How to Play Roulette: The Ultimate 2025 Guide for New Players

Learn how to play roulette in this beginner’s guide covering roulette rules, odds, online play, betting systems, and strategy tips for smarter spins. This guide explains everything, from table layouts to betting systems, with tips for smarter and more enjoyable spins.

What Is Roulette?

Roulette originated from the French language, meaning “little wheel.” It is a casino table game where a rotating wheel spins a ball, and players bet on which compartment of the wheel the ball will land in. 

Roulette is one of the most popular games in modern casinos around the world. It is purely a game of chance, and any roulette strategy applied can only provide structure, not guarantee a win. 

Understanding the Roulette Wheel 

Not all roulette wheels are created equal. There are different types, and their differences affect your odds of winning. Here are the different types of roulette wheels:

American roulette

• Wheel layout: 38 pockets (numbers 1–36, plus 0 and 00)
• House edge: 5.26%
• Why it matters: that extra 00 slot increases the house edge; same bets, slightly worse odds.
• Common in: U.S. casinos, especially in Vegas and Atlantic City. Unless it’s the fourth of July, there’s absolutely no reason to play this version. Avoid, if possible.

European roulette

• Wheel layout: 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 plus a single 0)
• House edge: 2.7%
• Why it matters: The single zero means slightly better odds for the player.
• Best for beginners: Most online games use this version. You can also usually find it in any casino. It’s the ‘go-to’ for the rookie roulette player.

French roulette

• Wheel layout: 37 pockets (same as European)

• House edge: as low as 1.35% on even-money bets

• Special rules: “La Partage” and “En Prison”

◦ These apply to even-money bets if the ball lands on 0.
◦ La Partage: You get half your bet back.
◦ En Prison: Your bet is held for the next spin. If it wins, you get it back.

• Good to know: This is the Holy Grail of roulette tables. If you are an outside player working a system, French roulette is le meilleur choix.

How to Place Bets on Roulette

Placing bets on roulette is quite simple, fast, and fun. You can choose to place your bet online or at a land-based casino. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice on which to pick depends on your needs and taste. So how do you play roulette? 

How to Bet on Roulette Online

Playing games at online casinos is a great way to learn the ropes of roulette without risking too much. You can take the time to learn the bets, the probabilities, the options, and the reality of roulette.

Here’s a step-by-step start:

1. Choose a reputable online casino: It’s obvious, but don’t forget it. Make sure you’re betting with the best online roulette sites. 
2. Pick your roulette table: Most platforms offer dozens of different versions of the roulette game. To start, pick European roulette. With just a single zero in play, it has the lowest house edge of all the games.
3. Understand the betting layout: At first glance, the roulette betting layout looks confusing. Once you get your head around it, you will realize it is a design classic, clearly displaying all the possible bet types, from straight-up numbers to red/black and odd/even.
4. Place your bet: Once you’ve got your betting bearings, just click or tap on your chosen area of the tablet to make a bet. Set your stake. Pick your spot and hit spin.
5. Spin and watch the result: Once the bets have closed, the wheel spins until the ball drops into a slot. The result will be displayed. If you have won, your account will be automatically credited with any winnings.

How to Play Roulette at a Casino 

If you’re heading to the casino, roulette is the perfect game to play. There’s no strategy. There’s no skill. You just need the nod from Lady Luck. Here are some pointers to keep you looking cool and in control at the casino:

1. Find the right table: Tables are usually labelled with minimum and maximum bet limits. Find the price that suits your budget.
2. Buy chips: Unlike online play, in the casino, you exchange your cash for color-coded chips. These are specific to your session and can’t be used elsewhere. Don’t worry: the croupier knows what’s what.
3. Place your bets: Wait for the dealer to say ‘Place your bets!’ and put your chips on those (winning!) numbers, lines, corners, and combos. Stop betting when the dealer says, ‘No more bets.’
4. Watch that etiquette: Be cool and be respectful. It’s not the croupier’s fault that you keep missing your number by one pocket. Don’t touch the chips after the spin and avoid leaning over the table when the game’s in motion.
5. Wait for payouts: If you win, the dealer will put a dolly on top of the winning number. The remaining chips are swept away.

Types of Roulette Bets

Roulette is a game of chance. It’s not a career option. No strategy can improve your odds of winning.

However, you can make wise choices. Understanding roulette odds, bet types, and the risk versus reward is key to maximizing your time at the table. There are two main categories of roulette bets: inside bets and outside bets.

