Roulette is one of the easiest Casino games to play and understand. The object of the game is to pick the correct outcome that will appear on the Roulette wheel. Players can bet on individual numbers, combinations of different numbers, the colour of the result (Red or Black), or whether the outcome will be an odd or even number. Roulette originated in France from where the modern day variant of the game can be dated back to 1842. In Genie’s roulette betting guide, you’ll quickly discover how it works.
How to play Roulette
Roulette betting guide
There are two Roulette betting areas that players can choose to bet on. The inside betting area includes all the individual numbers. Players can bet on individual numbers or a combination of numbers. Inside numbers are arranged in rows of 12X3 numbers. The zero (0) is at the top of these columns. Outside betting areas has betting areas for selecting a bet on columns, red or black, odd or even and different groups of numbers.
Inside Bets
There are a number of different inside bets that can be made. Players are allowed to place a bet on a number “straight up” or to place their bet by covering the line between numbers to select a number combination of numbers.
Payouts for inside bets
- Straight up: A Straight Up bet pays 35/1.
- Split bet: This is a wager on two numbers and has a payout of 17/1
- Street bets or line bet: This pays 11/1. To make this bet place your chips on the vertical line which separates the outside and inside betting areas. The chip will have to straddle the first number in the row you are betting on.
- Quad bet/Corner bet: This pays 8/1. To make this bet place your chips so they are touching the corners of the numbers you are betting on.
- Basket bet: This pays 6/1 and is a five number bet on zero/ zero and double zero and the numbers 1,2 and 3.
- Double Street bet: This pays 5/1 and is a wager on six numbers. To make this bet you need to place your chips on the line separating the outside and inside area as you do for the street bet but in a manner that it will also straddle the row above or below.
Outside Bets
The outside bets relate to any bet made in the boxes that surround the inside betting area (the numbers).
- Red Black Odd and Even: These bets pay out at 1/1. To make these bets you place your chips in the boxes on the layout.
- Dozens bet: A dozens bet pays out at 2/1 and is a bet made on 12 consecutive numbers. To make this bet you’ll need to place your chips in the boxes marked 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. Dozens bets do not include the zero or double zero.
- Column bets: Column bets also pay out at 2/1. Rather than betting on 12 consecutive numbers a column bet allows you to bet on one of the three vertical columns.
Roulette house edge – a roulette betting guide
American Roulette house edge:
In American Roulette the house edge is 5.26%. This is based on the 36 numbers, zero and double zero. On a standard American Roulette wheel this results in the odds of you winning being 37/1. For a straight up bet the payout is 35/1 resulting in this high house edge.
European Roulette house edge:
As a European Roulette wheel has only one zero, the house edge is less than in American Roulette. For straight up bets the odds of winning are 36/1 while the payout is at 35/1. This results in a house edge of 2.7%.
Roulette Strategy
Unlike in Blackjack, there is no optimal strategy in Roulette that will reduce the house edge. Despite this, many players like to use a betting system when playing. The most famous of these is the Martin Gale system.
The Martin Gale Roulette Betting Guide
The Martin Gale betting system is a commonly used system in Roulette. It is based on progressive betting after a loss. If the player loses they double their bet. If they lose again they double their bet again and repeat this until they win. Once the player wins they return to their original bet. The Martingale system is traditionally used on even bets. Find out more in our Martingale betting system guide.