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How To Play Roulette

Publish Date: 03.05.2025
Fact checked by: Adan Cabal

If you are wondering why there is so much excitement around the game of roulette, this piece is the perfect read for you. I am going to tackle the main aspects of how to play roulette.

I think roulette is the mother of wheel-spinning games. Basically, you place a bet to predict where a small ball will come to rest on the numbered wheel. It is purely a game of chance, but I am going to try my best to help you learn and play like a seasoned pro.

How to play roulette – Basic rules

If you already know how to play roulette in the casinos closer to home, playing online will be a breeze. The game revolves around a spinning wheel with segments numbered from 0 to 36 for European Roulette and 00 to 36 for American Roulette. As the wheel begins to spin, a ball is thrown in. Your goal is to predict the number or color on which the ball will rest when the wheel stops spinning.

At the beginning of each round, you must place your bet. And once the wheel is in motion, you cannot make any changes. The winning bet is revealed when the wheel stops spinning. If you predict a single number correctly, you win 35 times your bet. Later in this guide, I will explain all bet types and how they pay out.

Roulette betting options

As you continue to learn how to play roulette, you need to familiarize yourself with the different betting options and how they affect your winning chances. You have the option to place inside bets, outside bets, and side bets. Here is a simplified breakdown.

1. Inside bets

Inside bets allow you to wager on individual numbers between 1 and 36. You can also pick the zero or the double zero if you are playing American Roulette. This is known as a straight-up bet, and it comes with high payouts, but the probability is quite low. You also have the option to pick a specific set of numbers.

2. Outside bets

Outside bet is an exciting take on how to play the roulette wheel. Instead of just picking numbers, you can also bet on the outcome being Odd/Even or Red/Black. Players can select a particular column on the betting table. Outside bets, particularly Red/Black, are less risky and ideal for building a bankroll.

3. Common side bets and features

Side bets are separate wagers that you can place alongside your ordinary bet for higher payouts. Lucky Ball gives you the chance to predict the result from an additional 4 slots with payouts up to 120x. The Double Six incorporates the roll of a dice and can take your winnings up to 90x.

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Roulette odds and payout structure

How does roulette pay out? Let me start with RTP. Return to Player is a theoretical measure of how much a game pays out in winnings over a long period of time. The average RTP percentage is 97.30% for European Roulette and 94.74% for American Roulette.

You must know how to play roulette and win. And understanding the paytable is a huge part of the learning process. Different outcomes in this game have different probabilities of landing and, hence, payout differently. This is a paytable for European Roulette.

Bet TypeDescriptionPayout
Straight UpBetting on a single number 0-3635:1
StreetPicking 3 horizontally adjacent numbers like 12311:1
Column betsPicking 12 numbers in one of the 3 columns2:1
Odd/EvenPredicting whether the result is going to be odd or even1:1
Red/BlackPredict whether the winning number is going to be in Red or Black1:1
High/LowPicking low range (numbers 1-18) or high range (19-36)1:1

Top roulette variants

European Roulette and American Roulette are classic interpretations of the game. The European Roulette wheel features a green slot marked 0 and other slots numbered from 1 to 36 but not in a logical order. The American wheel has a 0 and a double 0 slot, giving it a total of 38 slots. Here are more variations of the game, designed by various software providers.

🎡 Mini Roulette

As the name suggests, this game has a much smaller wheel than European Roulette. Here, you get numbers from 1 to 12 and a single 0. If you’ve just started learning how to play roulette, this is the simplest variant of the game.

⚽ Double Ball Roulette

The wheel for Double Ball Roulette has a familiar layout. But there are two balls involved. The game makes outside bets more exciting.

⚡ Lightning Roulette

This is a live table game from Evolution Gaming that offers additional features and a chance to increase your winnings. For each round, 5 0f the 36 numbers on the wheel become Lightning Numbers. These special slots give you a special multiplier up to 500x.

🎰 Roulette Azure

Introduced by Pragmatic Play, the live dealer game features Bet Behind. This unique function gives you the opportunity to bet on another player’s progress. You can play from as little as 10c per round. The wheel has the same layout as European Roulette, and you get the same 97.30% RTP.

