How to Play Roulette: The Complete Step-by-step Guide for Beginners

Roulette is a fun game that's easy to understand and to play. Still, it is recommended that you learn about the table layout, the wheel, and how to bet before heading to the casino.

I'm sure you've seen the roulette games in action, either on a visit to a live casino or on television. It looks exciting and so much fun with the wheel spinning so seductively and the ball rolling on the track, and all the bets scattered all over the layout. 

It looks a lot more complicated than it is, and it's one of my favorite games to deal and play. 

Here's what you'll learn:

• What is Roulette
• The Roulette Table Layout Explained 
• Understanding the Roulette Wheel: American vs. European
• How to Play Roulette at the Online Casino (step-by-step)
• How to Play Roulette at the Live Casino (step-by-step)
• The Roulette Inside Bets
• The Roulette Outside Bets
• Does the House Always Have an Edge in Roulette
• Key Takeaways – Tips and tricks
• Roulette glossary
• Roulette - FAQs

Let's get started!

What is Roulette All About? 

Roulette is a table game that is played using a spinning wheel, a special table layout, and chips (either real or virtual). 

Your goal is to guess the winning number where the ball will land on the wheel by placing a bet on the layout. 

If your bet matches the winning number, you will get a payout according to the bet type that you've made - Straight Up, Split, Corner, Street, Six-line, or 5 Line/Basket.

There are various areas and ways of betting in roulette. Each of those comes with its own payouts and house advantage. More on that later. 

The European wheel and the layout both have identical red and black numbers from 1 to 36 plus a single zero, which is usually green. The standard American wheel has a double zero as well. Also note that there are some casinos with a Triple Zero roulette game. Avoid this game at all costs, but more about this later. 

When the dealer (a.k.a. the croupier) calls the number that the ball landed on, they will also name the color; so, for example, it would be 11 Black, or 32 Red. 

Interestingly, they never say 'Zero Green'

The Roulette Table Layout Explained 

This is the layout of an American Roulette wheel. As you can see, it has numbers 1 to 36, plus a 0 and a 00, for a total of 38 numbers. 

A standard European roulette wheel will only have the single 0, and therefore only 37 numbers.

Now, let's find out more about the Inside and Outside bets in Roulette:

Betting the Inside Numbers 

There are 6 different ways you can bet on the inside numbers. They can all be combined to maximize your odds of landing a winning number.

Here is a breakdown of all of them:

Straight up bet

A Straight Up is a bet directly on one number (any number), and if it hits, it pays 35 to 1.

For example, if you placed a $10 Straight Up bet on 17 and 17 hit, you would get a $350 payout. 

Split bet

A Split is a bet on the line between two adjacent numbers, and if either of them hits, it pays 17 to 1.

For example, you can place a $10 Split bet on the line between 11 and 14, and if either of those hits, you win $170. 

Corner bet

A Corner is a bet on the corner between four numbers, and pays 8 to 1 if any of them hit.

For example, you can place a $10 Corner bet on the table where numbers 14, 15,17, and 18 intersect. If the ball lands on any of them, you will get paid $80. 

Street bet

A Street is a bet on three consecutive numbers on the layout, and pays 11 to 1 if any of them hit.

Instead of placing your chips on each of the numbers, you place your bet at the intersection of column bets and the first number in the sequence. 

For example, if you want to bet $10 on 7,8, and 9, you would simply place your chip on the table as seen in the image below. If any of them hit, you will get paid $110. 

6-line bet

A 6-line is a bet on six consecutive numbers, which are actually two adjacent streets, and pays 5 to 1 if any of them hit.

Check out the image below to see how you can set up this bet, which is a bet on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 

5-Line / Basket / Trio Bet

On an American wheel, the 5-Line Bet (also known as the Top Line Bet) covers five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
It pays 6 to 1, but the House Advantage sits around 7.89% (almost 8%), making it one of the worst bets on the table.

On a European wheel, the same area of the layout covers only four numbers: 0, 1, 2, and 3, since there’s no double zero.
This version is called the Basket Bet (or sometimes the First Four Bet). It pays 8 to 1, with a House Advantage of about 2.7% -- the same as other inside bets on a single-zero wheel.

There’s also the Trio Bet, a three-number combination that includes at least one zero:

• On a European wheel, you can play 0-1-2 or 0-2-3. On an American wheel, the options are 0-00-2 or 00-2-3.

