Along with slots and blackjack, roulette is one of the three most popular casino games to play both online and at brick-and-mortar premises
Whether you are playing in a real-life casino premise or online you can be certain that roulette will be offered to players.
Certainly, online roulette casinos offer a wide selection of both RNG roulette games and live casino roulette games for players to choose from.
While it's a simple game to grasp, it's valuable for players to know the ins and outs of casino roulette and the various ways you can place bets which can affect the outcome of payouts and the state of play.
Roulette is an iconic casino table game played on a roulette table with a roulette wheel. The various betting options are set out on a grid across the roulette table and players bet on the number or colour of the pocket where the roulette ball will land on the wheel.
There are 37 numbered slots on European Roulette wheels; going from 1 to 36 along with a 0 slot. In American Roulette tables, there is an additional 00 slot making for a total of 38 numbered slots. This means that a player's odds are slightly worse playing American Roulette compared to European roulette.
The basic payout in roulette if you bet on red, black, odds, or evens, is 1:1. Depending on the type of bet you place in roulette the payout you can potentially win can be very different. For instance, a bet on a single number pays 35:1, including the 0 and 00.
Aside from understanding the betting system and how every type of bet pays out, there aren't any complex tricks to understanding roulette. Simply place your bet and once the wheel is spun wait to see where the ball lands.
There are several roulette variants, including European Roulette, American Roulette, and French Roulette, each with its own set of rules and characteristics. European Roulette has a single zero, while American Roulette has a double zero, which increases the house edge.
Understanding the differences between roulette variants is essential for players to choose the best game for their needs. Each variant has its own betting layout and rules, so players need to familiarize themselves with the specific game they are playing.
European Roulette table
European Roulette: European Roulette is the classic version of the game which operates with only one zero placement. It's the version of the game that is most favourable to players with French Roulette being a popular sub-variant of European Roulette. It is the variant of roulette that we recommend our readers choose when visiting casino sites.
French Roulette table
French Roulette: French Roulette is a European Roulette variant with special rules. These are En Prison and La Partage, both of these rules reduce the house edge thus creating favourable conditions for players.
American Roulette table
American Roulette: This is the roulette variant more frequently offered in brick-and-mortar casinos, but which is less prevalent online. American Roulette has a double zero, which increases the house edge and gives players slightly worse odds.
When playing online we suggest that you only play on European Roulette RNG games and live roulette tables and avoid the American variants as the only difference in play is this higher house edge which is of no benefit to the player.
The rules of roulette are simple. Players place their bets across the betting grid on the table and the dealer spins the wheel; (or in the case of online RNG roulette you place your bet and then click to spin the wheel).
The 36 numbered slots are split into black and red colours, with the 0 and 00 slots not adhering to any colour. The outcome of the game is determined based on the number and colour of the slot where the ball comes to rest on the wheel.
Players can also choose to bet on the ball landing in the 0 and 00 slots which pays out the same as an individual number, which is 35:1.
In live scenarios whether in brick-and-mortar casinos or online via live dealer roulette games, players can place bets until the dealer announces no more bets.
Bets on red or black, odd or even pay 1 for 1, or even money. So if you bet €5 on black and you win, you can expect to get €10 back for your trouble. So that's your €5 bet returned to you plus your €5 in winnings for having won the bet.
The odds of winning are a little less than fifty-fifty given the existence of the 0 spot (even less in American Roulette variants) with the odds of winning on red, black, even, or odd at a 47.37% chance of winning.
The odds of winning change depending on the type of bet you place. For instance, if you place a corner bet you have a 4 in 37 change in European Roulette (this is 4 in 38 for American Roulette) which amounts to a 10.8% chance of winning (and slightly less for American Roulette).
Likewise, a bit on a single number has a 1 in 37 chance of winning in European-style roulette games which has a 2.7% chance of winning on your spin.
Inside bets are types of bets that are placed on the inside of the betting grid on the roulette table. This includes any bets on a single number or a small group of numbers on the roulette table.
Inside bets have a higher payout but a lower chance of winning making them a riskier but attractive option for players.
Examples of inside bets include:
Straight Up/Single Bet: This is a bet on a single number. It's made by placing your chips directly on the square with the number you have picked. Single bets pay out 35 to 1.
