How to Play Roulette: Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Like a Pro

Learning how to play roulette might seem intimidating at first, but it’s one of those games that looks complicated until you see how simple it really is. At its heart, it’s all about placing bets and watching the wheel decide the outcome.

Yet, there’s a lot to explore – different versions of the game, various betting options, and strategies that can make it even more interesting. Learning how to win at roulette as a beginner is about understanding these basics first.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything that matters: how the game works, what bets you can make, and what strategies actually help. No fancy jargon, no complicated theories – just clear explanations that’ll help you feel confident at the table.

Understanding Roulette Basics for Beginners

If you’ve ever walked past a roulette table, you’ve probably noticed two main things: the wheel itself and the betting table where players place their chips. These two elements work together to create the game.

The wheel has numbered pockets from 0 to 36. Each number is coloured either red or black, except for zero which is green. When you place a bet, you’re essentially guessing where the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning.

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Types of Roulette Games

You’ll typically find three main versions of roulette:

European Roulette is the most common. It has 37 pockets on the wheel, numbered 0 to 36. The single zero (0) gives it a lower house edge of 2.7%. This is usually your best choice as a beginner.

American Roulette adds an extra pocket: a double zero (00). While it might not seem like a big change, having one more pocket actually doubles the house advantage, raising it to 5.26%. This makes it less favourable for players.

French Roulette uses the same wheel as European Roulette but adds special rules (like “La Partage” and “En Prison”). These can help players lose less money on certain bets, cutting the house edge to as little as 1.35%. If you find a French table, you’re in luck – it offers the best odds of the three.

The Roulette Table and Wheel Explained

The roulette wheel might look complex, but it follows a logical layout. The numbers 0-36 are arranged in a specific order that balances red and black numbers. This arrangement isn’t random – it’s designed to alternate between high and low numbers and between odd and even numbers as much as possible.

The betting table is where you’ll actually place your chips, and it’s laid out to match all possible bets you can make. It has sections for “inside bets” (specific numbers or small groups of numbers) and “outside bets” (broader options like red/black or odd/even).

Each area on the table corresponds to a type of bet you can make, which we’ll explore in detail later.

Here’s what you’ll find on a standard roulette table:

• A grid of numbers from 1-36, arranged in 12 rows of three
• A zero (and double zero in American roulette) at the top
• Areas for betting on groups of numbers (first 12, second 12, third 12)
• Spaces for betting on red/black, odd/even, and high/low numbers
• Additional areas for column bets

Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Roulette

Step 1: Place Your Bet

Here’s a complete step-by-step guide to playing roulette. Before each spin, the dealer announces “place your bets.” This is your time to put chips on the table. You can:

• Place chips directly on numbers (inside bets). These bets have higher payouts but lower chances of winning.
• Put them on outside areas for red/black, odd/even, or groups of numbers (outside bets). While the payouts are smaller, your odds of winning are much higher.
• Make multiple bets in the same round.

Don’t worry about reaching across the table – just tell the dealer what bet you want to make and they’ll place the chips for you. When you’re new to the game, it’s perfectly fine to take a moment to think about your bet or ask the dealer for clarification.

Step 2: The Spin

Once the dealer announces “no more bets,” they’ll spin the wheel in one direction and release the ball in the opposite direction.

At this point, all betting stops. You can’t add, remove, or change any bets. The ball will eventually settle into one pocket, which determines the winning number and colour.

Step 3: Payouts and Starting Again

Once the ball lands, the dealer announces the winning number and clears the table of all losing bets. If you’ve won, your chips will be exchanged for a payout based on the type of bet you placed. For example, a straight bet on a single number pays 35 to 1, while an even-money bet like red/black pays 1 to 1.

After payouts are complete, the dealer will signal the start of a new round. Players can then place their bets for the next spin.

Types of Bets in Roulette

Every bet in roulette falls into one of two categories: inside bets or outside bets. The names simply come from where these bets are placed on the table layout.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are any placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. They’re harder to win but pay more when they hit.

