Roulette Table Rules
Roulette Table Rules
Roulette is one of the oldest games that you can find at many casinos. At the same time Roulette is the most iconic casino game with which players and common people identify gambling. The roots of this game can be traced back several centuries by first appearing in Europe. The first true roulette game appeared in 18th century in France and was based on a more primitive version from a century before that. It was combination of several different wheel and board games that existed then. The name translated to English means “little wheel” referring to the size of the roulette wheel used at that time.
It is impossible to find an online casino or any casino for that matter that doesn’t have a roulette game. This game has been a favorite of many high rollers throughout its existence because it can provide really high payouts and bets.
On American tables only there is a second extra green division marked 00 and it is largely this that makes the American version of Roulette a worse proposition financially than the European game. Prior to rolling the ball, people place bets on what number will come up by laying down chips on a betting mat, the precise location of the chips. Basic Roulette Rules. While land-based casinos usually feature a single version of roulette, the best game sites provide a selection of the eight types of roulette games. However, for the purpose of this page, we will be focusing on the roulette table rules for American and European roulette. Columns: A column bet covers an entire column of 12 numbers on the roulette table outlet. If any of those numbers wins, your bet pays out at 2-1 odds. Split: A split bet covers two adjacent numbers on the roulette table layout, like 4-5 or 6-9. If either number wins, the bet pays 17-1.
Compared to roulette in land-based casino, online roulette has many more advantages. All playing is done from your own home, you can play faster, and you don’t have expenses from taking a trip to the casino. You don’t have to wait for other players placing bets or receiving their payouts, and you can use a roulette strategy more effectively and in the silence of your own privacy. You can play whenever you like, just log into the online casino and turn on your favorite roulette game. Online roulette has many off springs in the form of different variations, much more than at land-based casinos, where you can get one or maximum two different roulette games. The betting limits are higher, the minimums are lower, and the games are unique.
Roulette Rules
Every casino game is played by following certain rules, and in order to use all advantages that the game gives, you have to learn the basic rules at least. The rules are easy to understand and mainly very simple, so you shouldn’t be afraid to try this game and master it by practicing.
- In roulette players play against the house. The roulette table is run by a croupier whose job is to spin the roulette wheel, make payouts and take bets. He represents the house. In online roulette you play against the computer, except in live dealer roulette games.
- Roulette is played by placing your bet on a certain number on the table. You can also make a bet on a group of numbers, on a sequence of numbers, if the number will be odd or even etc.
- Bets cannot be placed after the ball has been launched.
- Each bet option has a different payout. The biggest payout is given for a bet placed on an individual number which pays 35:1.
- You can place bets on 37 or 38 numbers, depending on the variation. In mini roulette, the number of slots is way lower.
- Some casinos will give you the option to take half with you of a losing bet and leave the other half for another spin. It is called the ‘en prison’ rule.
- All bets are divided into two groups, inside bets and outside bets. The former are placed on single numbers or groups containing no more than six numbers while the latter are outside bets.
- Each roulette game has its own maximum and minimum bet allowed.
The Basics of Roulette
Objective of the Game
When you gaze upon the roulette table you will see all kinds of opportunities for betting, and the primary and only objective is to guess in which slot the ball will fall, and with such accuracy that you even need to guess the color. Once the roulette wheel slows down the ball loses its momentum and falls into one of the slots. If you have accurately predicted you will be paid out in accordance with the paytable.
Bet Types
There are eleven bets that you can make in roulette: five bet, dozen bet, even/odd bet, color bet, street bet, high low bet, corner bet, line bet, column bet, split bet and straight bet. Five bet is possible only in American roulette. Dozen bets pay 2 to 1 and include betting on three different groups of 12 numbers, thus Dozen. Street bet is placed on the edge of any row of numbers, while split bet is placed between two numbers. A straight bet is a bet placed on an individual number. Corner bet includes four different numbers.
Payouts
The following are the payouts for different bets in ascending order according to their value:
– Straight bet pays 35 to 1.
– Split bet pays 17 to 1.
– Street bet pays 11 to 1.
– Corner bet pays 8 to 1.
– Line bet pays 5 to 1.
– Dozen or Column bets pay 2 to 1.
– Black/Red, Even/Odds, or High/Low bets pay 1 to 1.
