How does Roulette work? Rules, Systems & Tips

Roulette wheel game is probably the most popular and best-known casino game ever played in both real and virtual casinos. A fairly simple, clear and great winning game attracts a wide variety of casino players with both mini-banks and thousands of euros to come to the casino. In the video below, you will find a brief explanation of – how does roulette work?

How does Roulette work? – 6 min roulette guide video:

At the very least, it’s a great way to spend time playing online casino games, waiting to win a fortune and hoping for victory.

Roulette_iconHow to play Roulette game? Rules, Roulette bets & odds

Roulette rules are simple.

A croupier spins the casino roulette wheel in one direction, then spins a ball in the opposite direction. The player’s goal is to guess on which number the spinning ball will stop.

Bets on the particular number are possible and on combinations too. They are divided into internal and external ones.

1. Roulette Bets

To help you understand the Roulette bets and how much you can win, we have used some visual tools. The picture below shows various bets, and there is a detailed description of each number below the picture.

Roulette Inside bets:

  • Single number (No. 1 in the illustration)
  • Split (No. 2)
  • Street (No. 3)
  • Corner/Square (No. 4)
  • Six Line/Double Street (No. 5)

Roulette Outside bets:

  • Column bet (No. 6 in the illustration)
  • Dozen (No. 7)
  • Low/High (No. 8 and 9)
  • Red or Black (No. 10)
  • Even or Odd (No. 11 and 12)
Casino Roulette table layout and bets:
Online roulette table layout, roulette bets - roulette inside bets and roulette outside bets

2. Roulette Odds and Payout

2.1. Odds – Roulette inside bets

Single number (No. 1)

First, when you bet on a Single number (No. 1 in the illustration above), you are at significant risk, but the winning is also a significant 35:1. You can choose digits from 0 to 36 (depending on the type of casino can be 00). The odds of winning are from 1 to 38 in American type or from 1 to 37 European type.

If you have a happy number or a few of them – why not? To increase your bet 35 times is an excellent proposition.

Split (No. 2)

You are more likely to win while betting on Two numbers (No. 2). It could be 2 adjoining numbers in different rows or adjacent ones. The online casino roulette odds of winning are twice as high compared to betting on one number, which is from 2 to 38 or to 37, depending on the type.

As the odds grow, the winning is twice lower than the betting on one number. The payout in case of success is 17:1.

How do you play roulette wheel game casino roulette layout, roulette numbers

Street and Corner/Square (No. 3 and 4)

Corner/Square (No. 4) – is a bet around one corner (4 digits). A chance to win is 4 out of 38 or 37. The Payout in the event of success is 8:1. Those who want to win a little more should bet on the street (No. 3)3 numbers in one line. The Payout in time of success is 11:1, and the odds of winning are slightly higher – 3 out of 38/37.

Six Line/Double Street (No. 5)

Line (No. 5) is a bet on 6 numbers touching the selected line. There may be bets on 5 numbers as well if placed on a line at 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, and four numbers if it is European. The standard 6 number line allows you to win at 5:1 ratio and the probability of a victory is 6 out of 38/37.

2.2. Odds – Roulette Outside bets

Column bet and Dozen (No. 6 and 7)
Online casino roulette wheel roulette numbers spiral

Dozen bet (No. 7) is divided into three categories (lines): from 1 to 12, 13 to 24 and 25 to 36. The probability of winning is considerable (12 out of 38/37), in case of success 2:1 is paid. The roulette odds of winning are good, so a dozen is quite popular among gamblers.

Similarly betting on the Columns (No. 6), there are also three columns, odds of the victory and roulette payouts are the same. By betting for a particular column, you guess if the ball will stop on the number that is in the column you selected.

Low/High (No. 8 and 9)

Low/High (No. 8 and 9), is also called small and big numbers, gives you a chance to get a payout of 1:1, and the odds of winning are the same as for even or odd, only that the probable number is from 1 to 18 or from 19 to 36.

