How to Play Roulette – Roulette Game Rules, Odds & Payouts

Roulette game can be called the mascot of all casinos worldwide. On this page, we’ll break down the general mechanics of how does roulette work.

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How to Play Roulette

Let's start with the basics and talk about how the spin is played. There’s nothing complicated or unclear here. Just like with pokies, the player’s responsibility for winning is minimal. In a fair roulette, there’s no pattern to where the ball lands. It’s all about luck. But don’t think this is some simplistic pastime like rolling dice. No matter how straightforward it seems, understanding what the spin entails is essential.Let’s go step by step.

The roulette game is simple – just guess the color and number where the ball will land after the spin. According to roulette rules, chips can be placed on a specific sector or on a group.

How the roulette game works

In short, every spin can be broken into four parts. A bit about each one.

1. The player puts down a chip.
2. The croupier gets the ball rolling by spinning the wheel and throwing it in the other direction.
3. The wheel stops gradually, with the ball dropping into a slot marked with a number.
4. When the winning number is drawn, the payouts are based on the chip that's been placed on it.

In online formats, the betting process is automated, but everything else happens the same way. The only difference is that the player is looking at a screen instead of sitting at a table.

Roulette Rules

Now that the spin has been discussed in general, let’s talk about the rules. There’s nothing complex about them, just like the spin itself. But to play and enjoy it, knowing the basics doesn’t hurt. It’s worth noting right away that the focus here is on European roulette, as it’s the most popular in Australia. So, if someone’s a regular at American roulette, just add the “double zero” sector.​

​Roulette table game

The European wheel has 37 sectors. Numbers 1 to 36 alternate between red and black. A single green sector mark's zero, and that’s what gives the casino its mathematical edge.

The table includes the following.

• All 36 numbers, grouped in rows of 12.
• Additional outside sectors for betting on colors, even/odd, and ranges.
• Three columns and three dozens.

Types of bets at roulette game

Chips deserve a separate mention, as in a wheel spin, this is one of the trickier parts. Chips are divided into inside and outside.

Inside chips break down as follows.

• Straight Up. Chip put one number on each square.
• Split. The chip set's on the edge of two numbers.
• Street. A chip covers a line of three numbers, all horizontal.
• Corner. The chips were placed at the intersection of four numbers.
• Line. The chip covers two rows next to each other and has six numbers on it.

Outside stakes are divided as follows.

• Collor. Bet on the colour.
• Even/Odd. It's all about the number type.
• 1–18 or 19–36. Chip on numbers.
• Dozens. Each covering 12 numbers.
• Column. A stake on a vertical column.

While putting together this page, an amusing query from users popped up: “what is russian roulette rules.” Let’s clear this up quick, games with revolvers (or any weapons) are absolutely frowned upon, and getting involved in such “fun” is strongly discouraged.

Roulette Odds

The topic of odds has already been touched upon, and now it’s time to explore them in more detail. What a player can expect is worth discussing. To be clear, there’s no way to influence the outcome of a spin. No skills like a “poker face” come into play here. In wheel, it’s straightforward, but the odds themselves are a separate matter. Knowing which stakes offer better chances of winning is always useful.

But before we get to the topic of roulette odds, there's one thing we need to talk about. In a wheel, there’s a unique feature called the “zero.” Because of this unique sector, every chip has a winning chance not of 50%, but 48%. In essence, this is the casino’s insurance, but it’s the live dealer sector that makes the roulette wheel so distinctive.

Still, the actual chances of winning on specific bets must be considered. Let’s break them down one by one.

Probability of winning

To reassure upfront, all live roulette odds are mathematically derived, and naturally, there’s always a chance to win on any bet, hovering close to 50% (it either hits or it doesn’t). But laying out the general data is worthwhile.

The roulette odds are shaped by the green zero, reducing the winning probability to 48% and defining the game’s challenge.

Just like in many other gambling spins, in a wheel spin, there are tactics for bankroll management, but those are covered in a dedicated article.

Roulette Payouts

Now that the spin itself has been discussed, it’s time to talk about payouts. After all, by and large, the wheel spins for the sake of winnings. Payouts represent the amount a platform awards for correctly guessing the sector where the ball lands. Everything in the roulette game hinges on odds, as the tougher the bet, the higher the payout, but the risk of losing also grows. Below, the payout mechanism for the European wheel is outlined (it’s similar in American roulette, but with some nuances).

Roulette payouts are worked out using a multiplier on the bet. For example, with a A$10 stake and a win, the stake is returned plus an amount multiplied by the odds. The lower the chance of guessing correctly, the bigger the payout.

Roulette payouts scale with risk – higher rewards come with lower odds, balancing potential wins against the likelihood of loss.

Limits on minimum/maximum bets depend on the casino’s rules, so checking them before playing is recommended.

Websites Where Roulette Game Can Be Practiced

Roulette Payout Chart

After covering the rules and discussing the mechanics, a handy table will be provided.

Now that the rules and payouts have been explored, a few practical points worth mentioning will help newcomers feel more confident at the table. First, always check the casino’s stake limits – both. This matters to ensure the bankroll matches ambitions. Second, don’t try to “beat” the game. In this case, luck takes the lead, and no mathematical tricks can cancel out the casino’s edge due to the zero sector. Still, tactics exist, but those can be found on the relevant page.

What are thoughts on the roulette game? How do the rules feel? Which seems more interesting, the European or American version of the game? Share opinions in the comments!