• It pays 11 to 1 and has a House Edge of about 5.26%.

Betting the Outside Numbers

Simply placing your bet in the designated area will mean you have locked it in.

For example, you can bet on all the black numbers by placing your bet into the area where the black diamond is located. 

Winning the bet pays even money – so, if you place $20 on Black, you get paid $20 in profit and get your $20 stake back (total $40), if any black number comes up.

Similarly, you can bet on:

• Red

• Even

• Odd

• Low (1-18)

• High (19-36)

All of these bets pay even money.

Then, there are the 2-to-1 bets. 

These include:

• 1st  dozen 

• 2nd dozen

• 3rd dozen 

• the columns 

All of those bets pay 2 to 1. 

For example, if you bet $20 and the winning number is in one of those groups, you get back $40, 

Understanding the Roulette Wheel - American vs. European 

There are 2 main types of roulette wheels that you can find at the casino:

1. American Roulette
2. European Roulette

Keep in mind, there are many other roulette variations available, such as Mini Roulette, Double Ball, Multi-wheel, and so on. 

 However, I recommend that you stick with the traditional ones, as they are the most common and generally have a lower house advantage. 

Let's explore both of them and the main differences between them:

American Roulette Wheel

 

As you can see, the zero and the double zero are on opposite sides of the wheel. 

The order of the numbers is standardized across all American roulette wheels, and they are in a different order compared to the numbers on a European (sometimes called French) wheel.

Nowadays, roulette wheels in land-based casinos are extremely well designed to very fine tolerances. In any sophisticated casino, they are routinely checked for balance and to ensure a completely random spin every time.

European Roulette Wheel

In some ways, the European wheel looks very similar to the American version. 

But look a little closer and you will notice that there is only one zero on a European wheel, and that the numbers are in a completely different order to the American wheel.

All the numbers on both wheels are set up to ensure that no section of the wheel is significantly higher or lower, or favors the odd or the even numbers, and they alternate between the red and black numbers consistently.

The order of the numbers isn't hugely significant, but having only one zero changes the house advantage (HA) by cutting it almost in half. This is very good for the players.

We'll get into why the House Advantage is important later.

How to Play Roulette at an Online Casino (step-by-step)

Roulette is a simple game, but it can take a while to get used to all the bets. 

Here is how you can play the game online in 5 simple steps:

Step 1: Choose a roulette online casino from our platform

Register as a player on the site, and deposit money using a debit or credit card. If the casino offers any roulette bonuses, take advantage of them. 

The cashier will display how much money you have in your bankroll.

Step 2: Open a roulette game and get ready to play

Choose your favorite roulette game and prepare to start your betting session. For this example, we will use the Nucleus Gaming American Roulette. You can try it for free on Chipy.

Step 3: Place your bet(s)

Decide where you want to place your bets, and then click on that area to place the chips.

Make sure you bet the desired amount exactly where you want it, as there are many options and the program is quite sensitive.

Once you have all your bets in place, click on 'Spin'.

Step 4: The online dealer spins the wheel 

Once the ball lands, the winning number is displayed and called by the dealer. 

The computer automatically takes all the losing bets and pays your winning bets straight into your balance.

Step 5: Time for another round!

Once the bets are paid, the online dealer resets the game, and you are invited to join a new betting round. 

How to play Roulette at a Land-based Casino (Step by Step) 

In land-based casinos, roulette is played similarly to its online counterpart. 

Still, there are a few extra things you need to know before you can immerse yourself in a roulette gambling session.

Here's how to play roulette in 4 simple steps:

Step 1: Choose the casino and the type of roulette you would like to play

The first thing you might be thinking is:

Is choosing the right casino and roulette layout really that important? Aren't all roulette games the same? 

Well, the answer is no. Not all roulette games are the same, and yes, it is more crucial than it seems. 

What is 'En Prison'?

It's a special rule found mainly on European or French roulette wheels and applies only to even-money bets. If the ball lands on zero, your stake is "imprisoned" for the next spin instead of being lost. If the next spin wins, you get your full stake back; if it loses, you lose it entirely.

A related rule, La Partage, works slightly differently: when zero hits, you immediately lose only half your stake, and the other half is returned to you. Some US casinos offer this La Partage-style rule and sometimes call it "surrender."

