Roulette Strategy Play: How-To Guide
Roulette stands as one of the most popular games of chance next to blackjack and can be traced back to the 18th century as one of the easiest table games to learn. Created by mathematician Blaise Pascal further adds emphasis on how popular the game has become through strategy play on online platforms.
Roulettes’ simplicity paired with excitement makes it a favourite in both land-based and online casinos. If you are new to roulette or looking to brush up on your skills, read this Casino Legends – How to Play Roulette guide.
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How to Play Roulette – 3 Steps
Roulette is a game of chance that involves a spinning wheel and a betting table. The wheel contains numbered pockets, while the betting table allows players to place their bets on various outcomes. To play, participants place their bets on numbers, colours, or even groups of numbers. Follow the gameplay, understand the odds, and know the different types of bets before getting started.
Choose Your Bet Type
Roulette offers a wide range of betting options, providing players with a variety of options to wager on specific numbers, colours, odds/even, and more. Common bets to place after the dealer has spun the wheel include the following.
- Straight – Wager on a single number
*Straight number bets pay 35:1 ‘2.78% chance of winning’* - Split – Bet on two adjacent numbers by splitting your chips between two numbers
*Split bets provide odds of 17:1 ‘5.56% chance of winning* - Corner – Bet on four separate numbers that make up a square
*Corner bets cover 4:37 ’10.8% chance of winning in French Roulette* - Even Money (50/50) – Bet on colour or odds and even,
*Even money bets provide just below a 50% chance of the bet winning*
Understand the Odds to Determine Your Win
Odds determine your chances of winning and play a vital role in the potential size of your winnings. For example, straight bets offer the highest payouts yet have the lowest odds of winning (2.78%) whereas even money bets provide the best odds of winning (+-50%) yet have the lowest potential payouts.
To calculate your winning probability, simply divide the number ‘36’ by the number of pockets your bet covers and then subtract ‘1’ from the total – For example, 36 ÷ 4 – 1= 8 ‘8 to 1’.
Gameplay
After placing your bet according to your chosen odds and bet type the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in an opposite direction. If the ball lands on your number or colour you win your bet, if not, you can place another bet.
Roulette Table Layouts – Variation Differences
Part of Roulette’s allure lies in the different variations and how each type can offer different advantages to players with varied skill levels. Depending on your chosen variation of roulette, the table and wheel may differ slightly in terms of pockets (37/38) and zero pockets (1-3). In essence, only the pocket numbers, odds, and zero pockets play a role in different variations.
American Roulette
American roulette encompasses all traditional elements of roulette yet with a few rule tweaks and layout changes.
- Table and Wheel Layout – American roulette features an additional ‘00’ pocket on the wheel which increases the total number of pockets to 38. Furthermore, the American roulette table features the same traditional table layout with similar inside and outside bets. The additional pocket increases house edge up to 5.26%, which doubles the advantage towards the casino.
- Difference in Roulette Rules – American roulette follows standard roulette rules with the added inclusion of the ‘Surrender’ rule where you can recoup half of your wager if the ball lands on either the ‘0’ or ‘00’ pocket.
*Important to know – American roulette has a higher house edge of up to 5.26% due to the additional ‘00’ pocket which in essence doubles the advantage towards the house*
French Roulette
French roulette encompasses all traditional elements of roulette together with a single ‘0’ pocket providing a lower house edge alternative to American roulette.
- Table and Wheel Layout – French roulette features a single ‘0’ pocket providing a lower house edge alternative to American roulette. The wheel layout consists of numbers 1 to 36 in standard black and red bet colours of which there are x18 of each.
- Difference in Roulette Rules – French roulette is famous for its unique La Partage rule which comes into play when the ball lands on the zero pocket. If you have placed an even-money bet, half of the wager is returned to you.
*Important to know – French roulette’s inclusion of only a single ‘0’ pocket lowers house edge as low as 1.35% vs 5.26% in American Roulette.
Triple Zero Roulette
Triple zero roulette features an additional pocket with the number ‘000’’ on top of the addition of a ‘0’ and ‘00’ pocket.
- Table and Wheel Layout – Triple Zero roulette possesses the same table and wheel combination as European roulette with the added ‘000’ green pocket. The table, wheel, and betting options go unchanged from other variations.
- The Difference in Roulette Rules – Triple Zero Roulette’s inclusion of x3 green pockets makes for a big change in odds, yet not in rules, as there are no additional rules such as with ‘La Partage’ in French or ‘Surender’ in American roulette to assist with the ‘000’ pocket.
*Important to know – The ‘000’ pocket in Triple Zero Roulette increases the house advantage from 5.26% in American roulette to 7.69% and changes the probabilities of certain outcomes, requiring players to approach their betting strategies with caution*
Find your preferred roulette variation with Casino Legends approved online casinos.