Split Bet: A bet placed on two corresponding numbers that sit either vertically or horizontally next to each other. It's made by placing your chips on the line that separates both numbers. Split bets pay out 17 to 1.
Street Bet: A bet on three consecutive numbers on a horizontal line, such as 4, 5, and 6. To place your bet you must position your chips on the outside edge of the row in question. If the ball lands on any of the three numbers in the line you win the bet. Street bets pay out 11 to 1.
Corner Bet: A bet on four numbers that all meet on the same corner, for example, 1, 2, 4, and 5. The bet is made by placing your chips directly on the corner where the four numbers meet. Corner bets pay out 8 to 1.
Line Bet: Otherwise known as a six-line bet; this bet is made by placing your chips on the outside corner of the first two numbers in each horizontal line you are betting on. So, for example, if you bet on spots 1 - 6 you would place your chips on the outside corner where 1 and 4 meet. A six-line bet pays out 5 to 1.
Basket Bet: This bet is available in some versions of American Roulette and is a bet placed over 5 numbers. A basket can be made by placing your chip on the lower left corner that separates the 0 and 1 spots. Basket bets pay out 6:1.
Outside bets are placed on the outer edges of the betting grid. These types of bets include bets on red, black, odds, and evens, as well as larger groups of numbers such as the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd twelves and high or low numbers.
Outside bets are less risky than inside bets but offer lower rewards.
Red or Black: This is one of the simplest bets you can make in roulette. It can be made by placing your chips on either the red or black diamond on the outer edge of the betting board. Players win when the ball lands on any spot that has their chosen colour. Colour bets pay out 1 to 1.
Odds: Players can bet on all of the odd numbers on the roulette wheel. This is similar to a colour bet, and you will be able to see that there is an odd option usually located on one side of the red and black diamonds on the outside of the betting grid. Odds bets pay out 1 to 1.
Evens: The same as an odds bet except for even numbers. You can usually find the even option on the other side of the colour diamonds to the odd option. Should the ball land on any of the even numbers on the wheel you will win your bet. Even bets pay out 1 to 1.
Column Bet: A bet that is placed on one of the three vertical columns that run down the length of the betting grid. There are three options for a column bet on the board with the first option being 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34. Column bets pay out 2 to 1.
Dozen Bet: A bet that can be placed on the first; 1-12, (Premiere douzaine), second; 13-24 (Moyenne douzaine), or third group; 25-36 (Derniere douzaine) of 12 numbers. You win if the ball lands on any of the dozen numbers you have picked. Dozen bets pay out 2 to 1.
High and Low: High and low bets are outside bet options where players can either bet on the lower range of numbers (1-18) or higher range of numbers (19-36) on the betting grid. Players place their bets by placing their chips on the High or Low square on the outside of the betting grid. High or low bets pay out 1 to 1.
Snake bet: This is a special bet that covers the numbers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34 and is named for the coiling, snakelike pattern that it traces across the betting grid. Snake bets tend not to be allowed in all casinos or online casino roulette games. This bet is represented by placing your chips on the lower left corner of the 34 spot on the betting grid. Snake bets pay out 2:1 similar to a dozen bet.
In addition to the above bets, French Roulette offers a special series of grouped bets sometimes known as neighbour bets. These take place on a separate betting grid known as the racetrack where the number placement mimics that of the roulette wheel.
While the basic rules remain the same as the European variant, French Roulette includes additional rules that give players a second chance to win back some of their money even if they've lost their initial bet. These include the En Prison rule and the Le Partage rule.
La Partage rule: La Partage is the main rule that sets French Roulette out as unique when compared to other roulette variants.
It is a common rule in traditional European casinos and you will often find it offered by live dealer roulette games and of course, any casino roulette games that are specifically advertised as French Roulette.
Under the La Partage rule, if a player makes an even-odds bet (red/black, even/odd, high/low) and the spin lands on a zero, the player only loses half their bet and gets to keep the other half. So for instance, if you make a €10 bet on red and the outcome is 0 you will get €5 of your bet back instead of losing your full wager.
This rule only applies to even-odds bets and not to any other types of bets you make on the table; that means all types of inside bets and several outside bets such as column and dozen bets do not benefit from the La Partage rule.