Both versions reduce the house edge on even-money bets to about 1.35 %, making them some of the best options you can find at the roulette table.

Step 2: The Buy In 

Place your money on the table after the dealer has paid out the winners and removed the dolly (check the glossary) for the current spin.

The dealer will take the money and ask you if you have a preferred color to play.

S/he will then give you the chips for you to play with.

Step 3: The Dealer Spins the Ball 

Once the players have started placing their bets, the dealer will spin the ball. 

Note that the dealer will continue to allow the players to make their bets even with the ball spinning. 

Step 4: The Dealer Calls 'No More Bets'

Once the dealer estimates that the ball has about 3 rotations to go, s/he will call 'No More Bets' and wave their hand over the layout to indicate that the betting for that spin is now closed. 

Any bets that come in after that will usually not be accepted and will be returned to the player.

Step 5: The Dealer Pays the Winners

The dealer calls the winning number, such as 4 Black, and places the dolly on the winning number. 

The dealer will then sweep away all the losing bets. 

Then he pays the winning outside bets, starting with the column and then moving up the layout from the bottom outside numbers to the top of the layout.

Then he will pay the winning inside bets on 17. Once he has finished paying all the winners, he will remove the dolly from the number. 

Value Chips vs Non-Value Chips

There are two types of chips in use at a roulette game. 

There are the usual 'value' chips that are in use at every table in the casino, and there are the 'non-value' chips that are unique to each specific roulette table. 

They are designed to help the dealer differentiate the bets of different players. 

Value Chip 

Note that it has its value written on it, and so it can be used at any table game in the casino, including Roulette.

Non-Value Chip 

Note that it has no value written on it, only a "star" or any other symbol the casino decides upon. In some cases, the chips have a letter written on it. 

This chip has no value away from its table. 

Each roulette table has up to seven different colors of non-value chips that the players can use. 

You decide which available color you want to play with, and the dealer will mark it up at the value that you request. 

Land-based vs. Online Roulette: The Main Differences

Online Roulette	Land-based Roulette
Faster gameplay	Slower gameplay
More convenient – play from home, your hotel room, a bar or club, etc	Must go to the casino, so interaction with the other players may be more fun
Can play from your phone, tablet, or laptop	Have to play at an available table
You can try the game for free	You can only play for real money
Can play multiple games	Only one game at a time
If you are unsure about a rule, you will have to check it yourself.	The dealer will help you if you have a question

Does the House always have an edge in Roulette?

The short answer is yes. The House Advantage (HA) is always working against you. 

Here's why the HA is important.

The HA determines how much the casino will win over the long run. The lower the HA, the better it is for you as a player.

How to calculate House Advantage Step-by-Step

You don't need to know how the HA is calculated, but if you're a numbers nerd like me, then here's how to calculate it:

1. There are 37 numbers on a European wheel. 
2. If you were to bet 1 chip on each number, you would win 35 on that winning number, plus keep your initial bet, for a total of 36 chips. There are 37 numbers (including the zero), so you lose 1 chip every spin. 
3. Divide the 1 by 37 and express that as a percentage, and you get 2.7%. That's the HA on a European wheel. 
4. There are 38 numbers on an American wheel. If you were to bet 1 chip on each number, you would win 35 on that winning number, plus keep your initial bet, for a total of 36 chips. 
5. There are 38 numbers (including the zero and the double zero), so you lose 2 chips every spin. 
6. Divide the 2 by 38 and express that as a percentage, and you get 5.26%. That's the HA on an American wheel – yes, almost double! 

And here's the 'Fools Rush in, Where Angels Fear to Tread' OR 'Why You Should Never Play a Game With Three Zeroes on the Wheel' tip:

In a brick-and-mortar casino, you may find a roulette wheel with 3 zeroes on it. Yes, I saw one at the Tropicana in Las Vegas a while ago. 

And if the Tropicana has it, then other casinos almost certainly do, as well. 

The HA on that is a whopping 7.69%. So always make sure you know what kind of game you're playing and make the best decision for yourself. 

And the math to support the numbers for the nerds:

There are 39 numbers on the Triple Zero wheel. If you were to bet 1 chip on each number, you would win 35 on that winning number, plus keep your initial bet, for a total of 36 chips. 

