The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games ever created. A spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and a grid of betting options — the rules are intuitive, yet the game offers surprising depth. Understanding the rules fully, including the differences between game variants, is the first step to playing with confidence.
The dealer (called the croupier) spins the wheel in one direction and rolls the ball in the opposite direction around the rim. The ball eventually lands in one of the numbered pockets, determining the winning number.
The Roulette Wheel: Numbers and Layout
The wheel contains numbered pockets from 0 to 36 (European/French) or 0 and 00 to 36 (American). Numbers are colored alternately in red and black, while the zero(s) are green.
| Variant | Total Pockets | Zero Slots | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | 37 | Single (0) | ~2.7% |
| American Roulette | 38 | Double (0 and 00) | ~5.26% |
| French Roulette | 37 | Single (0) | ~1.35% on even-money bets |
Inside Bets: Betting on Specific Numbers
Inside bets are placed on the numbered section of the betting grid. They offer higher payouts but lower probability of winning.
- Straight Up — Bet on a single number. Pays 35:1.
- Split — Bet on two adjacent numbers. Pays 17:1.
- Street — Bet on a row of three numbers. Pays 11:1.
- Corner (Square) — Bet on four numbers forming a square. Pays 8:1.
- Six Line — Bet on two adjacent rows of three numbers. Pays 5:1.
- Trio — Bet on 0, 1, 2 or 0, 2, 3 (European). Pays 11:1.
Outside Bets: Broader Coverage
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers, providing better odds of winning at lower payouts.
- Red/Black — 18 numbers each. Pays 1:1.
- Odd/Even — 18 numbers each. Pays 1:1.
- High/Low — 1–18 or 19–36. Pays 1:1.
- Dozens — 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. Pays 2:1.
- Columns — One of three vertical columns on the grid. Pays 2:1.
Important: The 0 (and 00 in American) is not covered by any outside bet. When the ball lands on zero, all outside bets lose.
The La Partage and En Prison Rules (French Roulette)
French Roulette includes two special rules that significantly benefit players on even-money bets:
- La Partage — If the ball lands on 0, players who made even-money bets receive half their wager back immediately.
- En Prison — Instead of surrendering half, players may "imprison" their bet for one more spin. If it wins, the full original bet is returned (no profit). If it loses, the bet is gone.
Both rules effectively cut the house edge on even-money bets from 2.7% to approximately 1.35%, making French Roulette the most player-favorable version of the game.
The Flow of a Roulette Round
- The croupier opens betting by calling "place your bets."
- Players place chips on their chosen positions on the grid.
- The croupier spins the wheel and releases the ball.
- As the ball slows, the croupier calls "no more bets."
- The ball lands; the croupier announces the winning number and marks it.
- Losing bets are collected; winning bets are paid out.
- The marker is removed and a new round begins.
Choosing the Right Version to Play
If you have a choice, always prefer European or French Roulette over American Roulette. The extra 00 pocket in the American version nearly doubles the house edge without offering any additional benefit to players. French Roulette with La Partage is the gold standard for even-money bettors.