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How to play Roulette: The ultimate guide

A simple, jargon-busting guide to playing one of the world’s favourite casino games.

What is roulette? A quick introduction

If you’ve never stepped foot in a casino, played at one of William Hill Vegas’s  online roulette tables or seen a James Bond movie, then we’ll cover this quickly. Roulette is a game of a chance where a wheel with numbered sections spins at high speed. A ball is then added and will eventually land randomly on one of the numbered sections as the wheel comes to a stop. Players bet on where the ball will land. It’s as simple as that.

Roulette is a casino staple. Whether you’ve seen a couple of James Bond films or you’re an online casino regular, it’s impossible to miss the giant wheel that can draw some of the biggest crowds on the gaming floor. Unlike card games, there’s something that is a little bit more exciting about the black and red (and green) wheel of fortune.

In this handy guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about roulette and explain how this exciting, unique and sometimes intense game can be great fun. We’ll also include some handy tips to play roulette the right way.

Playing online roulette is simple. But, before we dive into the details of this game, let’s take a quick look at the order of play.

  1. Decide on the amount you would like to bet – you can often just click the layout to add chips from your bankroll
  2. Select inside or outside bets of your choice
  3. Once all bets have been placed, the wheel starts spinning and the ball is spun in the opposite direction.
  4. When the ball comes to rest in one of the wheel’s pockets, the dealer will announce the winning number and colour
  5. Any winnings are paid out and added to your William Hill account

The objective of roulette

The objective of roulette, as we’ve mentioned, is to guess which number or colour the ball will land on when it is spun around the wheel. Betting takes place using casino chips, with a big board known as the layout containing a table full of numbers, colours, odd or even, and other betting options. Just place your chips on the sections on the board and wait to see where the ball lands!

You can bet on:

  • An outright number (place your chip on the number)
  • Several numbers (by placing your chip on the edge or corner of the number’s box)
  • Odd or even
  • Black or red
  • High value or low value
  • Zero(es)
  • Groups of numbers (usually in thirds)

Roulette is a game of chance so there is no guaranteed way to win. However, some players deploy their own strategies and play styles. At the end of the day, the odds of roulette are always the same, so you’re playing with luck, rather than skill or expertise, but a strategy or two could certainly come in handy.

Roulette variants

Although originally developed in French casinos, roulette has evolved in different places. There are three main roulette variants; American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette.

What is American Roulette?

This variant has a double-zero pocket alongside the regular single-zero pocket, meaning the chance of the ball landing on zero doubles and effectively increases the house edge. If you’re wondering how to play American Roulette with these extra zeroes and still retain a good house edge, then remember there’s a special ‘surrender’ rule which we’ll cover later.

What is European Roulette?

European Roulette is the classic version of the game. It’s played with 37 pockets, featuring a single zero but no double-zero. This version offers higher chances of winning than American Roulette.

What is French Roulette?

The French version of roulette is very similar to European Roulette as It uses the same wheel and pockets. However, French Roulette has two special rules that make it more favourable for players – En Prison and La Partage. This reduces the house edge to just 1.35%! We’ll explain those soon.

Roulette rules

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, and it’s easy to see why. It’s easy to learn and can be enjoyed by both experienced players and first-timers who want a piece of the action. There are a few different variants of the game, each with its own set of rules, but the fundamentals essentially remain the same across all variants. And guess what? There are only really two main rules – but lots of quirks, etiquette and variables to watch out for.

Players start by placing their bets on the table layout. The dealer is responsible for making sure bets are in the correct place, but players will be asked to place their chips correctly, and not to overcrowd the layout.

The dealer then spins the wheel in one direction and rolls a small ball in the opposite direction, around a tilted circular track that runs around the outer edge of the wheel. Here comes the first rule: no more bets if the dealer has announced ‘no more bets!’ This stops players from placing their chips when the ball is about to come to a stop, preventing any sort of cheating or additional advantages. The good part about playing online roulette is that you can forget about this rule, as the layout will lock once ‘no more bets’ has been announced.

As the wheel slows, the ball drops into one of the numbered sections, the dealer announces the winning number, and any winnings are paid out accordingly.

A big thing to remember with roulette is the zero, or the zero and double zeroes on American Roulette tables. You can bet on the ball landing on these numbers, but they are excluded from odd/even bets, and obviously won’t be included in colour bets/grouped bets. This is what gives the casino the ‘house edge’, which we’ll get to soon.

La Partage and En Prison

So, let’s get to the French Roulette additional rules / features, La Partage and En Prison. These side bets are only an option in French Roulette.

