Roulette is an iconic casino game, casino instantly recognizable by its spinning wheel and the small white ball that determines players' fortunes. As a game of pure probability, casino roulette is easy to learn and offers a unique kind of excitement.
How the Game Works
At its heart is a large wheel sectioned into pockets, each with a unique number. You will encounter two main types of roulette wheels:
European Roulette: This wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 1-36 (alternating between red and black) and a single green "0" pocket. Due to the single zero, the house advantage is a favorable 2.7%. Double-Zero Roulette: The American wheel adds a second green pocket, the "00", bringing the total to 38 slots. Players face worse odds in this version because of the "00".
The aim of the game is simply to bet on the winning number.
Understanding the Betting Options
All roulette wagers fall into one of two main classifications.
Inside Bets
These are bets placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the inside of the betting layout. They have higher payouts but lower odds of winning.
Straight Up: A bet on a single number. Payout is 35 to 1. Split: Betting on the line between two numbers. Street: A bet on a row of three numbers. Payout is 11 to 1. Corner: A bet on a group of four numbers. Payout is 8 to 1.
Outside Bets
These are bets placed on broader categories of results on the outside of the layout. They have lower payouts but a much higher chance of winning.
Red/Black: A simple color bet that pays even money. Odd/Even: A bet on whether the number will be odd or even. Payout is 1 to 1. High/Low: A wager on a high or low number that pays 1:1. Dozens/Columns: Betting on a group of 12 numbers.
Is There a Winning Roulette Strategy?
It is impossible to beat roulette consistently because every spin is random and the house edge is fixed. Betting strategies like the Martingale system do not work and are dangerous for your bankroll. The only effective strategy is good bankroll management and choosing the game variant with the lowest house edge.