Roulette Variations
The most common roulette games are European and American roulette. The European roulette has 37 numbers with slots from 1 to 36 plus the zero slot. In American there are 38 with both single and double zero slots. European roulette is more popular because it has more favorable house edge then American. Another common variation is French roulette. There are also some crazy innovative roulette variations such as mini roulette, double ball roulette, three wheel roulette etc.
Land-Based vs. Online Roulette
The most obvious advantage of online roulette over land-based roulette is the convenience of gambling from the comfort of your own home. You are away from the crowds and hustles, and you can enjoy in your desired atmosphere. Another advantage is that online casinos offer roulette games with higher table limits and better payouts. In online roulette you can even see the history of your bets.
A Simple Strategy to Use
Some people think that they have to buy a system from someone in order to begin winning at roulette. However, would advise you not to give money for such systems, because ultimately they don’t work as they are advertised of making you rich. Mathematically, they are always incorrect.
You can beat roulette without buying systems by following simple logical strategy. The best thing you can do is the following. First, find a casino that has roulette games with the lowest possible house edge. This is very important because you will have more chances to beat that house edge by even bigger difference in amounts and cash out more on your luck.
Next, you will have to follow these simple steps if you want to maximize the odds in your favor. Always go for European Roulette. Unlike the American, it has one number less standing at 37 slots and only a single zero slot. Also, European Roulette always has a lower house edge compared to American Roulette standing below 3%, while American has over 5%.
You will also need to avoid certain bets if you want to have a more profitable gambling session. It is true that single number bets are the highest paying bets possible at the roulette table, but it would be best if you would just avoid them, because they are also the most unlikely bets that you can win. Also, if you want to avoid the worst odds in roulette, avoid the five number bet.
Instead, place some bets that have more likely odds with decent payouts, such as the even money bets, like guessing if the number will be odd or even, low or high number, or if it is going to be black or red. They give you very low risk and a 45 percent chance to win and they pay 1 to 1, which means if you wager $1 you will get a $1. Also, when you choose to play European Roulette, see if it has the en prison rule, because you will be able to take back your bet if the ball lands on zero.
These are just simple guidelines that you can follow to maximize your return, but ultimately you are always left at the mercy of your luck. Whatever happens, make sure not to breach your bankroll and don’t try to make up for losses. The point is to have fun and not develop potential gambling issues.
Summary
We can summarize this introduction to roulette with the conclusion that it is an extremely popular casino game. It has always been and always will be. Roulette offers that classy image of style and exclusiveness, although from your home, but nevertheless, online roulette was built on that spirit and is designed to transfer it to the fullest into your own home.
Useful Roulette Glossary
– Against the Bank: when betting against the colors and the numbers that have come up in earlier rounds. If you bet on red after the ball has continuously fallen into black slots, is called “against the bank.”
– Combination Bet: when you place one or more chips on a single number within the brackets of the square in which the number is displayed at the roulette table, that is called a straight bet. But, if you place your chips on the line that divides two numbers or on the point between four different numbers, you have yourself a combination bet.
– Progression: with this technique you gradually increase your bet amounts by several times.
– Sprinkler: this expression is used for a person that puts random wagers and does that a lot. This kind of players truly believes in his luck and bets without previous thinking, and instead goes with what his guts tell him.
For more Roulette terms and phrases, visit our Roulette Glossary page here.
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RouletteOnline.net is a trusted resource for thousands of roulette players worldwide, from complete beginners to seasoned veterans looking for the latest tips and information. Our expert team has put together this guide so that you can approach your next roulette game with the confidence to win while having fun playing one of the most popular casino games in the world.
ROULETTE RULE BASICS
Learning how to play roulette is easier than many casino games, as the gameplay is relatively straightforward. A round of roulette consists of players making bets in an effort to predict where a ball will land after being spun on a large wheel. Losing bets are then collected and winning bets are paid out.
A roulette wheel consists of a large outer rim on which a ball will be spun, as well as a series of numbered pockets that the ball can fall into. These pockets are numbered between 1 and 36, with half of the pockets colored black and the other half colored red.
In addition, there is a zero (0) pocket that is colored green. Depending on the type of roulette game being played, you might also see a double zero (00) which is also colored green.
Before each spin, players have time to place their bets on the large layout that covers most of the roulette table. There are numerous bets available, some of which offer larger odds than others based on how likely they are to happen. For instance, predicting exactly which number the ball will fall into will pay much more than simply guessing whether it will fall into a red or black pocket.