Red or Black and Even or Odd (No. 10, 11 and 12)

Red or Black (No. 10) or Even or Odd (No. 11 and 12) give a lot more chances to win, but the wins are also far lower. The odds of winning are 18 out of 38 if you play American type or 18 out of 37 if you play the European, which is almost half, but the payout is only 1:1 (you will get the double size of your bet amount).

This type of betting suites various winning systems or to play without the risk.

Roulette_iconRoulette Payouts – 3 min. video

Roulette_iconRoulette types – European, American & French

As you know, there are different types of Roulette game such as American, European, French, and all of these are table games.
Table games are perfect for those who like to play not individually but in a group. Many people can participate in the game, so it is a great game to play with your friends or get acquainted with other players.

French and European Roulette

There is only one zero in the European roulette online type, so it is more attractive for players to play.

European roulette table layout and French roulette layout – comparison:
Casino Roulette types - European roulette and French roulette table layout comparison

The French online roulette is forgotten. Its table layout differs, as in the European one. There is one zero only. During the game, there is a kind of guarantor for an unlucky bet, when half of the amount is returned to zero. It’s attractive for players, but it reduces the profitability of the casino.

So, it’s best to look for a French type in an online casino. If you do not find it then choose a European one, every bigger online casino offers it.

American Roulette

American type is almost the same as the European one, but here are two zeros: single and double.

So the casino always has a double edge against you.

Casino Roulette wheel layout

American roulette wheel and European roulette wheel:

Casino Roulette types a roulette wheel - american roulette wheel numbers layout two zeros
Casino Roulette types the roulette wheel - european roulette wheel numbers layout one zero
TOP Questions about a Roulette wheel game online
♦ What is Online Roulette?

Online roulette is a version of roulette that broadcasts directly to the live crowds. Everything is the same as real-life casino roulette, except the game uses an algorithm. In some games, you can even chat with the crowd and/or other players.

♦ What is the House Edge on Roulette?

On average, the house edge is 5.26%.

♦ What is an “Inside” Bet?
  • An inside bet includes a single number, split, street, corner/square, and line/double street.
  • Placing a bet on a single number is risky, but the winning ratio is 35:1.
  • When you’re betting on two numbers (split) gives you a chance of winning that is twice as high as a single number bet.
  • A Corner/Square is a bet around four numbers, and it’s 8:1 odds, so if you wager $10 and win, you’ll win $80.
  • If you want to win more, place your wager on three numbers in a line, or a street. The payout time is 11:1, and you have a 3 out of 38 chance of winning.
  • When you are line betting, you’re placing a bet on six numbers touching on a single line, meaning you win at a 5:1 ratio.
♦ What is an “Outside Proposition” Bet?
  • A dozen bet divides into three categories: 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. Payout success is 2:1.
  • Betting on the columns means you are wagering on one of the three columns, the payout and roulette probability of winning is the same as a dozen.
  • Low/high means you think the number will be between 1 to 18 or 19 to 36. You got a 50/50 shot at winning, but the payout is 1:1.
  • Betting on a color or even or odd gives you more chances to win, but actual wins also happen less. Your odds of winning are 18 out of 38, almost half, but the payout is 1:1.
♦ How Does Online Roulette Generate Numbers?

It uses a random number generator (RNG), online slot games also use an RNG.

Roulette_iconRoulette strategies

Like any other gambling game, you can have a unique best roulette strategy to win. Which depends on your willingness to win and the choice to take more risks or protect your money.

Some people create their strategies, combine various established theories and search for an ideal option. Others take advantage of the most popular ones and do not bother.

We immediately announce that there is no winning roulette system – any roulette strategy cannot guarantee 100% victory.

Best Roulette strategie wanted winning roulette system roulette win

Some are riskier than the others. The higher the risk, the higher the possible achievement. It is not obligatory to choose a strategy. You can play using intuition, especially if you come to the casino to have a good time and not necessarily win.