The dealer immediately divides all even-money bets in half, keeping half for the house and giving the other half back to the player when the “La Partage” rule is in place. Keep in mind that the European wheel only includes one zero. You would be right if you assumed that this would dramatically lower the “house edge” in roulette. It actually reduces the house edge by half, from 2.70% with the “La Partage” rule to 1.35% without it. This means the ball landing on zero is slightly less painful if you’ve spread your chips and you see a flash of green!

The “En Prison” bet only covers even-money bets, just like the “La Partage” bet. If a zero appears on the wheel, the dealer will place a marker by the bet to indicate that it is “En Prison.” If you succeed on the subsequent spin, you’ll receive a full refund of the initial bet.

Roulette surrender

Similar to ‘La Partage’, American Roulette wheels have a rule that softens the blow of a zero or double zero, known as a surrender. This reduces the house edge by giving you part of your bet back if the ball lands on green, but you’ll need to check the rule is in place before you begin – just check the online game rules or, if you’re in a real casino, ask your dealer.

Roulette wheel and table

The classic roulette wheel is composed of two main parts – the wheel itself and the table. The wheel is a metal or wooden disc that spins and holds the numbered pockets. These pockets are numbered 0 through 36, with an additional 00 pocket in some variants of American Roulette. The wheel is set up so that the numbers are evenly distributed around the wheel.

The roulette table is a large, flat surface where players place their bets. The table is divided into sections, which usually consist of either one or two sections for each type of bet. The inside section of the table is where players place their inside bets, such as straight up numbers, splits, corners, lines and more – don’t worry, we’ll cover all of this later!

Online roulette tables are exactly like their real-world counterparts.  You’ll be able to interact with the dealer and other players using your smartphone or tablet, all in real time, from the comfort of your own home!

The outside section of the table is where players place their outside bets such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low. There are also sometimes additional sections on the table for more complex bets, such as special sixes, neighbours and others, but this varies depending on both the casino and the type of roulette table.

Online roulette tables can get even more complex, with multiple wheels and other special features like jackpot boxes, but usually you’ll always find a straight-up, easy-to-understand table if you’re just starting out. Remember – you can always ask for help or advice on the rules of the game.

Roulette house edge

The house edge in roulette is the percentage of each bet that the casino is expected to win. All bets have a certain probability of winning and a certain probability of losing, and when you combine all these probabilities together, the house edge is the result.

The table below shows the potential house edge on different tables depending on the size of your bet:

Variant
House Edge
Expected loss / £100 over 100 spins
French Roulette
1.35%
£1.35
European Roulette
2.70%
£2.70
American Roulette
5.26%
£5.26

Roulette odds and bets

Roulette has a huge variety of odds and bet types that make it one of the most variable and exciting casino games. Players can bet on anything from a single number to a huge selection of numbers, whether the number will be odd or even, or even on a group of 12 numbers.

Roulette inside bets

Roulette inside bet

Roulette inside bets refer to bets made on the inner section of the roulette table. These are considered higher-risk bets as they have a smaller chance of winning, but if you do win, you stand to receive a larger payout. There are several types of roulette inside bets, which we will discuss in more detail below:

Straight Up

This is the simplest type of inside bet, where you place your chips on one number. If the ball lands on this number, you win 35 to 1 on your bet. It’s probably not the most-popular bet on the table, but if you have a special or favourite number, then try your luck and it might just come in!

Split Bet

This is a bet placed on two numbers that are adjacent to each other. For example, if you place a chip on the line between the 5 and 8, then you would win 17 to 1 if either of those numbers appear.

Street Bet

This is a bet placed on three numbers that are in a row on the table. For example, if you place a chip on the line between the 2, 3, and 5, then you would win 11 to 1 if any of these three numbers come in.

Corner Bet

This is a bet placed on four numbers that are in a square formation. For example, if you place a chip on the line between the 4, 5, 7, and 8, then you would win 8 to 1 if any of these four numbers come in.

Five Number Bet or Basket Bet

This is a bet placed on five numbers that are in a particular pattern on the table. For example, if you place a chip on the line between 0-00-1-2-3, then you would win 6 to 1 if any of these five numbers appear. This bet is only available on American Roulette tables.

Line Bet

This is a bet placed on six numbers that are in two rows of three. For example, if you place a chip on the line between 1-2-3 and 4-5-6, then you would win 5 to 1 if any of these six numbers come in on the wheel.

Outside bets

Roulette outside bet

Outside bets in roulette are the most-popular betting option. These bets have a much higher chance of winning, but of course, the odds are much lower than inside bets. The types of outside bets include:

Even-money bets

These are also known as ‘red or black’, ‘high or low’ or ‘odd or even’ bets. They pay out at 1 to 1, and include red or black, odd or even and high or low (numbers 1-18 or 19-36).