Inside Bets 

These are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. Inside bets offer higher payouts in exchange for lower chances of winning.

Straight Up

Bet on a single number. Payout: 35:1

Split

Bet between two adjacent numbers. Payout: 17:1

Street

Bet on a row of three numbers. Payout: 11:1

Corner

Bet on a square of four numbers. Payout: 8:1

Line (Double Street)

Bet on two rows (six numbers). Payout: 5:1

Outside Bets 

These cover larger groups of numbers and offer lower payouts but higher chances of winning. They are made outside the central numbered betting area. Ergo: ‘outside’.

• Red or Black
• Odd or Even
• High or Low (1–18 or 19–36). Each pays 1:1
• Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36). Payout: 2:1
• Columns (vertical set of 12 numbers). Payout: 2:1

Risk vs. Reward

Bet Type	Payout	Probability	Risk Level
Straight Up	35:1	2.7%	High
Split	17:1	5.4%	High
Street	11:1	8.1%	Medium
Red/Black	1:1	48.6%	Low
Even/Odd	1:1	48.6%	Low
Dozen/Column	2:1	32.4%	Medium

How Payouts Work In Roulette

Once you know the basics, payouts in roulette become easier to understand. Roulette payouts are determined by how likely your bet will hit. So, the safer your bet is, the smaller the payout, and the riskier your bet is, the bigger the payout.

1. Even-money bets: These are bets on Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low. These bets cover nearly half of the wheel, so they’re incredibly safe. If you win, the casino pays you 1:1. If you bet $10, you win $10.
2. Dozens and Columns: These bets cover 12 numbers at once. They’re a bit riskier, so they pay 2:1. If you bet $10, you’ll win $20.
3. Straight-up bets (single numbers): These are by far the riskiest bets, and they possess the highest potential payout rate. You pick just a number and hope it hits. Maybe even pray! If lady luck smiles on you, you get a massive 35:1 payout, i.e, you bet $1 and win $35. It’s exciting, but also extremely rare to land. 
4. Splits, Streets, and Corners: These bets cover 2, 3, or 4 numbers. Their payouts are determined by the level of risk.

Basic Roulette Rules for Beginners 

Here are some rules of roulette to help beginners relax and get started:

💡 Place your chips before the wheel is spun.
💡 If you initiate a bet before or while the dealer calls “no more bets,” you’ll be allowed to complete the bet.
💡 If you place bets after the dealer calls “no more bets,” it will be declared void and returned to you.
💡 If the winning number on the wheel is ‘0’ or ‘00,’ all outside bets are lost.
💡 For a spin to be considered valid, the ball must make at least three revolutions around the track.

Our Expert Tips for Playing Roulette

If there was one singular tip to take to the roulette table, it’s this: have fun. Roulette is about managing both your mindset and your bankroll.

The two are fundamentally interlinked. Here are our top roulette tips to help you stay in control and enjoy the game for longer.

Observe Before You Play

Before you dive in, spend a few spins watching the table. If you’re playing online, watch how quickly the game moves and where the betting options are. Several roulette apps offer demo modes. If you’re at the casino floor, take note of table limits, how the dealer interacts, and the pace of the game.

Bankroll Management: Set a Budget and Stick to It

Roulette is relatively quick, and so are the losses if you don’t plan. Here’s a checklist:

✅ Set a maximum limit before you start playing.
✅ Break your bankroll into smaller session chunks.
✅ Avoid the temptation to increase your bet size after a loss (also known as the Martingale trap).

Mix Up Your Bets Without Overcommitting

While outside bets like red/black or odd/even keep things steady, sprinkling in the occasional inside bet can add excitement without blowing your budget. Use small wagers on individual numbers or sections of the wheel for bigger potential payouts. Keep your main bankroll focused on safer bets so you’re not overexposed.

Know When to Walk Away

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but knowing when to bail out is crucial. Set both win goals and loss limits. ‘If I double my bankroll, I’ll cash out. If I lose half, I’ll stop.’ Lastly, don’t chase losses. The wheel doesn’t owe you anything.

Conclusion

Roulette is the perfect casino table game. The house edge is elegantly represented by the zero. The odds of the game are displayed in a brilliantly designed format.

Easy to play, simple to understand, and full of drama. Where will the ball stop? Will my number hit? Should I play even-money bets or try to pick a single number? 

For most people, roulette is the first game they try at the casino. Why not find out why? If you’ve never tried it, give it a spin. 

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