How to Play Roulette

Roulette is a relatively slow-paced, leisurely game that has an air of sophistication and class about it. This slow pace is occasionally punctuated by moments of real excitement when people occasionally hit a longshot bet that wins them a decent amount of cash. Watching the little ball as it spins around that wheel can be pretty doggone fun, in fact. Learning how to play roulette is simplicity itself.

The Roulette Wheel

Roulette is played on a roulette wheel, which is usually about 3 feet around and has 38 numbered pockets in it. These pockets alternate red and black, and there are also two green pockets numbered "0" and "00". The wheel is laid out in a specific manner, balancing the high and low numbers, the odd and even numbers, and the red and black numbers.

A European roulette wheel only has 37 numbers, and only one "0". This gives the house less of an advantage. You can read more about that in the how to beat roulette section.

The Croupier and Action

The dealer at a roulette table is called a croupier. He spins the wheel counterclockwise and releases the ball in a clockwise motion. Where the ball lands determines who wins, based on what kind of bets were placed.

The roulette table is a long table with 38 numbers that correspond to the numbers on the roulette wheel. There is normally at least a $5 minimum bet. The bets are divided into outside bets and inside bets, and each bet has a specific payout.

Outside Bets

Outside bets are made on groups of numbers only, and they're called outside bets because of their position on the table compared to the inside bets' locations.

Red or black pays even money when the ball lands in the appropriate color.

Odd or even also pays even money.

Low or high pays even money too. Low is considered 1-18 and high is considered 19-36.

Columns pay 2 to 1, and your bet is placed on a column of 12 numbers. If any of the 12 numbers hit, your bet pays off.

Dozens also pays 2 to 1. These are bets on the numbers 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are made on specific numbers or combinations of numbers. They're called inside bets because of their placement on the roulette table.

Straight up bets are bets on a specific number. These bets pay out at 35 to 1.

Split bets are bets on 2 numbers that are adjacent to each other on the table layout. This bet pays 17 to 1 if you hit either number.

Street bets pay out at 11 to 1, and are bets that cover 3 numbers. This bet pays out if any of the 3 numbers hit.

Corner bets are also called square bets or quarter bets. This refers to a bet that covers 4 numbers, and it pays off at 8 to 1.

The five number bet is the worst roulette bet you can make, and there is only one combination for it. This bet covers both "0" and "00", and the 1, 2, and 3. The bet pays 6 to 1. In American roulette, this bet gives the house a 7.29% advantage, compared to the house advantage for all other bets, which is 5.26%.

Six number bets are also called line bets. This bet covers two adjacent rows of numbers and pays 5 to 1.

Be sure to also visit our how to beat roulette section for more about how to play roulette. Also you can visit our finnish friend over at Netticasinos.com and his finnish guide to Netti Ruletti.