Betting Options – Inside vs Outside Bets
Understanding the different bet types and payout vs odds for each is vital for a positive roulette experience. One of the fundamental distinctions to grasp is the difference between inside and outside bets that are available in most varieties of the roulette game. Categorized between inside and outside bets each bet option within these categories has its own odds and potential roulette payouts that cater to different risk preferences.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers within the main grid of numbers on the roulette table and include bet types such as straight, split, corner, street, and six-line bets.
| Inside Bet Type | Factors | Potential Roulette Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up bet | Any single number Examples – 1, 16, 20, 32, etc |
35 to 1 |
| Split Bet | Two adjacent numbers Examples 24 + 23, 12 + 11, 30 + 29 |
18 to 1 |
| Street Bet | Three adjacent numbers on the table Examples – 3 + 2 + 1 or 18 + 17 + 16 |
11 to 1 |
| Corner Bet | Two numbers next to each other on the table Examples – 18 + 21 or 16 + 20 |
8 to 1 |
| Six Line Bet | Two adjacent rows of 6 numbers Examples – 18,17,16 + 21,20,19 |
5 to 1 |
Important to know – The odds of winning inside bets are lower compared to outside bets, but the potential payout size is higher.
Outside Bets
Outside bets are placed on the outer sections of the roulette table covering larger groups of numbers and include bets such as red or black, odd or even, high or low, column, and dozen.
| Outside Bet Type | Factors | Potential Roulette Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red or Black | Bet between a red or black pocket | 1 to 1 |
| High or Low | Predict on numbers between 19 to 36 as high or 1 to 18 as low | 1 to 1 |
| Even or Odd | Wager on even or odd numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Dozen Bet | Numbers 1 to 12 as the first dozen, 13 to 24 as the second dozen, and 25 to 36 as the third dozen | 2 to 1 |
| Column Bet | Bet on whether the ball will stop in a specific column | 2 to 1 |
Important to know – Outside bets carry lower risk, making them the perfect betting options for beginners looking to take less risk and won’t mind lower payout rates.
How to Choose a Bet Type?
Inside bets offer the allure of significant payout rates, yet they come with lower odds of winning which may cause larger losses. While hitting an inside bet can result in an exhilarating win, it’s also more likely to result in a loss. Outside bets provide higher odds of winning, yet the payouts are modes in comparison. Outside bets are considered best for beginners while inside bets can be indulged in after you have gained significant experience in the game.
Placing a Bet – Step-By-Step Guide
Now that you have a thorough understanding of the game of roulette, how to choose a bet type, odds, and game variations, it is time for a quick recap to assist in your first bet and how to find the perfect platform.
- Step 1 – Choose a Casino Legends approved roulette platform with free roulette to first get accustomed to the gameplay
- Step 2 – Understand the different bet types – Narrow down your preferred bet types that suit your risk preference. If you are a beginner, we advise starting with outside bets for less chance of losing your bets.
- Step 3 – Place your bet – Place your inside or outside bet accordingly with the roulette variety you have chosen
- Step 4 – Wait for the dealer/croupier to spin the wheel and wait for the results
- Step 5 – Choose to place another bet or move on to a different variation.
Roulette Odds – Probability Vs Odds
In roulette, there are different types of bets which we have discussed in this guide thoroughly, each with its own set of odds and potential payout ratios. The most distinctive way to look at odds is to compare their inside and outside bet counterparts to make informative wagers.
Inside Bet Roulette Odds
Inside bets provide a weaker odds percentage than outside bets, which in essence provide larger potential wins yet less chance of winning, with the highest chance of winning being with a six-line inside bet.
| Inside Bet Type | Potential Payout Odds | Probability – American Roulette | Probability – European Roulette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up bet | 37 to 1 | 2.6% | 2.7% |
| Split Bet | 18 to 1 | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Street Bet | 11 to 1 | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| Corner Bet | 8 to 1 | 10.5% | 10.8% |
| Six Line Bet | 5 to 1 | 15.8% | 16.2% |
Outside Bet Roulette Odds
Outside bets are considered beginner-friendly bets as they provide a greater chance of winning. Betting on red or black provides you a very decent 1 to 1 potential payout which is in odds of almost 50%.
| Outside Bet Type | Potential Payout Odds | Probability – American Roulette | Probability – European Roulette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red or Black | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 48.65% |
| High or Low | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 48.37% |
| Even or Odd | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 48.37% |
| Dozen Bet | 2 to 1 | 31.6% | 32.4% |
| Column Bet | 2 to 1 | 31.6% | 32.4% |
House Edge and its Involvement in Roulette Odds
House edge represents the advantage the casino holds over the player in a game of roulette. The advantage of the house edge results in lower odds of winning for the player and affects the potential payouts as shown below.
