An Overview of Roulettes
Roulette is a casino table game that uses a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball. Players place bets on where the ball will land when the wheel stops. You can wager on single numbers, groups of numbers, colours, or whether the result will be odd or even.
The game started in France in the 18th century and quickly spread to other parts of Europe. When roulette reached the United States in the 19th century, casinos introduced a double zero pocket to raise the house edge. This American style became common in North America and parts of the Caribbean, while European and French versions stayed widespread elsewhere.
Today, roulette is one of the most recognised real money games, available in land-based casinos and online platforms worldwide.
How Do Roulettes Work?
To start, you need to choose a roulette version that suits your preference. European roulette uses a single zero with 37 slots, with numbers from 0 to 36, and offers slightly better odds. American roulette has both a single and a double zero, which increases the slots to 38 and raises the house edge.
French roulette adds special rules that can improve returns on certain bets.
- La Partage: If the ball lands on zero, you lose only half your bet instead of the full amount. The casino keeps the other half.
- En Prison: If zero comes up, your even-money bet isn’t settled immediately. Instead, it stays “in prison” for the next spin. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get it back with no profit. If it loses again, you lose the full amount.
After selecting a table, place your wagers by clicking on the betting layout. Every bet falls into two categories. Inside bets cover specific numbers or small clusters and pay more when they hit, though they are harder to land. Outside bets include larger sections of the table, such as red or black, odd or even, or ranges of numbers. These options win more often but have lower payouts. Set your wager amount within the table’s limits and start the round by clicking spin or letting the live dealer spin the wheel. Most online platforms also include options like quick spin, autoplay, and re-bet to make placing bets faster and easier.
Bets and Payouts
The tables list the main types of roulette bets, explain what each one covers on the betting layout, and show the payout you receive if your bet wins. Knowing these options can help you choose between wagers that pay more but hit less often and bets that win more regularly with smaller returns.
Inside Bets Types | Bet Description | Payout |
Straight Up | Single number | 35:1 |
Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 |
Corner | Four numbers in a square | 8:1 |
Line | Six numbers across two rows | 5:1 |
Roulette payouts show how much you win compared to the amount you bet. The payout ratios, like 35:1 or 2:1, indicate how many units you receive for every single unit wagered, plus your original bet returned to you. This format makes it easy to calculate potential winnings before placing a bet. For example:
- 35:1 payout: If you bet €1 on a single number and win, you receive €35 in winnings plus your €1 back, for a total of €36.
- 2:1 payout: A €10 bet on a column or dozen pays €20 in winnings plus the original €10, totaling €30.
- 1:1 payout: A €50 bet on red or black pays €50 in winnings plus your €50 back, giving you €100 altogether.
Inside bets have higher payouts because they cover fewer numbers, which makes them harder to hit. These bets can bring larger rewards but come with lower chances of success. Outside bets cover larger sections of the wheel and offer better odds of winning, but the payouts are smaller. This combination of risk and reward is what makes roulette popular among players with different playing styles.
Outside Bets Types | Bet Description | Payout |
Column | One of the three vertical columns | 2:1 |
Dozen | 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36 | 2:1 |
Red/Black | Bet on the color | 1:1 |
Odd/Even | Bet on odd or even numbers | 1:1 |
Low/High | 1–18 or 19–36 | 1:1 |