Master Roulette Rules & Odds
The best way to master the game of roulette is to learn how to master the rules of roulette. Roulette table odds are also going to improve your chances of winning if you understand how to go about them. In this guide, you’re going to find it all.
The Objective
Okay, so the whole point of playing roulette is to bet on the number, colour, or group of numbers the ball will land on. The players bet on whatever they believe the outcome will be, and the dealer, otherwise known as the croupier, will drop the ball on the wheel, and the rest will wait until the ball stops.
Basically, you need to amalgamate your favourite strategies with the best bets!
Important terms you need to know
Before you dive into the game, we thought it would be better to give you a list of important terms you need to know when you dive into the roulette gaming rules.
- Pockets — These are the numbered spaces on the roulette wheel where the ball lands.
- Zero — This is the ‘0’ numbered pocket that can be found on any roulette wheel.
- Double Zero — A double zero ‘00’ numbered pocket that can only be found on an American roulette wheel.
- Layout — This refers to how the numbers on the wheel are arranged. This may differ from variant to variant.
- Carr — The French word for a corner bet.
- Action — The total bet amount in a game.
Roulette bets
When it comes to bets in roulette, there are three main types you’ll come across in your rounds: Inside Bets, Outside Bets and Call Bets. Whether you prefer more high-risk bets or conservative bets, we’re here to help you determine that for yourself. If you want to get into it a little deeper, we recommend checking our Roulette Strategies guide for a little more detail.
Inside Bets
As the name suggests, Inside Bets are bets that you can make on the inner section of the roulette wheel. These bets have a higher payout, but they also have a lower chance of winning, making them high-risk bets. With that said players with a larger bankroll may be better suited for these types of bets.
1. Straight Up
The straight up bet is perhaps one of the most popular bets simply because it’s very straightforward. All you do is bet on one single number on the wheel. You do this by placing your chip on the number you want to bet on. The payout for this one is 35:1.
2. Split
In this bet, you bet on two numbers using one chip, hence the name Split. You should try this bet in European Roulette or American Roulette. The payout for both of these is 18.5:1 and 19:1, respectively.
3. Street / Row
The word ‘Street’ refers to a row of three numbers. If you were to bet using Street/Row, you would bet on some of the following examples: 10/11/12, 19/20/21, 34/35/36. What you need to do is place your chip at the end of your selected street/row.
4. Trio
We have another 3-number bet for you. What’s special about this one is that the numbers have to include a zero or a double zero, like in American Roulette. This type of bet has a payout of 11:1.
5. Corner / Quad
In this one, you place your chip at the corner of your chosen four numbers or in the middle of them if you’ve chosen a square pattern. If you’re playing French Roulette, this bet can also be referred to as Carré. If you end up winning using this bet, the payout is 8:1.
6. Double Street
When betting using the Double Street bet, you’d be betting on two rows facing each other. Therefore you’d be betting on six numbers, meaning you’re covering more ground.
7. Basket / First Five
The basket bet is only available in American Roulette. It’s a bet that involves you betting on 5 numbers, and it has to include a zero, double zero, and three of the top-line numbers on your wheel, which include
Outside Bets
When it comes to Outside Bets, players can bet on a larger amount of numbers simply because they focus on the outer section of the table. Outside bets are known to have lower payouts, but the awesome thing about them is that they give you a higher chance of winning your game. So if you’re new to roulette or still learning the ropes, try the following bets out.
1. Even / Odd
This type of bet involves all of the even numbers or the odd numbers on your wheel. The payout for this one is 1:1, which is what makes it so attractive to players. Remember that zero and double zero pockets are not included in this bet.
2. Red or Black
Betting using the Red or Black bet gives you roughly a 50/50 chance of winning. This is another popular bet because of its simplicity.
3. Column
A column bet covers the 12 numbers in a column on your table. This means that it almost covers about a third of the roulette wheel. The payout for this one is 2:1.
4. Dozens
Using this bet, you can bet on a dozen numbers with every spin. There is a payout of 2:1, and the bet can be used three times in a row.
Announced/Call Bets
Announced bets or otherwise known as call bets, are bets where the players have to physically place the bet on the table for the wager to be covered. The bets tend to be found on high-roller tables, so if you’re interested in playing a high-stakes game, these are your bets.
Final Bet
This bet refers to the final number of every single pocket on the wheel. If you bet a final 5, this means you’re betting on numbers like 5,15, 25 and 35.
Full Complete/Complete/Maximum Bet
When we tell you this is a maximum bet, we mean it. This bet covers ALL of the inside bets on your wheel. The risk is way bigger than any other bet, but the reward is out of this world.
The odds and payouts
We’ve already mentioned some of the odds and payouts that are attached to roulette bets, but we think it’s best to explore them a little more. The odds and payouts vary from variant to variant, so here’s what you need to know.
| Roulette Bet Type | Example Roulette Bet | Potential Payout | European Roulette Odds | American Roulette Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Column | Any number in the third column | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.6% |
| Dozen | Any of the 13 to 24 | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.6% |
| Even bets | Black over red | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.4% |
| Single number | 7 | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.60% |
| Two numbers | Either 18 or 19 | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Three numbers | Any of the 28,29, or 30 | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Four numbers | Any of 5,6, 8 or 9 | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Five numbers | Any of 0,00, 1,2, or 3 | 6:1 | 13.5% | 13.2% |
| Six numbers | Any of 4 to 9 | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
Roulette Rules Variations
With every roulette game, you’ll come across different variations to the rules of the game. Here are some common changes to the rules.
European & American Roulette Rules
European roulette has a wheel with 37 number pockets, while American roulette has 38 number pockets. The extra number is the double zero ‘00’. The double zero can give you a leg up in certain situations and bets.
‘En Prison’ Rule
If your bet is even odd bet, you can use the En Prison Rule to recover your stakes after getting a zero on the wheel.
‘La Partage’ Rule
In this one, the player loses half of their stake when there’s an even bet.
How to play roulette online – Breakdown of a round
Here’s the blow by blow on how to play a round of roulette.
1. Fund your Balance
The first thing you need to do is check if you have enough money in your account. To do this, you need to go to the ‘Cashier’ section of your account and check your balance. If you need to add more, input the amount of money you’d like to add. To learn more about your balance and what methods you can use, check out our Payments Methods page.
2. The decision time: Place your bet
This is where the bets we talked about, begin to matter. If you’re new to the game, try betting using outside bets first and then work your way up when you get more experience. Never bet more than you can afford, and always play responsibly.
3. The Croupier will now spin the wheel
The action continues when the croupier will spin the roulette wheel and throw in a ball that’ll determine the outcome of your game.
4. Results and Payouts
Here’s where you get your outcome. If the ball lands on the numbered pocket you bet on, you win the round. If it doesn’t, then you lose and you need try again in the next round. Remember that if things go your way, the payout all depends on the bet you made.
Keep on Mastering the game
Understanding the rules, bets, odds, and payouts of Roulette is essential for a satisfying and informed gaming experience. This guide will help you take the next steps to hone your Roulette skills. Use it as a valuable resource when you’re learning all about roulette table odds, roulette payouts and more.
Before we leave you, remember to play responsibly and adhere to your budget; make your bankroll last longer and be safe.
Until next time!
Frequently Asked Questions