Players can place as many bets as they like throughout the layout. That can get confusing, with many people allowed to play at the same table. That’s why live roulette games feature colored chips, with each player getting their own color to differentiate their own bets from those placed by others.
After players have been given time to place their bets, the croupier – the casino attendant in charge of the game – will place the ball on the rim of the roulette wheel, which they will then spin. Bets will still be allowed as this process begins. However, the croupier will soon wave off any further bets before the ball begins to slow down too much.
Once the ball drops into a pocket, the croupier will announce the winning number and mark it on the table. Losing bets will be swept from the table and winning bets are paid out. Any bet that includes the winning pocket – because of the number, color, or its position on the betting layout – gets paid according to the posted roulette odds.
Once this process is completed, the croupier will reopen the table to bets, and a new round can begin.
ROULETTE WHEEL VARIATIONS
There are two different roulette wheels that are commonly used throughout the world. The American roulette wheel has both a zero and a double zero, while the European roulette wheel only has the single zero.
For the most part, the betting options on both wheels are largely the same, as are the payouts. That means the odds are slightly better in European roulette,since there is one less pocket that the ball can potentially fall in. Some European roulette games also use French rules that further improve the odds for players on even money bets.
While these are the two most common wheels, there are a number of different roulette types available, especially when it comes to the online world. For more information about these wheels and others you might see in less common roulette variants, check out our roulette wheels page.
PLACING YOUR ROULETTE BETS
There are three main roulette variations available: American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette. But while there are subtle differences between these three games, your betting options will remain roughly the same no matter what roulette wheel you are playing on.
Of course, you can choose to bet on a single number, which will only win if the ball falls in that exact pocket. It’s also possible to bet on a range of numbers that are grouped together on the betting layout, which can vary from just two adjacent numbers to a full column or set of 12 numbers. These bets win if the ball lands on any number in that range.
There are also a number of even money bets that cover roughly half the wheel. You can bet on whether the ball will land on red or black, whether the winning number will be odd or even, or whether that number will be low or high.
THE ROULETTE BETTING TABLE
A typical roulette table will have your betting options presented on a layout. Almost all roulette types use the same basic board, with the American table having the one major difference: a space for the double-zero pocket right next to the single zero at the head of the layout.
BET TYPES IN ROULETTE
Roulette bet types are broken down into two basic categories: inside bets and outside bets. Generally speaking, inside bets are riskier and have higher payouts, while outside bets give you a better chance of winning, but offer lower odds.
While most roulette games post the same minimum bets for both types of bets, the big difference is that each outside bet must meet the minimum, but only the total of your inside bets has to add up to the minimum bet.
And whereas almost all bets in the same roulette game will have the same house edge, that’s not true between different types of games. We recommend European roulette, as the single-zero wheel significantly lowers the house edge when compared to the double-zero layout of American roulette. Our page on roulette odds contains more information on the house edge and payouts in both variants.
InsideBets | Outsidebets |
| Straight: This is a simple bet that covers one specific number. If that number hits, your bet pays at 35-1 odds. | Columns: A column bet covers an entire column of 12 numbers on the roulette table outlet. If any of those numbers wins, your bet pays out at 2-1 odds. |
| Split: A split bet covers two adjacent numbers on the roulette table layout, like 4-5 or 6-9. If either number wins, the bet pays 17-1. | Dozens: This bet can cover one of three sets of 12 numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. If the ball lands on a number in your chosen range, you’ll win at 2-1 odds. |
| Street: A street bet covers a row of three numbers, such as 13-14-15. If any of those numbers wins, your bet pays 11-1. | Odd/Even: These bets cover all the appropriate numbers (odd or even), with a zero counting as a loss for both choices. If one of the numbers of that type comes up, you’ll win at even money. |
| Corner: The bet covers a square of four adjacent numbers on the layout, such as 25-26-28-29. If the ball lands on any of those numbers, you’ll win at 8-1 odds. | Red/Black: These bets will win if the ball lands in a pocket of the appropriate color. If that happens, the bet pays out at even money. |
| SixLine: This is also known as a double street bet, as it covers two rows or six numbers in total, such as 28-29-30-31-32-33. If any of those six numbers wins, the bet pays 5-1. | 1-18/19-36: These bets cover all the numbers in the stated range. If any number in that group hits, your bet pays even money. |
| FirstFour/Basket: This bet covers the 1-2-3 street, as well as any zeros. On a European wheel, this is known as the “First Four” and pays 8-1. On an American wheel, it is known as a “Basket” bet, which pays 6-1. |
On some European roulette tables, you may also see an additional “racetrack” layout on the table. This is a sign that you can make a set of specialty French bets often known as “call” or “announce” bets. The bets have this name because they are traditionally made by calling them out to the croupier instead of by placing chips on the standard layout.
