Roulette is one of the most recognisable casino games, with its spinning wheel and bouncing ball, and it is simple to play once you understand the bets. This beginner's guide explains how to play roulette, covering the wheel, the table layout, the types of bets, and the odds. It is general information and not betting advice, so always gamble responsibly and only stake money you can comfortably afford to lose.
The aim of the game
The aim of roulette is to predict which numbered pocket the ball will land in when the wheel stops spinning. You place bets on the table layout before the spin, and if the ball lands on a number or in a group you have bet on, you win. There is no skill in influencing where the ball lands; it is a game of chance. Understanding that roulette is purely about predicting a random outcome, and that no system can change the odds, is the foundation for playing it sensibly.
The wheel and the table
Roulette has two main parts: the wheel, with numbered pockets, and the table layout, where you place your chips. European roulette has numbers 1 to 36 plus a single zero, while American roulette adds a double zero. The numbers are coloured red or black, with the zero green. Knowing that the layout mirrors the numbers on the wheel, and that you bet by placing chips on or around those numbers, helps you understand how a bet connects to where the ball might land.
European vs American roulette
The key difference between the two main versions is the zero. European roulette has one zero, while American roulette has both a zero and a double zero. That extra pocket increases the house edge, making American roulette worse value for players over time. Where you have the choice, European roulette is generally the better option. Our guide on roulette bets explained goes deeper. Understanding that the number of zeros affects the house edge helps you make a more informed choice about which version to play.
Inside bets
Bets placed directly on the numbers in the main grid are called inside bets. These include betting on a single number, which pays the most but is least likely to win, or on combinations of adjacent numbers by placing chips on the lines between them. Inside bets offer bigger payouts but lower chances of winning. Knowing that inside bets target specific numbers or small groups, with higher rewards and higher risk, is part of understanding the range of choices on the roulette table.
Outside bets
Outside bets are placed in the areas around the number grid and cover larger groups. Examples include betting on red or black, odd or even, high or low numbers, or on a dozen or column of numbers. These bets are more likely to win but pay less, with red or black roughly an even-money bet. Understanding that outside bets cover broad groups with better chances but smaller payouts, compared with inside bets, helps you see the trade-off between risk and reward when choosing where to place your chips.
How payouts work
Payouts in roulette reflect how likely a bet is to win. A single-number bet pays the most because it is hardest to hit, while an even-money bet like red or black pays the least because it wins almost half the time. The payouts are set so the house keeps a small edge, mainly because of the zero. Understanding that payouts are inversely related to the chance of winning, and that the zero gives the house its edge, helps you grasp why the game is profitable for the casino over time.
The role of the zero
The zero, and the double zero in American roulette, is where the house edge comes from. Even-money bets like red or black do not cover the zero, so when the ball lands there, those bets lose. This small but constant advantage is how the casino profits over the long run, regardless of any betting pattern. Understanding that the zero is the source of the house edge, and that it cannot be avoided, is key to realistic expectations and to seeing why no betting system can overcome it.
Betting systems and why they do not work
You may hear of betting systems, such as doubling your stake after a loss, that claim to beat roulette. These do not change the underlying odds, which always favour the house because of the zero. They can lead to large, fast losses and hitting table limits. Our guide on how a casino makes money explains the maths. Understanding that no system can overcome the house edge, and that such methods often increase risk rather than reduce it, protects you from a common and costly misconception.
How a round plays out
In a round of roulette, players place their chips on the layout during the betting period. The dealer, or croupier, then spins the wheel and releases the ball, calling no more bets as it slows. When the ball settles in a pocket, winning bets are paid and losing chips are cleared. Knowing the simple rhythm of a round, bet, spin, result, payout, helps you feel comfortable at the table or playing online, where the same sequence happens automatically.
Online and live roulette
Roulette is widely available online, both as software games using a random number generator and as live dealer games streamed with a real wheel and croupier. The rules and bets are identical to the physical game. Licensed online games are tested for fairness. Our guide on what RNG is explains how software fairness works. Knowing the different formats, and that regulated online roulette is tested to be fair, lets you choose between the convenience of online play and the atmosphere of a real table.
The house edge in roulette
Roulette always carries a house edge, which is higher in American roulette because of the extra zero. This means that over time, the game is designed to return less than you stake, so you should expect to lose in the long run. The edge is fixed and unavoidable. Recognising that roulette favours the house, and that European roulette offers slightly better value than American, helps you approach the game with realistic expectations rather than the belief that you can beat it consistently.
Playing responsibly
Roulette is fast and easy to get drawn into, so treat it as entertainment with a cost rather than a way to make money. Set a budget before you start, only stake what you can afford to lose, and walk away when you reach your limit rather than chasing losses. Our guide on how to gamble responsibly offers practical tools. Keeping roulette fun by playing within your means is far more important than any bet type or pattern.
In short
To play roulette, you bet on where the ball will land on the wheel, choosing inside bets on specific numbers for bigger payouts or outside bets on groups like red or black for better chances. European roulette has one zero and is better value than American roulette's two. The zero gives the house its edge, which no betting system can overcome. Treat roulette as entertainment, set a budget, and gamble responsibly.
Learn more in our How to Play guides.