Roulette (from the French word for "little wheel")
is a classic casino game of chance where players bet on which numbered compartment of a spinning wheel a small ball will land in.
Basic Rules
The Objective: Correcty predict the final resting spot of the ball on the wheel.
Game Procedure:
Place Bets: Players place colored chips on the betting table until the dealer (croupier) announces "no more bets".
The Spin: The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite direction.
The Result: Once the ball settles in a pocket, the dealer places a marker (dolly) on the winning number on the table layout.
Payouts: Losing bets are cleared, and winning bets are paid out based on their specific odds.
Equipment:
Wheel: Typically contains numbers 1–36 (alternating red and black) and a green 0.
Variants: American Roulette features an extra green "00" pocket, increasing the house edge to roughly 5.26%. European Roulette has only one zero, offering a lower house edge of about 2.7%.
Chips: Most casinos use special colored chips for roulette to help identify which player placed which bet. These chips usually have no value outside that specific table.
Bet Types & Payouts
Bets are divided into two main categories based on where they are placed on the table layout:
Bet Type
Name
Description
Payout
Inside
Straight Up- A single specific number 35:1
Split-Two adjacent numbers 17:1
Street-Three numbers in a horizontal row 11:1
Corner-Four numbers meeting at one corner 8:1
Six-Line Two adjacent rows (six numbers total) 5:1
Outside Red or Black-Any number of that color 1:1
Odd or Even-Any odd or even number (excluding 0/00) 1:1
Low/High Numbers 1–18 (Low) or 19–36 (High) 1:1
Dozens-Groups of 12 (1–12, 13–24, or 25–36) 2:1
Columns-One of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers 2:1
Note: Outside bets cover more numbers and are safer for beginners, while inside bets offer higher rewards for higher risk.