Table of Contents
- The Basics of Roulette
- The Bets and the Roulette Table Explained
- Roulette Rules
- Number Layout on the Wheel vs on the Table
- Roulette House Edge
- Roulette Additional Rules and Features
- Frequently Asked Questions about How To Play Roulette
Here at BetVictor, we have a variety of other online resources that can help players with roulette rules and other areas of the game. BetVictor also have an extensive catalogue of the best online roulette variations, including Live Roulette as well as unique variations such as Mega Fire Blaze Roulette and Lightning Roulette, to name just a few!
The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is a classic casino game that has been around for centuries. It’s named after the French word meaning ‘little wheel’, and if you’ve ever seen a Roulette wheel, you’ll understand why.
The Objectives of Roulette
As for the goal of Roulette, it’s essentially for players to predict where the ball will land. Once all bets have been placed, the dealer or croupier will spin the wheel in one direction, and a ball in the other. After a while, they will both slow down and the ball will nestle into one of the pockets. This number associated with the pocket will be the winner of the round!
The Bets and the Roulette Table Explained
Now, in our Roulette how to guide, it’s time to look at the potential bets. Some have higher odds than others, with the probability also changing across the board. Here’s a quick look at the different types of roulette bets that a player can place:
Straight Bet
This involves laying chips on a single number. It offers the highest payout in Roulette, with winning bets being awarded at the rate of 35 to 1.
Split Bet
Betting on two numbers by placing chips on the line separating those two numbers.
Street Bet
Placing chips on a row of three numbers by placing your bets at the end of a row.
Corner Bet
Betting on four numbers that meet at one corner of the board.
Line Bet
Laying a stake on two lines or a total of six numbers.
Dozen Bet
This bet covers four different dozens: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.
Column Bet
Betting on 12 numbers in a vertical line on the Roulette board.
Red or Black
This bet covers a total of 18 numbers. This bet includes red or black.
Odd or Even
This bet covers a total of 18 numbers. These bets includes odd or even.
High or Low
This bet covers a total of 18 numbers. These bets includes high or low
Snake Bet
Betting on the numbers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34, which form a pattern resembling a snake on the Roulette table.
Five-number Bet
This betting type is exclusive to American Roulette. You bet on five numbers at once: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
The Roulette table may seem complex at first, but it’s actually quite simple. The table is split into two parts: the wheel and the betting area. The wheel has 37 or 38 numbered slots (depending on whether you’re playing European or American Roulette), each coloured red, black, or green. The betting area, meanwhile, reflects these numbers and colours.
Roulette Rules
When and how do I place my bet?
In roulette, bets can be placed before the dealer spins the wheel and can continue to be placed until the dealer announces no more bets. You can place your chips on inside bets, such as a straight up number, or on outside bets, like red or black. All bets must be placed on the felt within the allocated time period, so knowing the roulette layout is highly recommended.
What happens if I lose?
Roulette is a game of chance, and losing bets are a part of the game. If the ball doesn’t land on your number or colour, the dealer will take the chips, meaning the house wins.
What happens if I win?
If luck is on your side and you win, the payout depends on the type of roulette bet you placed. If you bet on a single number and win, you will be awarded at the rate of 35 to 1. Successful even money bets on the other hand, such as red or black and high or low will double the initial wager.
When should I stop betting?
Knowing when to stop betting is just as crucial in roulette as knowing how to play. It’s essential to set limits before you start playing and stick to them. If you’ve reached your winnings or losses limit, it’s time to step away from the table.
Here at BetVictor, we have a variety of safer gambling tools to help players stay in control at all times. These include timeouts, deposit limits, and much more!
Number Layout on the Wheel vs on the Table
You’ve probably noticed that both European and American roulette wheels don’t follow a numerical sequence. It’s not 1-2-3 on the wheel, is it? No, the numbers are placed randomly. This randomness is a key part of the game’s design, making it all the more exciting for those who know how to play roulette.
But what about the table? That’s a different story. On the roulette table, the numbers are laid out in a neat and orderly sequence, from 0 to 36. The first thing you’ll notice when learning roulette how to play is that the table layout is much more straightforward than the wheel.
You might wonder why this difference exists. The reason is quite simple – it’s all about balance. By placing the numbers randomly on the wheel, the game ensures that high and low, and red and black are evenly distributed. It’s an essential part of the roulette rules.
On the table, however, the sequence layout is more user-friendly for players, making betting more straightforward. So when you’re learning how to play roulette strategy, remember that the table is your friend!
Roulette House Edge
First things first, let’s tackle the big question: What is the house edge of Roulette? Simply put, the house edge is the advantage that the casino has over the players. There are two main types of Roulette versions, American and European. American Roulette has two zero pockets, while European Roulette has just one. While this might seem insignificant, it can greatly influence the house edge:
| Type of Roulette Variation | House Edge |
| American Roulette | 5.26% |
| European Roulette | 2.70% |
Of course, there are other unique variations of the game, such as Quantum Roulette x1000 and Xtreme Lightning Roulette, which all have their own house edge. This can usually be found in the rules.
Roulette Additional Rules and Features
To wrap up this article, let’s take a look at some unique rules that players may encounter when placing roulette bets at land-based casinos or online!
La Partage
‘La Partage’ means that if a player places an even money bet and the ball lands on zero, half of their initial stake will be returned.
En Prison
The ‘En Prison’ rule means that if you’ve made an even bet and the ball hits zero, your bet is “imprisoned.” On the next spin, if your bet wins, you’ll get your whole wager back. Both this rule and ‘La Partage’ are most commonly found on French roulette tables.
Surrender
This one’s quite similar to La Partage, but it’s predominantly found in American roulette. Again, if you’ve made an even bet and the ball lands in the zero or double zero pockets, you’ll only lose half of your bet.
How to Play Roulette FAQ
The house edge of Roulette is either 2.70% or 5.26%, depending on whether you’re playing on a European or American table.
Yes, you can play Roulette online with BetVictor. We have a variety of games to choose from. However, players need to always bet responsibly and should know how to play Roulette at casino tables before starting. It’s also important to read the rules of each specific game before wagering, looking at potential payouts, alongside minimum and maximum bets.
Yes, there are some Roulette strategies such as Martingale, James Bond, and the Fibonacci. With that being said, players should ensure that they know how to play roulette strategy variations well before betting.
European Roulette is by far the most played variation around the world. This is perhaps due to the house edge being less than American alternatives.
