Roulette is a wheel game: you place chips on numbers or groups of numbers, the wheel spins, and whatever the ball lands on pays out at fixed odds. There is one decision that matters and many that don't. The decision that matters is the wheel: European tables keep 2.7% of what you wager over time, American tables 5.26%, French tables as little as 1.35%. On European and French wheels every bet costs the same. American wheels have one exception — the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) carries a 7.89% edge rather than 5.26%, making it the worst bet on the layout — so learn the bets for what they are, ways of shaping variance, and spend your attention on table selection.
How a round works
1. Place chips on the betting layout — numbers, groups of numbers, or properties like red/black.
2. Betting closes; the wheel spins and the ball drops into a numbered pocket.
3. Winning bets are paid by the table below; losing chips are cleared.
4. Repeat.
There are no decisions after betting closes. Online, RNG tables resolve instantly and live tables run a betting window of 15–25 seconds per spin.
The bets and what they pay
Inside bets (on the numbers):
| Bet | Covers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8:1 |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5:1 |
Outside bets (on properties):
| Bet | Covers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red/black, odd/even, high/low | 18 numbers | 1:1 |
| Dozen (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) | 12 numbers | 2:1 |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2:1 |
Every payout is set as if the wheel had 36 pockets. It has 37 (European) or 38 (American) — the zeros are the house edge. Because the shortfall is identical across almost every bet, a straight-up number and a red/black bet on the same wheel cost exactly the same per unit wagered. The one exception is the American five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), which costs 7.89% — the worst bet on either layout. The bets and payouts guide shows the full math.
The wheels
| Wheel | Pockets | House edge | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 (one zero) | 2.70% | The standard you should accept |
| American | 38 (two zeros) | 5.26% | Same payouts, double the cost — avoid |
| French | 37 + la partage | 1.35% | On even-money bets. Best rules in the game |
If you want the math: a straight-up bet on a European wheel wins 1 time in 37 and pays 35:1. Expected return = (1/37 × 36) = 97.3% — the missing 2.7% is the edge, and the same calculation lands on the same number for every bet on the layout.
What roulette strategy can and cannot do
Bet selection shapes variance: outside bets pay small and often, straight numbers pay rarely and big. No selection or staking pattern changes the edge — the systems guide walks through why martingale and its relatives fail, with the streak math shown.
What actually moves your cost: wheel choice (above), and avoiding the multiplier variants' trimmed payouts unless you've priced them — covered in the live roulette guide.
Online specifics
RNG roulette spins instantly at minimums from $0.10 — useful for learning the layout at near-zero cost. Live tables stream physical wheels with croupiers; betting windows enforce pace. Both state their wheel type in the title or info panel: "European/Auto Roulette" one zero, "American" two. Check before betting — it is the only check that matters.
Bonus note: roulette typically contributes 5–10% to wagering requirements, and even-money bets are often excluded entirely. Clear bonuses elsewhere.
FAQ
What is the best bet in roulette?
On the same wheel, every bet has the same edge. The best available combination is an even-money bet on a French table (1.35%). The worst common choice is anything on an American wheel (5.26%).
How do I know which wheel I'm playing?
The game title and info panel. One zero = European, two zeros = American. Online lobbies carry both; the European version is always the one to open.
Can I bet on multiple numbers at once?
Yes — splits, corners, dozens and any combination. Combining bets combines their variance, not their edge: ten different bets on one spin still cost 2.7% of the total.
Is online roulette rigged?
RNG tables run certified generators; live tables spin physical wheels on camera. The enforceable risk is operator payout behaviour — which is what our casino reviews test with real withdrawals.
Why is there a betting limit difference between inside and outside bets?
Variance. A 35:1 payout at high stakes swings the table's exposure, so inside maximums run lower than outside maximums at the same table.