These bets cover sections of the wheel, rather than sections of the board you see on the roulette table. For instance, the voisins du zero bet covers the 17 numbers around and including zero on the wheel, starting at 25 and ending at 22. The tier bet covers the 12 numbers starting at 27 and going through the 33, while the orphelins – literally the orphans that aren’t included in the two other call bets – covers the remaining eight pockets on the wheel.
For betting purposes, each of these call bets is made up of a series of straight and split bets that cover all the numbers in the appropriate range.
HOW TO WIN AT ROULETTE
The result of each spin of the roulette wheel is determined entirely by luck, and most bets have the same house edge. But that doesn’t mean you can’t employ some roulette strategy in order to improve your odds of winning.
One of the most important decisions you can make is to choose the right type of roulette game to play. European roulette offers a house edge of just 2.70%, while the American variant with an added double zero gives the casino a 5.26% edge.
These numbers hold for almost every bet on the table, but there are a couple of exceptions. In American roulette, the basket bet (which covers 0-00-1-2-3) has a house edge of 7.9% and should be avoided. If you’re looking for an especially good bet, many European roulette games use the la partage rule, in which the player loses only half of an even money bet if the ball lands on zero. This effectively cuts the house edge in half on bets like red/black and odd/even.
Betting systems can also play a role in your roulette strategy. For instance, many players like to use progressive systems such as the Martingale when playing even money bets. These systems work by increasing your bet size after every loss.
For example, in the Martingale, you might bet $5 on red. If you lose, you would bet $10 on the next spin. Should you continue to lose, you would continue to double your bet to $20, then $40, then $80, and so on. Once you win a bet, you should return to your initial bet size.
The Martingale won’t change the house edge, but it will make you very likely to score a lot of small wins. The trade-off is that you’ll occasionally take big losses when you lose several bets in a row. For more information on how to win at roulette, check out roulette strategy guide.
When you first start playing roulette, we advise that you make small bets so that you can become familiar and confident with the game before increasing your stakes. You might also want to try practicing with our free roulette games first.
We host over 80 of the best online roulette options available so that you can learn how to play roulette, hone your skills, get a feel for different versions of the game, test out your betting strategies, or simply try a few spins for fun.
READY TO PLAY ROULETTE FOR REAL MONEY?
Now that you know how to play roulette, you can take that knowledge and try playing the game for real money. Our team of experts has put together a recommended list of trustworthy online casinos, each of which offers a variety of roulette games along with bonuses and promotions that cater to roulette players.
FAQ
How many bets can you place in a roulette game?
Most roulette games don’t place a limit on the number of bets you can place on each spin. There are numerous bet types available, ranging from “straight” bets that cover only a single number, to even money bets like odd/even and red/black, which give you nearly a 50/50 chance of winning.
What is the best bet in roulette?
Everyone will have different preferences when it comes to their favorite roulette bets, meaning there is no single “best” bet. The highest payouts are on single number bets, which pay 35-1 when they hit. The lowest house edge comes from even money bets in European roulette games that are using the la partage rule. These bets only give the casino a 1.35% advantage.
What number comes up the most in roulette?
In a fair roulette game using an unbiased wheel, all numbers have an equal chance of winning on each spin. That means that whether you like the 00 or the lucky number 7, your chances of winning are exactly the same.
Are casino roulette games rigged?
Our recommended online roulette casinos offer fair games that are independently tested to ensure they offer truly random results. Almost all live roulette games are also entirely fair, although it’s not unheard of for a casino to unknowingly use a biased wheel that favors some numbers over others! Unregulated operators may also run rigged games, which is why it is important to stick with legal, licensed casinos, such as our top-rated sites.
Is roulette all luck?
Roulette Betting Rules
Since each spin is unpredictable, it’s true that roulette is mostly a game of luck. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to improve your chances of winning. For a rundown of how you can give yourself the best odds of success, check out roulette tips and tricks from our experts.
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Roulette Table Rules