En Prison rule: This is a variation of the La Partage rule which allows players to try and win back their full bet or you can choose to stick to the La Partage rule and get back half your bet.
If you choose to employ the En Prison rule instead of getting half your stake back, the dealer will keep your bet in place for the next spin with a chance for you to get back your whole bet on the next spin.
If your bet wins you only get your stake back and it will not pay out any win that you may have received had you won on your first spin. If the bet loses on the second spin that is the end of play and the bet is lost.
In the case where it lands on zero a second time, your bet stays En Prison for another spin until there is either a win or a loss. Under the rules of En Prison you can only either win back your bet or lose it entirely.
Both La Partage and En Prison operate only on these even-odds type bets where you have a 47.37% chance of coming out successful.
The house edge is the built-in advantage that the casino has over the player which affects any bets in roulette that players may place. By design casino games will always be skewed in a casino's favour and any players looking to beat roulette would be best advised to remember the casino's advantage.
House edge varies depending on the roulette variant and type of bet. American Roulette has a larger house edge than European Roulette which is why we recommend that players always choose the European and French variants when they are available.
Roulette is a unique game in that the house edge changes depending on the bet you make with the house edge going up when you make more and more complex bets.
Always make sure you understand the different bet types at play before placing any wagers and make informed decisions on how the house edge may affect your chances of landing winning bets.
Once you've learned the basics of roulette, you might want to apply your skills at online tables — new players can check out the LiveScore Bet Casino sign-up offer when trying their selection of roulette variations.
There are several betting strategies that players can use to manage their bets and increase their chances of winning.
Examples of betting strategies include the Martingale system, the Fibonacci system, and the D'Alembert system. The reliability and success of these systems are debatable and we do not recommend that our readers place too much trust in utilising these betting systems to increase their odds of success.
The Martingale system is a well-known betting strategy in roulette where each time a player loses a bet, they double their wager on their next next, with the idea being that eventually when they do land a win the profit from that win will cover everything that has been previously staked.
It is frequently touted as a strategy for recovering your losses but its effectiveness is dubious at best. Some players may claim that it leads to short-term wins but there's no guarantee that a player will land a win at all; especially if you have placed a single number bet.
More importantly, the martingale system does not overcome the house edge and your chances of winning do not increase with each subsequent spin so what you're left doing is actually just making bigger and bigger bets on the same odds as your first spin.
Eventually in theory you may land a win but more likely than not you will hit the maximum table limits or run out of available funds faster if you try to use this betting "strategy".
We can say with confidence that this is not a good strategy for roulette as it has you chasing your losses and we do not recommend that any player try this tactic no matter what some other sites or experts may tell you.
This betting system uses the Fibonacci sequence to determine the size of your bets. On losing bets, you are meant to increase your bet by adding together the amount of the two previous bets after each loss until a win after which you reset the sequence and start all over again.
Like the Martingale system, proponents of the Fibonacci betting system claim that this strategy helps to recover losses and eventually make a profit.
Again, we must warn our readers that this is less of a sound mathematical strategy than it is a way of encouraging you to part with more and more of your money.
If you were to employ the Fibonacci system you would start with a €5 bet, and on a loss add €5 for a total of €10; that then becomes €15, then €25 and so on and on without any reduction in the house edge or guarantee of winning.
Like the other betting systems that we have mentioned above, the D'Alembert system works by increasing the size of your wager on losing bets and decreasing the wager on a win.
The D'Alembert system is designed to only work on even-odds bets (red/black, even/odd, high/low) and operates by players setting an amount of money as a unit bet, €1 for instance. In this system, players increase the bet by one unit any time they lose, and they decrease the unit after every win.
The theory is that over time this system should even out your bets but again as with any of these so-called betting systems the house edge remains the same and there is no guarantee of success simply by choosing to use this system.
Roulette strategy is theory is all well and good, but it shouldn't take priority over good practices that can mitigate your losses and help make the most of your wins. This of course involves managing your bankroll.
Setting a budget and sticking to it is essential to playing roulette successfully. When you lose money always have a limit to how much you are willing to spend to try and win it back and stop when you reach that limit.
Make sure you know the minimum and maximum bets on any roulette variant you plan on playing so you can budget accordingly.
