Roulette is an iconic casino game, instantly recognizable by its spinning wheel and the small white ball that determines players' fortunes. Its name means "little wheel" in French, casino and the game is one of pure chance, making it accessible and exciting for beginners and veterans alike.
How the Game Works
The core of the game is the roulette wheel, which is divided into numbered pockets. The two primary versions of roulette are:
Single-Zero Roulette: The European version contains 37 pockets in total, with one of them being a green 0. This is the preferred version for players as its house edge is lower. Double-Zero Roulette: This variant is identified by its 38 pockets, which include both a "0" and a "00". Players face worse odds in this version because of the "00".
The aim of the game is simply to bet on the winning number.
Placing Your Wagers
The bets you can make are split into two groups: Inside Bets and Outside Bets.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are wagers on the numbered section of the table. They offer big payouts but are harder to hit.
Straight Up: Betting on one specific number. The highest payout in the game. Split: Betting on the line between two numbers. Street: A three-number bet that pays 11:1. Corner: A four-number bet that pays 8:1.
Outside Bets
These are wagers on general outcomes and have better odds with lower payouts.
Red/Black: A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black. Payout is 1 to 1. Odd/Even: An even-money bet on the number's property. High/Low: Betting on the number falling in the 1-18 or 19-36 group. Dozens/Columns: A bet on one of three dozens (1-12, 13-24, casino 25-36) or one of three columns. Payout is 2 to 1.
Is There a Winning Roulette Strategy?
As a game of independent random events, no betting system can alter the mathematical house advantage. While popular, casino betting systems like the Martingale are flawed and can wipe out your funds in a short amount of time. The smartest approach is to play responsibly, set a budget, and stick to the European version of the game.