Choosing where to play roulette

Now that you’ve learned a lot about how to play roulette online, you need to pick out the perfect site to play. I have listed the essential aspects that you need to consider.

1. Selection of software providers

For a casino site to offer great roulette games, it must work with the best software providers. Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming have some of the best roulette tables with engaging features.

2. Betting limits

If you are just starting to learn how to play roulette, betting limits are important. You would want to look for a casino with minimum bets as low as 10 cents. This allows you to play for longer without breaking the bank.

3. Mobile gaming options

You would want to play even on the long bus or train ride home. The casino needs to have a versatile mobile app or mobile site which supports both iOS and Android devices without limitations. The best apps retain speed and ease of use.

4. Bonuses for roulette

Many casino bonuses are centered on slots with low wagering contributions on roulette and other table games. Find a site with roulette-friendly bonuses and promotions. You can also search for some no deposit bonus codes 2025 to get started in style.

Roulette strategy and tips – How to win roulette

Although you can never cheat the roulette odds, I am going to show you how to play roulette in the most progressive manner. There are a few ways to maximize your bankroll and make your gameplay more amusing.

💰 Low Risk Bets When Funds Are Low

When your bankroll has taken far too many hits, you may want to rethink your betting system. Before reloading funds, try low risk outside bets like Red/Black and Odd/Even, staking the minimum amount. This gives you a better chance to slowly recuperate.

🎁 Check for Roulette Bonuses

One of the best tips for roulette that I can give is to take advantage of bonuses. A promotion is your chance to boost your funds and stay in the game. This can help you elevate the experience. Playing with the bonus also reduces the risk and allows you to explore different roulette versions and betting options.

🚫 Progressive Strategies Not for Beginners

If you are just starting out do not attempt progressive strategies. This means increasing your wager each time you win. This method is for thick-skinned high rollers as it carries hefty risks. As a junior, you would rather stick with small bets and a close-fitting budget.

🎲 Understand the Game

While roulette seems like a quick and simple game, there are a lot of aspects to this wheel-spinning classic. So, here is how to play roulette for beginners. Take the time to research the rules, betting options, and variants of the game before making a financial commitment. Look up each confusing term so that you know what you are dealing with.

How to play roulette – Pros and cons

Here are a few pros and cons of the roulette learning curve.

Advantages
  • Easy game, quick to learn
  • Multiple variants available to play
  • Option to learn various betting strategies
Disadvantages
  • Chance-based, no guaranteed wins
  • Need to understand payout structure

Roulette terms to know

Here are a few words and phrases you must know to play and communicate like a pro at roulette tables.

  • Straight Up Bet – This is a wager on a particular number between 0 and 36.
  • House Edge – the edge refers to the statistical advantage that the casino has over players.
  • Red/Black – An even money bet on whether the ball will rest in a red or black slot.
  • Racetrack bet – A wager on multiple numbers that are adjacent.
  • Mini Roulette – A version of roulette with a smaller wheel, including only 13 instead of 37 or 38 numbered segments.
  • Dozens – wagering on 12 numbers in a logical sequence like 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.

Start playing roulette

You can learn how to play roulette in a heartbeat. You simply need to guess where the ball will rest when the spinning wheel comes to a stop. To up your game, you need to dig a bit deeper and learn more about the advanced betting options.

You should also explore a vast collection of live dealer and RNG variants by providers like Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play. And using bonuses can enhance your bankroll. Overall, roulette is a fun-filled adventure with lots of extras.

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How to play roulette FAQS

🎡 What are the basic rules of Roulette?

Roulette involves a spinning wheel with numbered compartments (37 or 38). A ball is released onto the spinning wheel. The aim is to predict where the ball will land. Bets can be placed on numbers, colors, or odd/even outcomes.

🃏 What is considered the best Roulette strategy?

While no strategy guarantees a win, the Martingale system is one of the most used roulette strategies. It involves doubling your bet after each loss to recover previous losses with a win. This strategy requires a substantial bankroll to withstand potential losing streaks.

📚 Is Roulette difficult to learn?

Roulette is relatively easy to learn initially. Players simply place bets and watch the wheel spin. However, understanding complex betting options and payout structures takes time.

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