You should never chase losses and always be aware that the casino's advantage or house edge over players will always beat any betting strategy. Always consider the house advantage and how it affects your chances of winning.
Set limits on how much you are willing to bet, spend, and even how long you're willing to play for and stick to those self-imposed limits; it may feel fun to chase a streak and play for a bit longer however in the long run it's better to gamble responsibly and stick to a clear budget.
Roulette table etiquette is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable game within real-life casino premises; however good roulette table etiquette also translates well to a better experience when logged into live casino roulette.
The main piece of table etiquette should be to always treat the dealer and other players at the table with respect.
Before you play roulette at a table make sure that you understand the rules, the roulette layout and betting options before placing a bet. When playing in person you should not touch or handle other players' bets or roulette chips.
Playing roulette online is a convenient and accessible way to enjoy the game in a way that is seamless and convenient. The best online casino sites offer a large variant of RNG and live dealer roulette games with many variants being among the most popular casino games on the site.
Most random-number-generator online roulette games are simply generic versions of American, European, and French roulette games but there are also a few branded roulette games that are popular with Irish players such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire Roulette and Immortal Romance Roulette.
Immortal Romance Roulette follows the European roulette layout while Who Wants to be a Millionaire Roulette funnily enough follows the American layout. RNG roulette follows at the player's pace; you play alone with the dealer or any other players and once you have placed your bets you click to spin the wheel when you're ready.
RNG roulette is known for introducing unconventional gameplay mechanics that wouldn't be possible in a real-world setting such as Multifire Roulette which introduces random multipliers to the roulette board which can drastically change the potential outcome of a specific bet.
There is also Multiwheel Roulette where, depending on the specific game, players can place play across up to eight roulette wheels at once.
RNG roulette tends to offer the lowest minimum bets in the industry even lower when compared to live casino roulette.
Without a doubt, live dealer roulette is the most popular way to play the game online. Irish players are particularly fond of live casino roulette and you'll find that nearly all roulette casino sites in the Republic offer a large selection of live dealer tables 24 hours a day.
Roulette rules remain the same for live casino variants with players placing their bets using an interactive betting grid. A real dealer broadcasting from a studio or sometimes even a real brick-and-mortar casino calls bets and spins the wheel the same as in a real-world scenario.
You can interact with the dealer and other players through live chat and even if you decide to sit out a round other players logged into the game will continue to play roulette in real time. Many players value the authenticity of the experience feeling it's as close as possible to a real casino experience without ever setting foot inside one.
This makes it an attractive option for roulette players who may not live near a physical casino premise.
Live casino roulette offers the highest maximum bet limits you can find when you play roulette online which is another reason why it is such a popular option among online players.
There aren't many surefire tips we can give you about playing roulette beyond familiarising yourself with the roulette rules, especially around the odds and payouts for different types of bets.
Make sure to set a budget with a hard maximum limit for what you're willing to spend before you start playing.
Try as best as you can to mitigate the risks when playing online by betting lower amounts rather than trying to chase big wins.
Also get to know the benefits of even money bets such as red or black, odd/even, or high low. While the payout might be lower at 1:1 there are high chances of landing a winning bet thanks to the high range of spots or numbers.
There are similar benefits to utilising column bets especially if you decide to place bets on two columns; this allows you to spread the range of potential winning numbers on the board; while the payouts may not be as large it does help to lower the risks involved.
Here are some of the top frequently asked questions about how to play roulette:
If you bet €100 on black and win, you receive an even-money payout (1:1 payout). You get your original €100 back plus €100 in winnings, for a total of €200.
Even though there is no one safe bet in roulette, the even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1-18/19-36) are considered the "safest" as they cover nearly half the wheel and have the highest probability of winning (48.65% for European roulette).
Maximum bets vary significantly by casino and table, but the table limits are always posted. High-limit tables might allow €10,000-€50,000 or more on outside bets. VIP rooms in major casinos can have even higher limits.
On zero, all even-money outside bets (red/black, odd/even, 1-18/19-36) lose unless the casino offers "la partage" or "en prison" rules. Straight-up bets on zero pay 35:1.
Place bets before the dealer announces "no more bets" and waves their hand over the table. This typically happens just before or as the ball slows down on the wheel.