• Straight Bet (Single Number): Placing your chips directly on one number. Pays 35 to 1 – the highest payout in roulette. For example, if you bet £1 on number 17 and win, you’ll get £35 plus your original stake back.
• Split Bet: Placing chips on the line between two adjacent numbers. This covers both numbers and pays 17 to 1. You might bet on 14-15 or 8-11 (numbers that touch each other on the table).
• Street Bet: Betting on three numbers in a row, like 13-14-15. Place your chips at the end of any row. Pays 11 to 1.
• Corner Bet: Betting on four numbers that meet at a corner (like 1-2-4-5). Place your chips on the corner where all four numbers meet. Pays 8 to 1.
• Line Bet: Similar to a street bet, but covers two rows (six numbers total). Place your chips at the intersection of two rows. Pays 5 to 1.

Outside Bets

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and give you better odds of winning, though with smaller payouts:

• Red/Black: Betting that the ball will land on either a red or black number. Almost a 50/50 chance (except for zero). Pays 1 to 1.
• Odd/Even: Betting that the winning number will be either odd or even. Like red/black, it pays 1 to 1.
• High/Low: Betting on either 1-18 (low number) or 19-36 (high number). Also pays 1 to 1.
• Dozens: Betting on the first (1-12), second (13-24), or third (24-36) dozen numbers. Pays 2 to 1.
• Columns: Betting on one of the three vertical columns of numbers. Also pays 2 to 1.

Special Bets and Rules in French Roulette

French roulette has some extra rules and betting options that can work in your favour. The most important ones are:

• La Partage: If you make an even-money bet (like red/black or odd/even) and the ball lands on zero, you only lose half your bet instead of all of it. This effectively cuts the house edge in half for these bets.
• En Prison: Similar to La Partage, but works differently. If you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, your bet isn’t lost immediately. Instead, it’s held ‘in prison’ for the next spin. If you win on that next spin, you get your original bet back. If you lose, the casino keeps it.

French roulette also has some special betting patterns known as “announced bets” or “call bets”:

• Voisins du Zero (“Neighbours of Zero”): A bet covering a total of 17 numbers on the wheel, including zero and the numbers closest to it. These numbers are 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, and 25. It’s a popular bet because it covers a large section of the wheel.
• Tiers du Cylindre (“Third of the Wheel”): Covers 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel from zero. These numbers are 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33.
• Orphelins (“Orphans”): Covers the numbers that aren’t included in either Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre. It’s essentially betting on the leftover numbers: 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14, 31, and 9.

Don’t worry too much about memorising these special bets when you’re starting out. Most players stick to regular inside and outside bets, only exploring these options once they’re more comfortable with the game.

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Roulette Odds and Payouts

Understanding the Odds

When you’re playing roulette, there’s always a house edge – that’s how casinos make their profit. In European roulette (with a single zero), this edge is 2.7%, while in American roulette (with a double zero), it jumps to 5.26%.

This means French roulette gives you the best chances of winning, while American roulette has the highest house edge. That’s why players may sometimes want to avoid American roulette if they have other options.

Payouts for Common Bets

Here’s what you can win with each bet (payouts are the same in all versions).

Remember: While inside bets offer bigger payouts, they’re harder to win. That’s why many players combine outside bets (for more frequent wins) with the occasional inside bet (for the chance of a bigger payout).

Basic Strategies for Beginners

Start with Simple Bets

When you’re new to roulette, it’s best to keep things simple. The best roulette strategies for beginners focus on outside bets like red/black, odd/even, or high/low – you’ll win nearly half the time with these bets, and they’ll pay 1 to 1, meaning you’ll double your money when you win.

While these bets might seem less exciting than betting on single numbers, they give you the best chance of having longer, enjoyable sessions at the table, and you’ll get familiar with how everything works while you’re at it.

Think of it this way: for your first tries, would you rather have several small wins that keep you playing, or risk losing everything quickly for the chance of one big win?

Use a Budget and Stick to It

Money management is extra important in roulette. Before you start playing, decide exactly how much you’re willing to spend – this is money you’re comfortable losing entirely if luck isn’t on your side.

A good approach is to break your total budget into smaller betting units. Try to keep each bet between 2-5% of your total budget. This way, you can withstand the natural ups and downs of the game without risking too much at once.

The most important rule? Never chase losses by betting more than you planned. This might seem obvious, but it’s harder to stick to than you might think in the heat of the moment. Once you hit your limit, walk away – the game will always be there another time.

Avoid Risky Strategies

You’ll likely come across betting systems that some claim they guarantee wins. The Martingale system, for instance, suggests doubling your bet after each loss. In theory, this means you’ll eventually win back your losses plus a small profit.

