Roulette Basics
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Roulette Basics: Bets, Payouts and Wheel Types

A practical guide to the layout, zero rules and the cost of each bet

Roulette is a game of chance. You place chips on a number or group of numbers, and the pocket where the ball stops determines the result. Learning the layout helps you understand a bet; it does not let you predict the next spin.

At a glance

  • A standard European wheel has 37 pockets: 1–36 and a single zero.
  • A standard American wheel has 38 pockets, including 0 and 00.
  • A straight-up bet covers one number; a split covers two.
  • Check the game’s paytable. Multiplier variants can use different payouts.
  • Betting systems do not remove the house edge.

How a round works

  1. Read the rules, minimum stake and maximum bet for the table.
  2. Select a chip value and place chips on the layout during the betting period.
  3. Check your total stake, including any chips placed on several positions.
  4. Betting closes before the result is settled. A live dealer or the game interface indicates when further bets are no longer accepted.
  5. The winning pocket determines which bets are paid. Losing wagers are collected before the next round.

Online roulette may use a live dealer and physical wheel or a computer-generated result. The interface differs, but you still need to check the rules of the specific game.

Inside and outside bets

Inside bets sit on the numbered section of the layout. They cover fewer outcomes and usually pay more when successful. Outside bets cover larger groups, such as red numbers or a dozen. A higher chance of winning a particular spin does not mean a bet is profitable over time.

Bet Numbers covered Standard profit payout
Straight up 1 35:1
Split 2 adjacent numbers 17:1
Street 3 numbers in a row 11:1
Corner 4 numbers in a block 8:1
Six line 6 numbers across two rows 5:1
Dozen or column 12 2:1
Red/black, odd/even or low/high 18 1:1

Payouts above describe traditional roulette. A 35:1 win means 35 units of profit plus the original winning stake back. For example, a winning $1 straight-up bet returns $36 in total. Special games may reduce base payouts or add separate features, so always read their own paytable.

European, American and French roulette

European: one zero

With standard payouts and no special zero rule, the house edge is approximately 2.70%. The zero is neither red nor black and is excluded from the usual odd/even and low/high bets.

American: zero and double zero

The extra pocket changes the odds. Standard bets generally have a house edge of approximately 5.26%. The five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 is an exception: its 6:1 payout produces a higher edge of approximately 7.89%.

French rules: check the treatment of zero

Some single-zero games offer la partage. When zero lands, half of an eligible even-money stake is returned. That reduces the house edge on those bets to approximately 1.35%. Do not assume every French-labelled table applies this rule, or that it applies to inside bets.

Can a betting system improve the odds?

Changing your stake after a win or loss does not change the probabilities of an independent spin. Doubling after losses can increase stakes quickly and run into table limits or exhaust your budget. Previous reds, blacks or numbers do not make an outcome “due”.

House edge describes a long-run mathematical average, not the amount you will lose in a session. Short sessions can vary widely. Set spending and time limits before playing, and stop when you reach them.

Mini, multi-wheel and multiplier games

These formats require their own rule checks. Mini roulette has a smaller wheel and its payouts determine the edge. Multi-wheel play can place several wagers in one round, increasing the total amount at risk. Multiplier games can change base payouts, so a familiar-looking wheel does not guarantee standard roulette returns.

Related casino reviews

The existing review links below are retained for reference. They are not a current ranking of roulette tables. Read each review’s status and country restrictions; closed, suspended and blacklisted entries are historical references.

Only gamble if you meet the legal age where you live. Roulette should be paid entertainment, not a way to earn income or recover previous losses.

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