Roulette win strategies

Very often the Fibonacci sequence, Labouchere, Martingale roulette systems are offered.

And many people believe in fortune and pick one single number on which they bet many times in a row. However, methods are more often used not for big betting bets, but for payout combinations 1:1 or 2:1.

1. Fibonacci sequence

Fibonacci sequence is a sequence of numbers, each of which is equal to the sum of the two numbers preceding it. These are not the numbers you need to bet on, but it’s the amount of your bet.

First, stack randomly as much as you want, and in the third bet put the first two. When you lose, place the last two bets and when you win, return with two bets and bet again.

2. Labouchere system

Labouchere sequencing system is a little more confusing. Here bets are made by selecting a random sequence and summing the first and the last number in that sequence.

How does roulette work best roulette strategy professional tool to beat online roulette systems
“Roulette Professional” – a professional tool to beat the roulette wheel game

So, first, create a random number line of at least 5 numbers, for example, 3-6-1-2-4. Your first bet will be 3+4=7. If you lose, add the last bet to the current sequence, in this case 7, and your new sequence will look like this: 3-6-1-2-4-7. Now put 10, because 3+7=10. In the event of winning, roll out the first and last numbers (3 and 7), continue to bet on the sum of the new first and last numbers (6+4=10).

Repeat it over and over every time. The probability of making a profit with this sequence is quite high, but bets are often risky and quite large.

3. Martingale roulette system

Martingale system does not have the same level of popularity in the list. Whenever losing, double the lost bet. When you win, you start over.

Martingale roulette guide winning roulette system roulette rules live casino dealer woman

This martingale strategy is advertised by many fans of guaranteed earnings, as it is almost impossible to lose. Especially if you choose a bet on nearly 50% of the probability boxes.

The biggest minus is the possible ceiling that practically all casinos have to offer. If you do not succeed many times in a row, you can break into the limit for the maximum stack, and you will inevitably lose, but the probability is tiny. Besides, the winnings are not very large, and the amounts that are under construction can be substantial.

Roulette_iconLive Roulette wheel game

You get the same satisfaction when playing at a gambling house or while sitting at home or on a trip with an internet-connected device that supports the online casino page.

Playing Roulette online is so popular that millions of gambling fans around the world are playing it at the same time. The game stays the same, only location is different.

Online Roulette tips how to play roulette online live casino croupier ar the table

Modern technology allows you to enjoy the online Roullete just like playing in real gambling houses.

Cameras broadcast directly to the crowd, and live gaming becomes possible. The dealer throws the ball into the real roulette casino wheel. And the wheel spins for real, rather than using a virtual random algorithm.

It feels as if you are in a real casino, you do not need to put your foot outside your house. Besides, many roulette online with real money casinos allow you to communicate/chat with the dealer or other players. Isn’t that great?

Enjoy playing Roulette at our recommended online casinos:

Roulette_iconHow to play Roulette Online and how to choose a casino to play the game?

Roulette game tips:

  • Always play European or French types, avoid American. Extra 00 reduces your winnings and increases the advantage for the casino.
  • Always set a limit, how much you can lose or how many hours you can play today as maximum.

Check casinos for additional features and bonuses. Be sure to use the registration and first-deposit bonuses. That way you will increase your capital right away. Be sure to take advantage of all the bonuses you are given by the casino, such as additional spins in slots. If you hit the luck, you can increase your winnings several times.

By the way, before registering to an online casino, pay attention to the abundance of games.

Another essential criterion is the way to deposit and withdraw money. Check casinos for deposit and withdraw money options to avoid problems in the future. The more there is, the more convenient it is for you. The money movement is significant.

By the way, you can always check online casinos and their reliability in our list of the best online casinos.

Zigmas Pekarskas

Written by:

Casino card games and poker expert

Founder and CEO of SmartCasinoGuide.com also well known poker professional player, with more then 15 years of playing poker and other card games. 10 years of writing articles, doing reviews of poker rooms and teaching other poker players how to improve their game.