Columns

This is where you bet on any of the 12 numbers in one column. This bet pays out at 2 to 1.

Dozens

This is where you bet on any of the 12 numbers from 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. This bet pays out at 2 to 1.

Snake bet

This is a bet placed on a line of numbers to make your chips look little bit like a snake, paying out at 2 to 1.

How to choose your bet and tips to play roulette

When it comes to playing roulette, your best bet is to choose a bet type that you are comfortable with and understand the odds of.

It’s also important to know what type of game you’re playing, as each variation of roulette has its own set of rules and house edge, which we’ve already covered. Knowing which bets offer the highest chance of success is also key, so revisit the bet types above before laying your chips.

 

Inside bets are bets that are placed on the numbered portion of the table, where a single number or small group of numbers can be chosen. These bets have a much higher house edge than outside bets, but the payouts are usually much higher.

Outside bets are placed on the outside sections of the table, where groups of numbers are chosen instead of individual ones. These bets generally have a lower house edge, but they also come with a lower payout. For example, betting on red or black will only pay even money (1 to 1), while betting on a column pays 2 to 1.

You also need to think about the minimum and maximum bet limits at the table. Make sure that you are comfortable betting within these limits before you begin to play. It’s always best to start out with low stakes until you become more familiar with the game and understand how to best manage your bankroll.  Always remember to gamble responsibly and check out our wide range of Safer Gambling tools.

By understanding the different types of bets available and their associated odds, you can make an informed decision about which type of bet is most suitable for you. Choosing the best bet for your specific situation is essential to maximise your chances of winning, and more importantly, having fun while you play!

When to stop betting

Roulette is a game of chance, so it’s important to know your limits and realise that no outcome can be predicted accurately. Unlike, for example, poker, your own abilities or skills have no effect on the ball, wheel, dealer or other players!

One way to know when to stop betting is by setting yourself a budget. Before you even start playing, decide how much money you’re willing to lose and set a limit for yourself. Once you hit that limit, stop playing and walk away. It’s important not to try and win your money back and stick to your budget.

It’s also a good idea to take regular breaks while playing roulette, especially online. This helps to prevent you from getting too carried away and spending more than you can afford. Taking regular breaks also helps you to stay focused on the game and make more strategic decisions.

Finally, if you’ve won a few times and you’re feeling lucky, it’s best to quit while you’re ahead. Don’t try and push your luck and continue playing when the odds are against you. Cash out and play again next time.

If you struggle to stop playing or find that playing roulette or any other casino game is no longer fun, then reach out straight away to BeGambleAware.org or a preferred local form of support.

Roulette table etiquette

Roulette-table-etiquette

When playing at a roulette table, or online, it’s important to observe proper etiquette. Roulette is a game of chance, and the casino staff are there to ensure that the game runs smoothly. By observing the following etiquette guidelines, you’ll ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time.

Remain Calm

Don’t let your emotions get the better of you when playing at a roulette table. While it may be tempting to get excited or frustrated if the wheel is not going your way, keep your cool and be courteous to other players and the dealer.

Be respectful

Show respect to other players and the dealers at all times. Do not use profane language or make any type of physical contact with another person while at the table.

Don’t mess with other players’ bets

Do not try to place chips on another player’s bet after they have already placed their chips on the table.

Place your chips carefully

When placing chips on the betting layout, be careful to avoid accidentally pushing any chips off the layout or onto another player’s bet.

Wait for the dealer’s signal

Once you have placed your bet, wait for the dealer to signal before you pick up your chips or move them around on the betting layout.

Be polite

If you need to ask any questions or make any comments during the game, do so politely. Don’t interrupt the dealer while they are spinning the wheel or speaking to other players.

Play roulette with William Hill

If you fancy giving roulette a try, then William Hill Vegas the best place to learn the ropes and have some fun! With low-limit tables, as well as huge jackpots, you can get stuck into roulette and enjoy the casino experience, all from your phone, tablet or computer.

If you haven’t already signed up, check out our welcome bonuses and you can even chat with other players as you make your bets, with real-time live dealers.

FAQs

What is the difference between the arrangement of numbers on the wheel and the betting layout?

The numbers in the layout are done in numerical order, whereas the wheel is interchanging with numbers, not in numerical order. Once you have the hang of it, roulette is a straightforward and enjoyable game for anyone to play.

How to learn to play roulette?

The easiest way to learn to play as a beginner is to internalise the basic rules of the game, as laid out in this blog. Furthermore, more advanced players, can learn different strategies and find one which suits them, or mathematically works out best when they try them out.

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