Roulette is an ageless and timeless casino game that has captivated gamblers for centuries. It is characterized by the iconic spinning wheel, the suspenseful click of the ball, and the adrenaline rush that occurs as the ball settles into a pocket. 

The casino game is top-rated because the rules are simple, and players can bet based on how much risk they want to take. Because of this, the odds can be as low as 1:1 or as high as 35:1. If your numbers come in, the bigger the reward, the bigger the risk.

Now, the classic game is even more popular in the online gambling realm– with many various types of roulette games available to entertain gamblers. 

Are you unfamiliar with roulette? Sure, the game can seem intimidating and complex. But no worries, this article will provide a comprehensive roulette guide for beginners. We will explain to you the rules, bets, and odds. Let’s transform you into a confident roulette player. Let’s go!

Roulette Guide: How the Roulette Wheel Works

The wheel in roulette is a big part of the game of chance called roulette. The pockets on the wheel are numbered and alternate between red and black. There is a green pocket that has either a single zero (for European roulette) or a double zero (for American roulette). 

Depending on the version, there are either 37 or 38 pockets on the wheel because the numbers on it go from 1 to 36.

People look forward to when the dealer drops the ball on the spinning wheel. The winning number and color are based on where the ball lands at the end, which affects the players who bet on that outcome.

Are you used to playing the roulette offline? No worries; the basics and rules of the game are the same as when you play online roulette.

Roulette Bets Guide: Inside and Outside Bets

Knowing the difference between inside and outside bets in roulette games is essential. Let’s understand them.

Inside Bets in Roulette

When you make an inside bet, you bet on specific numbers or groups of numbers in the grid of numbers on the wheel. Most of the time, these bets pay out more, but the odds of winning are lower.

• Straight bet: You only pick one number when you bet on a straight. The payout is the biggest, but the odds of winning are the worst.
• Split bet: When you place chips on the line between two numbers next to each other, you make a split bet.
• Street Bet: Putting chips at the end of a row of three numbers to bet on them.
• Corner Bet: When you place your chips where four numbers meet to make a square, you make a corner bet.
• Six-Line Bet: Putting chips at the ends of two rows of numbers next to each other to bet on them.

Outside Bets in Roulette

On the other hand, outside bets are bets on bigger events, like what color the pocket is or whether the winning number is odd or even. There are higher odds to win these bets, but the payouts are smaller.

• Red/Black Bet: Betting whether the number wins will be red or black.
• Odd/Even Bet: This is a bet on whether the number that wins will be odd or even.
• Low/High Bet: You can bet on a low or high number to win. A low number is between 1 and 18, and a high number is between 19 and 36.
• Dozen Bet: With a dozen bet, you bet that the winning number will be in the first (12), second (13–24), or third (25–36) dozen.
• Column Bet: If you bet on a column, you guess whether the winning number will be in the first, second, or third column.

House Edges in Roulette: European Vs. American Roulette

Knowing the house edge in roulette is very important because it affects your chances of winning. The house edge is the edge that the casino has over the players. It is built into the game itself. 

The house edge in European roulette, which has only one zero, is about 2.70 percent. However, the house edge goes up to about 5.26% in American roulette because it has a double zero.

The difference may not seem like much, but it dramatically affects the chances of winning. European roulette is a slightly better game for people who are just starting out.

European Roulette Must Know Rules: “En Prison” and “La Partage”

Two rules in European roulette can help the player, which makes the game more interesting.

• En Prison: A player doesn’t lose their even-money bet immediately if the ball lands on zero (red/black, odd/even, low/high). It is “imprisoned” for the next spin instead. The player gets their original bet back if the bet wins on the next spin. If it loses, the house takes the bet.
• La Partage: If the ball lands on zero, like in En Prison, the player gets back half of the even-money bet. With this rule, the house edge on even-money bets is cut even more.

These rules give European roulette players an extra level of strategy and some protection against losing even-money bets.

Roulette Odds and Payouts: Making Informed Choices

The odds in roulette are based on the possible outcomes and the numbers bet on. If you know how to figure this out, you can get an edge at the table and find the roulette games that pay out the most. 

How likely you are to win at roulette depends on what you bet. The game does, however, have a set house edge for each type of bet. This advantage for the house in roulette is based on the number of extra zero pockets and the payout for each bet. There is only one zero pocket in European roulette, but there are two in American roulette. Both are green.

The house has an edge over all bets in roulette equal to the number of green pockets on the wheel. This means that the house edge in roulette is always the same, no matter what kind of bet you make. This is why it’s essential to choose the right version. Bets on a straight line will pay 35:1 in both European and American versions, while bets on 18 numbers outside the straight will pay 1:1.

Roulette Payout Chart

(Source: Technopedia)

Roulette Guide Conclusion

There’s your roulette guide for beginners! Now that you have a firm grasp of the rules, bets, odds, and a healthy dose of caution regarding betting strategies, you can confidently take your place on the roulette floor. The rules of both American roulette and its more refined European counterpart are identical.

Roulette is more than just a game; it’s an adventure where strategy, chance, and the unknown all come together. So, sit back, spin the wheel, and enjoy the enchantment of roulette. Have fun spinning!