Here’s the reality: no betting system can overcome the house edge. These systems can work in the short term, but there’s a real risk of hitting the table limit or running out of money.

The best strategy in roulette, especially for beginners, is to play responsibly and within your means. Focus on having fun rather than trying to beat the system. Roulette is supposed to be entertainment, not a way to make money.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Making mistakes is part of learning any new game, but knowing the common ones can help you avoid them. Here are the main pitfalls new roulette players often encounter.

Betting too much on single spins is probably the most common mistake. It’s tempting to place large bets, especially on single numbers, hoping for that big 35 to 1 payout. But this is the quickest way to lose your money. Each spin is completely independent – having five reds in a row doesn’t make black “due” to come up next.

Another costly mistake is not checking which version of roulette you’re playing. We’ve already covered how American roulette’s extra zero pocket doubles the house edge compared to European roulette. Yet many players sit down at any available table without checking. Take the extra moment to find a European (or better yet, French) table – it can make a big difference to your chances.

Some players also misunderstand how odds and payouts work. They might see someone win big on a single number and think they should do the same, not realising how unlikely those wins are. Or they might not understand that while outside bets win more often, they’ll never make up for losses with a single win like inside bets can.

Online vs. Land-Based Roulette: What’s Best for Beginners?

Like most casino games these days, you can play roulette both in traditional casinos and online. Both options have their advantages, so let’s look at what each offers.

Pros and Cons of Online Roulette

Online roulette lets you learn at your own pace. You can usually take time to think about your bets without feeling rushed (unless it’s live roulette with real dealers), and many online casinos offer free play modes where you can practice without risking real money.

The minimum bets are usually lower online, which means you can start with smaller amounts while you’re learning. You’ll also find more game variations available, making it easier to find European or French roulette tables with better odds.

However, playing online means missing out on the social aspect of roulette. You won’t have other players to learn from or a dealer to ask questions. Some players also find it harder to keep track of their spending when playing online, as digital chips can feel less “real” than actual casino chips.

Pros and Cons of Land-Based Roulette

Nothing quite matches the atmosphere of playing roulette in a real casino. Watching the wheel spin, hearing the ball bounce, and feeling the excitement around the table – it’s an experience that online play can’t fully replicate.

In a land-based casino, you can interact with the dealer and other players. Dealers are usually happy to explain the rules to new players, and you can learn a lot just by watching how more experienced players approach the game.

The downside? Land-based casinos usually have higher minimum bets, and you might feel pressured to play faster than you’d like when the table is busy. Depending on the casino, you might not have access to your preferred version of roulette.

Tips for Playing Roulette for the First Time

Choose the Right Table

Finding the right table is crucial for an enjoyable roulette experience. Look for European or French roulette tables when possible – remember, these are the ones that give you better odds compared to American roulette. Also check the minimum and maximum bets to make sure they match your budget.

If you’re playing in a land-based casino, try to find a quieter table where you won’t feel rushed. Some casinos have “beginner-friendly” tables during off-peak hours where the staff is available to help new players learn the game.

Learn the Etiquette

In land-based casinos, there are some unwritten rules that help keep the game running smoothly. Wait until the dealer has finished paying out winners and removing losing bets before placing your chips. If you can’t reach the other side of the table to place your chips for a certain bet, just ask the dealer to do it for you – that’s part of their job.

Each player gets differently coloured chips to avoid confusion. When you’re done playing, remember to exchange your coloured roulette chips for regular casino chips before leaving the table. You can’t use roulette chips anywhere else in the casino.

Stay Responsible

Roulette is designed to be entertaining, but it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Set both a time limit and a money limit before you start playing, and stick to them no matter what. If you’re winning, consider setting aside your original stake and only playing with your winnings.

Take regular breaks to step away from the table. This gives you a chance to clear your head and check how long you’ve been playing. Not every session needs to be a winning one – as long as you’re playing within your means and enjoying yourself, you’re doing it right.

Start Your Roulette Journey with Confidence

Roulette doesn’t need to be complicated. Now you know the basics: picking the version of the game that can benefit you the most, understanding the different types of bets, and most importantly, how to play roulette responsibly.

Friendly reminder that roulette is primarily a game of chance. No strategy can guarantee wins, but smart bankroll management and sticking to your limits can help you have an enjoyable experience at the table. Start with outside bets until you’re comfortable with how the game works, then explore other betting options as your confidence grows.

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