Roulette rules: All important roulette rules & gameplay tips explained

If you’re new to roulette, you might find it difficult to understand the roulette rules at first glance. It can really be overwhelming trying to understand the different betting options, spinning the wheel, and the overall game mechanics.

But don’t worry, as this guide will walk you through the rules of the game in a way that’s quite easy to understand. Everything you need to know is covered, including how to play, table layout and various roulette betting options. There are some strategies you can try too, helping to further your knowledge of this traditional casino game.

Introduction to Roulette

The word “roulette” originated from the French language and means “little wheel.” It is a popular classic table game that is found on so many online casinos in the UK and in other parts of the world. During gameplay, players bet on where a small ball will land after being spun around by a rotating wheel.

The game comes in different variations, notably American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette. While they share some similarities, these three variations have slight differences from each other when it comes to game rules, layout, and house edge.

Top 3 Roulette Variants

There are so many roulette variations available at online casinos, all sharing some of the roulette rules explained in the various sections of this guide. However, some of the notable variants are American Roulette, French Roulette, and European Roulette.

American Roulette

This version is very popular in the US and other parts of the world, and features both  single and double zeros on the wheel. This means that the wheel has 38 pockets in total, which, to some extent, reduces your chances of winning compared to European and French Roulette. While this variant offers the same inside and outside betting options, keep in mind that the odds aren’t as favourable as the other two options.

European Roulette

Unlike its American version, European Roulette features only one zero, giving it a total of 37 numbers on the wheel. This simple difference significantly improves your odds, reducing the house edge to 2.70%. It’s arguably the most played version of roulette in online casinos.

French Roulette

This version shares a lot of similarities with the European Roulette in terms of layout and number of pockets. However, where it stands out is due to its rules, La Partage, and En Prison. These rules only apply when you place even-money bets and the ball lands on zero. La Partage gives you back half of your stake, while En Prison holds your bet for the next spin, giving you another chance to win. The following table highlights the differences these three variations:

Understanding the Basics of Roulette

To master the game of roulette, you need to understand how the game works at its core. The basic rules of roulette are simple: the dealer spins a wheel in one direction and rolls a small ball in the opposite direction. Your goal as a player is to predict where that ball will land once the wheel stops spinning. Here are some of the basics of the game you should familiarise yourself with:

The Roulette Wheel

The roulette wheel is the heart of the game. It contains numbered pockets where the ball can land. These pocket number 37 or 38, depending on the variant you’re playing. The zeros are what give the house its edge, so your chances of winning on pockets with fewer zeros are slightly better.

The Roulette Table Layout

To better understand the roulette game rules, you need to familiarize yourself with the table layout and settings. The table is divided into two main sections: inside and outside betting areas. The inside section displays 37 or 38 numbers on a grid, depending on the variants you play. It gives players the option to place more specific bets, like straight-up bets on a single number or split bets on two adjacent numbers. The outside section features broader betting options, including even-money bets like red or black, odd or even, as well as larger groupings like dozens or columns.

Roulette Betting Options Explained

Unlike blackjack rules, roulette offers a range of betting options, which are grouped into inside and outside bets. Each of these bet types has its own payout rate, risk level, and potential reward. Let’s take a close look at these betting options:

Inside Bets

Inside bets are very common and are placed on the numbered grid at the center of the table. They are very specific, carrying higher risks and higher payouts. While the following is not a roulette rules chart, it’s a table containing popular inside betting options, what they mean, and their potential payout:

Outside Betting Options

While Baccarat rules can be quite different, the outside betting options cover a larger group of numbers and generally come with lower risk and payout compared to the inside bets. These bet types are ideal for beginners or players who prefer steady and more frequent wins and include the following options:

• Odd or even: With this, you’re betting on whether the winning number will be an even or odd number. It pays out at 1:1 and covers 18 out of the 37 or 38 numbers on the wheel, excluding zeros.
• Red or Black: With this option, you’re betting on the colour of the winning number. The roulette table clearly marks red and black numbers, making this a very straightforward bet to place. Like the odd or even bet type above, it also payout 1:1 and excludes the green zeros.
• High or Low: This is another even-money bet that also payout 1:1. You get to bet on either low numbers between 1 – 18 or on high numbers between 19 – 36. However, the zeros are excluded from the two groups.
• Dozens: All the numbers are divided into the 3 dozens: 1 – 12, 13 – 24, and 25 – 36, and you can bet on any of these groups. If the winning number falls within your chosen dozen, you win a payout of 2:1. However, just like the other outside bets, the zero is not included in any dozen and will cause the bet to lose if it hits.

How to Play Roulette on Our Top-rated Online Casinos

You can play different variations of roulette on so many online casinos, but not all sites offer the same level of user experience, fairness, and generous bonuses. That’s why we have always mentioned in our numerous online casino guides that all the sites we recommend have been properly tested and trusted to provide exceptional player experiences.

So, to play roulette on any of our trusted online casinos, check the banner of this page and tap on your preferred site’s registration link to begin your sign-up process. Most of them offer quick registration processes, so it won’t take more than a moment or two. Once you’ve created an account, verified your identity, and made a deposit, you can follow the simple steps below to play your preferred roulette games.

1. Log into your account
2. Go to the game lobby
3. Tap on the table game section
4. Select your preferred title and open it
5. Select your chip size to play with
6. Place your chips on the bet you’d like to make
7. Hit the spin button

After the last step, you’ll need to wait for the outcome. You’ll find out whether you’ve won or not when the wheel stops spinning.

Top Roulette Strategies That You Can Use

As a game of chance, roulette doesn’t really have any sure or winning strategies that you can use. But here are some strategies that can help you play better, while hopefully keeping losses to a minimum:

Roulette Pros and Cons

• Beginner-friendly
• Popular in online casinos
• Multiple variants available

• No skill-based advantages

Final Thoughts on the Roulette Game and Its Rules

As you’ve learned throughout this guide, understanding the basic roulette rules, table layout, bet types, and different variants can go a long way in improving your confidence at the table or any online casino. While it’s a game of chance, applying some of the various strategies discussed above can help improve your overall gameplay. So, if you want to try your hand at some of the finest roulette titles available at our top-rated online casinos, you’ll find their registration links on the banner of this page. You can quickly register for an account using our links on your preferred site in no time.

Roulette Rules and Gameplay FAQ

• 📱 Can you play roulette on your phone?
  Yes, you can play roulette on your phone at most online casinos. This is because the game is optimised for mobile devices and works well irrespective of your device’s screen size and operating system.
• ⚪ What happens if the roulette ball lands on zero?
  If the ball lands on zero and you haven’t bet directly on it, most bets lose. However, in French roulette, special rules like La Partage or En Prison may apply to even-money bets, which can potentially give you a second chance or refund half your stake.
• 💻 Can you play the roulette demo version?
  Yes, you can! Most of our reputable online casinos allow you to enjoy the demo version of your preferred roulette title before playing with real money.