Understanding the Basics of Roulette
Before depositing any money into casinos to head over to a roulette table, it is essential to understand how the game works. Lucky for you, we know a thing or two about this game and we don't gatekeep over here:
Types of Roulette Games
Newcomers to the game may think that roulette is the same around the world, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are three main tables that players should get accustomed to: European, American, and French.
European Roulette Tables
Here are the key features of a European roulette table:
Has one green zero (0)
37 total numbers on the wheel (0-36)
House edge is 2.7%
Mostly found in Europe
American Roulette Tables
These are the defining factors of an American roulette table:
Has two green zeros (0 + 00)
38 total numbers on the wheel (0, 00, 1-36)
House edge is 5.26%
Mostly found in the United States of America
French Roulette Tables
This is what makes French tables different from the rest:
Has one green zero (0), like its European counterpart
Special rules, such as if the ball lands on zero, you may only lose half your bet or get a second chance at a bet
House edge is 1.35%
Mostly found in France
💡 House edge refers to the odds which are in the casino’s favour!
How the Game Works
Roulette is played on a spinning wheel of coloured numbers. The ball is dropped by the croupier (or a digital facsimile of this process plays out on your computer). The ball must land in one of the numbered pockets on the wheel. You place bets on what number or colour the ball will enter. If you manage to guess correctly, you win some cash!
You can bet on the following:
Single numbers (highest payout)
Groups of numbers (like 6-19)
Colours (red or black)
Even or odd numbers
Bets placed on single numbers have the longest odds and, therefore, the highest payouts. Betting on colours pays 1-1, which gives a slight house edge as the zero(s) mean the odds are not quite 50/50. Where the ball lands on the wheel is entirely random, which means no one can predict its landing spot, not even Nostradamus!
Useful Roulette Terms
You may have been at a roulette table in person or a live game and heard some people say words that you thought were absolute gibberish. However, some terms are specific to roulette, which are useful for you to understand:
Term | Meaning |
---|---|
🎯 Straight up bet | Bet on a single number |
➗ Split bet | Bet on two numbers next to each other |
🛣️ Street bet | Bet on three numbers in a row |