Bets

Inside bets are the bets you place on the numbers themselves 0 – 36. These bets are paid out at different odds, according to the amount of numbers they cover. The seven types of inside bet include:

1. Straight up. This is a bet on a single number and pays 35 – 1
2. A split covers two adjoining numbers horizontal or vertical and pays 17 - 1
3. A street covers three numbers like 1, 2, 3 or 28, 29, 30 for example and pays 11 to 1
4. Six line. The six-line bet covers any six numbers in adjacent rows eg; 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33
5. This is a bet covering four adjoining numbers in a block like 14, 15, 17, 18 for example
6. A three number bet including the 0 or 00 like 0, 1, 2 or 00, 2 and 3
7. In European roulette this bet covers 0, 1, 2 and 3. The basket bet in American roulette includes the 00

Roulette Outside Bets

The outsides are a popular type of roulette bet. They cover more numbers with each bet, so there’s an increased chance of winning. The two zeros on American roulette give the house an increased edge. European roulette using only one zero, has the ‘’in prison’’ rule which basically means when zero wins, outside bets don’t lose but stay there for another spin. The five types of outside bet include:

1. Red or black. Each of these covers 18 numbers and pays 1 to 1
2. Even or odd. Each bet covers 18 numbers and pays 1 to 1
3. 1 to 18 or 19 – 36. A bet on low or high covers 18 numbers and pays 1 to 1
4. Bet on the first dozen, second dozen or third dozen and receive a 2 to 1 payout for a win
5. Column bets cover 12 numbers each and pay 2 to 1

Roulette Racetrack Bets (Announced Bets)

Racetrack bets are usually seen in French roulette and various forms of European roulette. This explains why all the bets have French names. The racetrack is a condensed picture of the wheel, which is marked on the table felt in front of the dealer.

To place a racetrack bet, you must throw your chips over to the dealer announcing the bet you’d like. Commonly, a larger denomination chip is thrown and the dealer will split the chips and place the bet on the relevant numbers on the racetrack.

After the ball has dropped, any losing racetrack bets are cleared away leaving the winners. Common racetrack bets include:

Voisins Du Zero

This bet covers the zero and seven numbers on either side. This means the bet covers 15 numbers and requires nine chips. Numbers covered in the bet:

• Two chips on 0, 2, 3 trio
• One chip each on five splits 4/7, 12/15, 18/21, 19/22 and 32/35
• Two chips on the corner of 25/26/28/29

Tiers Du Cylindre

The tier bet covers the numbers opposite the voisin du zero bet and incorporates 12 numbers. The name in French actually translates to ‘one third of the wheel’ which is what it covers. The bet needs six chips and covers the following splits:

• One chip each on 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30 and 33/36

Orphelins

This bet is a four chip bet covering eight numbers. You are basically covering two sections of the wheel, not covered by tier and voisins du zero. These include:

• One chip on number 1
• One chip each on four splits 6/9, 14/17, 17/20 and 31/34

Neighbour Bets

Neighbour bets cover one number and two neighbouring numbers either side. This makes it a five-piece bet in total. An example would be ‘1 and the neighbours’ covers 1, 14, 20, 33 and 16. To place a neighbor bet, throw your chips over to the dealer, announcing which neighbor bet you’d like and by how much.

Popular Roulette Strategies to Try Out

While the casino does have an edge, if you stick to a smart strategy, it is possible to increase your chances of winning. Here are two popular roulette strategies to try out:

The Martingale System

This is one of the best known progressive roulette strategies. It’s an extremely simple way to bet where you double your bet after every loss, so after a win you get your money back. From then on, you start with your initial amount. While it is logical, it does come with risks, requiring you to bet big to win small.

D’Alembert System

This is a popular low risk betting system similar to the Martingale system. The only difference is that the bet progression is less aggressive, making it a safer strategy. Betting is solely on the even money bets, black/red, odd/even and low/high. To begin, start betting one chip and if it loses you add one chip to the bet and take a chip away after a win.

Final Thoughts on How to Play Roulette

Now you know all the basic roulette rules and popular betting strategies. Whether you play roulette online or in a casino, it’s best to choose one betting system at a time and stick to it. Always start with a low bet you are comfortable with, consider the amount you’re happy spending and always stay within your limits.