The Basics of Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games. A dealer spins a ball around a numbered wheel, and players bet on where the ball will land. The European wheel has 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 plus a single zero), while the American wheel adds a double zero, giving it 38 pockets.
This distinction matters enormously: European roulette has a house edge of 2.7%, while American roulette's house edge jumps to 5.26%. Always prefer European roulette when you have the choice.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the numbered grid. They carry higher payouts but lower probability of winning.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout | European Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Single number | 35:1 | 2.7% |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.4% |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.1% |
| Corner | Four numbers in a square | 8:1 | 10.8% |
| Six Line | Two adjacent rows (6 numbers) | 5:1 | 16.2% |
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers. They pay less but win more frequently. These are the foundation of most conservative roulette strategies.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout | European Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red/Black | 18 red or 18 black numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Odd/Even | All odd or all even numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Low/High | 1–18 or 19–36 | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Dozen | 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36 | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Column | One of three vertical columns | 2:1 | 32.4% |
Called Bets (French/European Roulette)
European roulette also features called bets — wagers based on sections of the wheel rather than the grid layout. These include:
- Voisins du Zéro — covers 17 numbers closest to zero on the wheel
- Tiers du Cylindre — covers 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel from zero
- Orphelins — covers the 8 numbers not included in the above two sections
- Jeu Zéro — a smaller version of Voisins, covering just 7 numbers near zero
The La Partage and En Prison Rules
Some European roulette tables offer player-friendly rules that apply when the ball lands on zero:
- La Partage: You get half your even-money bet back immediately. This reduces the house edge to just 1.35% on even-money bets.
- En Prison: Your even-money bet is "imprisoned" and carries over to the next spin. If it wins, you get your stake back. This also reduces the effective house edge significantly.
Popular Betting Systems
Many players use structured betting systems at roulette. These include the Martingale (doubling after each loss), the Fibonacci sequence, and the D'Alembert system. It's important to understand that no betting system overcomes the house edge. They redistribute risk but do not change the mathematical outcome over time. Use them as a way to structure your play, not as a guaranteed winning method.
Key Takeaways
- Always choose European over American roulette for better odds.
- Outside bets win more often; inside bets pay more when they hit.
- La Partage and En Prison rules reduce the house edge on even-money bets.
- No betting system can overcome the built-in house edge over the long run.