Roulette is one of the most recognisable casino games. Its colourful wheel, numbered pockets and straightforward betting system make it an accessible choice for beginners.
But if you’re new to the game, you may have questions about how to play roulette, what the different bets mean and whether European or American roulette offers better odds.
NetBet Casino‘s brilliant blog covers the basic roulette rules, the most common bets, roulette odds, game variations and some useful considerations for anyone playing for the first time.
How Does Roulette Work?
The basic idea is simple.
A roulette wheel contains numbered pockets. The dealer spins the wheel and releases a small ball. Once the wheel and ball come to rest, the ball lands in one of the numbered pockets.
Before the spin, you place one or more bets on where you think the ball will land.
If the winning number matches your bet, you receive the relevant payout. If it doesn’t, the bet loses.
The number of pockets depends on the roulette variation.
European roulette has 37 pockets, numbered 0 to 36, while American roulette has 38, with both 0 and 00.
Roulette Rules for Beginners
A typical round works like this:
- Choose your stake.
- Select one or more bets.
- Place your chips on the corresponding areas of the roulette layout.
- The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball.
- Betting closes.
- The ball lands in a numbered pocket.
- Winning bets are paid according to the game’s payout table.
- The next round begins.
Online roulette follows the same basic concept, although an automated or software-based game may use RNG technology rather than a physical wheel. Live roulette uses a real wheel and dealer.
Roulette Bets Explained
One of the first things a beginner needs to learn is the difference between inside and outside bets.
Inside Bets
Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups of numbers.
Straight-up: Bet on one number.
Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers.
Street: Bet on three numbers in a row.
Corner: Bet on four numbers forming a square.
These bets generally offer larger payouts because they cover fewer numbers.
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover larger groups.
Red or black: Bet on the colour.
Odd or even: Bet on whether the winning number is odd or even.
1–18 or 19–36: Bet on the lower or higher half of the numbered range.
Dozens: Bet on 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36.
Columns: Bet on one of the three columns of numbers.
The more numbers your bet covers, the more frequently it can win, but the payout is generally lower.
What Are the Roulette Odds?
Roulette odds depend on the type of bet and the wheel being used.
For example, on a single-zero European roulette wheel, a straight-up bet on one number has a probability of 1 in 37, while a red/black bet covers 18 of the 37 pockets.
The standard house edge on most European roulette bets is approximately 2.70%.
American roulette has an additional 00 pocket, giving it 38 possible outcomes. Its standard house edge is approximately 5.26% on most bets.
This difference is one of the main reasons the roulette variation matters.
European vs American Roulette
The biggest difference between European vs American roulette is the extra zero.
| Feature | European roulette | American roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Number of pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Zeroes | 1 | 2 |
| Numbers | 0–36 | 0–36 + 00 |
| Standard house edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
European roulette generally offers better mathematical odds for the player because there is only one zero.
NetBet’s current offering of table-games selection includes European roulette titles, while its live casino offering includes live European roulette among its roulette games.
What Is French Roulette?
French roulette is another single-zero variation. It can feature rules such as La Partage, where an even-money bet that loses because the ball lands on zero may have half of the stake returned.
Under La Partage, the house edge on qualifying even-money bets can be reduced to approximately 1.35%.
The exact rules vary, so always check the individual game’s information before playing.
Roulette Strategies for Beginners
There is no strategy that can predict where the roulette ball will land.
However, beginners can make informed choices by understanding the mathematics of different bets and game variations.
One of the simplest considerations is the wheel itself. If choosing between otherwise similar games, a single-zero European roulette wheel has a lower house edge than a double-zero American wheel.
You can also choose between different types of bets depending on what you’re looking for. Outside bets cover more outcomes but generally pay less, while inside bets cover fewer outcomes and offer higher payouts.
Betting systems such as Martingale, Fibonacci and D’Alembert can change the size of your wagers, but they don’t change the underlying probability of the roulette wheel. A losing sequence cannot make the next spin “due” to win.
Does the Roulette Wheel Have a Memory?
No. If red has appeared several times in a row, that doesn’t mean black is now more likely on the next spin.
Each spin is an independent event. On a standard European wheel, every number has the same probability of appearing on each spin.
This is an important point for roulette beginners because previous results can create the illusion of patterns that don’t provide a mathematical advantage.
Online Roulette vs Live Roulette
Online roulette can be played in several formats.
RNG roulette uses software to generate the outcome, while live roulette uses a physical wheel operated by a real dealer and streamed to your mobile device.
NetBet currently offers both online roulette titles and a wide selection of brilliant live roulette games, such as Immersive Roulette from Evolution!
The choice largely comes down to your preferred playing experience, although the specific rules and betting limits should always be checked.
Start Playing Roulette at NetBet Casino!
Once you’re familiar with the roulette rules, you can explore the roulette games available at NetBet Casino IE.
You can also browse the wider range of table games or experience roulette with a real dealer through the live casino.
Before you begin playing, decide on a budget, take regular breaks and enjoy your gaming responsibly. NetBet Casino also offers a comprehensive range of Safer Gambling tools, including deposit limits, reality checks and cooling-off periods, helping players stay in control while enjoying their favourite games.