There are 39 numbers (including the zero, double zero, and triple zero), so you lose 3 chips every spin. 

Divide the 3 by 39 and express that as a percentage, and you get 7.69%. That's the HA on the Triple Zero wheel, almost 3 times as much as a standard European wheel. 

Make sure you choose the right game to play! 

9 Tips and Tricks on How to Win at Roulette

Here are 9 tips for playing roulette that I've learned over the years as a player, and by watching other experienced, successful players.

1. Know the Odds & Payouts

You have 3 Straight Ups and 3 Splits on the winning number, and the dealer gives you 156 chips for your winning bets. Is that payout correct? Are you sure? Check out our complete roulette odds and payouts guide to learn more.

2. Choose the Right Roulette Wheel

The best roulette game to play is the single zero European wheel game that includes the 'En Prison' rule or the La Partage rule.. The double zero wheel isn't necessarily bad, it's just not as good for you as the single zero one. 

3. Bet Smart 

Have a plan and stick to it. I've seen lots of guys who have told themselves 'It has to turn around, it has to!" Well, no, it doesn't. 

There is nothing that says the numbers you are betting must come up. It just doesn't work like that. 

There have been 6 Red numbers in a row, so Black must come up, right? 

Wrong! The ball and the wheel don't know what hit last spin, or five spins ago. And more importantly, they don't care. 

4. Use Bonuses 

Often, you will be offered a buy-in bonus on some of our roulette websites. Absolutely use any bonuses you are offered and take the money. 

5. Don't Put it All on Red 

Bet with your head, not over it. This heading refers to a guy who sold everything he had, including his clothes (!) and bet it all on Red at a Las Vegas casino. 

Not a smart decision (even though he did win!). 

6. Brush up on the Rules 

What happens if the dealer spins the ball and it flies out of the wheel? 

What if you and another player are both betting value chips, and both claim the same winning bet? 

Those are the sort of things that can happen, and you need to know what the casino is supposed to do about them.

7. Read Roulette Guides

Make sure you read the other guides in the Roulette Academy. There's a lot that you may not know. 

8. Stick to Your Bankroll 

Always have a plan. 

For example, I'm going to play with $100 and I'm going to win $100 or lose $100. And stick to it.

I can't tell you how many folks I've seen winning more than double or triple their buy-in, and keep playing, only to lose all their winnings and their initial buy-in back to the casino.

9. Practice on Free Roulette Games 

Here on Chipy, we offer a wide range of free roulette games. Take advantage of that and use them to practice until you feel comfortable with how roulette works. 

Once you are comfortable, start to play for real money. But always start with the minimum and play the even money outside bets until you really know your way around the layout.

Roulette Glossary 

Here are the most important roulette terms that you will often hear people using at the casino table:

Term	Definition
Canoes	The diamond shaped obstacles that are inside the wheel to intercept the ball, to make the spin more random.
Chips	The tokens that are used to make bets in a casino. There are the value chips(worth their face value), and there are the non-value chips that belong to a specific roulette table.
Dolly	The implement used to mark the winning number in Roulette.
Floater	Sometimes the ball will get hung up on the wheel and appear to float. It's actually spinning backwards at the same speed as the wheel, and just hangs there, unable to drop.
Frets	The metal dividers that form the pockets and separate the numbers on a Roulette wheel.
House Advantage(HA)	The amount the game is set up to win for the casino is expressed as a percentage of the initial bet.
Inside Bets	The numbers on the layout from 1 - 36, including the zero(es)
Layout	The felt covering on a gaming table.
Outside Bets	The Columns, the Dozens, and the Red, Black, Even, Odd, High, and Low betting areas on the layout.
Picture Bets	A faster way for the dealer to calculate the amount the player has won by using pre-determined picture keys.
Salad	The losing chips that cover the layout before the dealer clears them away.
Track	The part of the wheel where the dealer spins the ball.

Closing Thoughts 

There you have it - the complete guide on how to play roulette for beginners.

Roulette is a fun game to play, and now that you know the ins and outs of the game, you will be much more confident in your ability to play. My recommendation is to pick a roulette bonus from our collection and start your journey off on the right foot.

Hopefully, Lady Luck will have her head on your shoulder, but she won't have her hand in your pocket. Of course, you can always learn roulette strategies, test them out with the roulette strategy simulator, and maximize your winning chances.