Example – A bet on a single number ‘single number inside bet’ provides a payout of 35 to 1 ’25:1”. This means that a £10 bet would result in a £350 payout. However, due to the presence of the green zero pockets ‘1 in European roulette’ and ‘2 in American roulette’ the actual odds of winnings are lower.
Best Roulette Strategies to Try
A roulette strategy stands as a sequence of numbers or progressions that provide a predetermined decision on what to wager on your next bet. Depending on your level of experience you may want to opt in for a strategy that is more beginner-friendly or take a chance with a risky high bankroll strategy.
Some online casinos may not permit the use of some of these strategies when noticed, consider casino rules and guides when indulging in strategies.
Find your next strategy below.
Martingale
The martingale roulette strategy is the perfect option for beginner players who are looking for a riskier strategy. Simply double your bet after every loss to try and recoup losses and gain a few extra winning wagers. After a win, go back to your starting wager amount. Although this roulette strategy may prove to be a viable option, it requires a large bankroll to withstand successive losses and some online roulette variants may have betting limits making it impossible to work into your playing technique.
*Example – Bet £1, if you lose, bet £2, if you lose again, bet £4, if you lose bet £8, if you win the fourth bet, your next bet should only be £1*
Important Tip – Although the martingale strategy is concisely used by roulette players it can sometimes go against basic responsible gambling measures and should only be used if you can stick to your predetermined bankroll limit.
D'Alembert
Based on the principle of equilibrium, this roulette strategy requires you to increase your bets with every loss, yet other than with martingale, you only increase by one unit ‘£1’ instead of doubling your wager amount. Furthermore, if you win a bet it is recommended to lower your wager amount by one unit.
Example – Bet £1, if the bet is lost increase your next bet to £2, if you win the bet go back to a £1 bet.
Important tip – As with many strategies, the d’Alembert strategy can result in a losing streak. Play responsibly and quit your roulette session.
Fibonacci Sequence
The Fibonacci sequence requires you to place your bets based on the Fibonacci sequence – a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. In essence, every first two bets make up the sum of your next bet if you lose.
Example – Bet £1, if you lose bet £2, if you lose again bet £3 (2+1), if you lose again bet £5 (3+2), If you lose this bet wager £8 (5+3), if you win this bet simply go back two numerical pairs back (£3).
The Fibonacci sequence – 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144
Parlay
The parlay strategy simply requires you to go in the opposite direction as the Martingale system by doubling your bet when you win and lowering your bet when you lose. This is the perfect strategy for why you are on a winning streak, as your wins could become substantially big.
Example – Bet £1, if you lose bet £1 again, if you win, bet £2, if you win again bet £4, if you lose the next bet wager $2.
Important tip – As this strategy can reach high wager amounts it is advised to set a bet limit until you become accustomed to the technique.
Double Street Quad
With the double street quad roulette strategy, there is no need to progress to larger wagers as you move on in the game. Simply put, this technique is purely designed for roulette and requires you to wager on both a double street and corner bet, as well as an additional straight bet.
Example – Place two street bets that cover either 12 numbers over two lines, or 4 rows consisting of 3 numbers on each row. Then place a corner bet that covers 4 numbers. Lastly, place a standard straight bet on any number between 1 – 35.
To see how you can use some of these strategies in Blackjack, see the Casino Legends blackjack strategies and how-to guide.
FAQ: Roulette Rules
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How do you choose the right roulette table?
Different roulette table variations present different odds for the overall spread over possible betting options. For example, American roulette provides less chance of placing a winning bet due to the additional zero pocket on the table, whereas European roulette provides close to 50% winning chance on a straight bet, making the house edge vs player win potential a near-even match.
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How do you assess your chances of winning ‘odds’ at roulette?
By using a roulette odds calculator or simply calculating the odds yourself you can easily find your potential win. To calculate your potential odds and payout percentage simply divide 35 by the number of pockets you cover in your bet, then subtract 1 from the answer. For example, 36 ÷ 2 = 18 – 1= 17 ‘17 to 1’
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What are the most probable or highest-paying roulette bets?
Outside bets including red or black, high or low, even or odd, dozen bet, or column bet, provide the best odds (up to 48% winning chance), yet only provides small wins. Whereas inside bets provide less chance of winning, yet large win amounts. Make an informed decision around your risk preference when playing roulette.
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How many roulette variations are there?
There are many different variations of roulette. The most popular being American, European, and French roulette. Other variations include mini roulette, ripple zero roulette, multi-wheel roulette, and more. Consider odds and table formats of different variations for the best roulette experience.