Roulette is a very simple, lottery style casino game where player’s attempt to predict what number will hit. Played with a Roulette Table, a Roulette Wheel and a small ball, players who bet on the correct number, group of numbers or col+or win their bets, while those who do not, lose their bets.
What you can find in this Roulette guide:
European & American Roulette
The European Roulette wheel contains 37 numbers, 1 through 36 and a 0. In the American version of Roulette, there are 38 numbers, 1 through 36, 0 and 00, on the wheel.
European Roulette offers the player better odds (lower house edge), therefore is the popular favorite. Both Roulette variations are offered by practically all online gambling sites.
European Roulette
European Roulette is different from American Roulette because of the fact that it only has one zero. European Roulette is also called Single Zero Roulette for that reason. By only having one zero it is far better to play because of the lower house edge associated with it.
European can be found in most casinos across America, but not all. If you are in Europe though; it will be found in every casino that you visit. As the name suggests, this Roulette game is synonymous with the European gambling world.
If you play casino games on internet gambling sites then you will find that it is offered at every casino. If you enjoy playing a game of Roulette than there really is no reason why you shouldn’t be playing European Roulette. Who wants to give the casino a better chance of winning?
European Roulette wheel
There are 37 numbers in European Roulette. That is one less number than American Roulette because that game has two zeros. The numbers range from 1 through to 36, plus the zero. The 36 numbers are divided into two by their color. There are 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers on the Roulette wheel.
European Roulette table
It is fairly easy to make a bet in Roulette because of the simple nature of the table layout. The Roulette table is designed in such a way so that the numbers are color coordinated with the wheel. That makes it easy for us to distinguish between the different numbers and colors.
In European Roulette, there are a number of different bets that you can make. These bets are not difficult to make either. Again, because of the way the table is laid out, all you have to do is find the relevant section. If you want to bet on a color, certain number or a group of numbers it is simple once you know how. Each bet has its own designated area so all you have to do is place your chips where it’s appropriate.
History of European Roulette
As you might have already guessed from the name of the game; Roulette was created in France. It was first played in 1796 but it took a fair while for it to become popular. It wasn’t until casinos added the second zero (what we call American Roulette which is described below) that it became popular.
As the casinos saw that there was money to be made more and more decided to add it to their casino game selection. Because the game was initially invented in France the name stayed as Roulette. It also never lost its name because to this day the same game is played around Europe. That is, it still has one zero with the lower house edge.
Roulette wheel
If you examine the Roulette wheel, you’ll see that the numbers are utterly scattered. They revert from high to low, red to black and odd to even so that there is no advantage to specific groups of numbers.
The croupier, like the dealer in Blackjack, controls the Roulette table, wheel, and bets. Once all bets have been placed (see inside and outside bets on the right side), the croupier will spin the wheel in one direction. He will then drop the small, silver or white ball into the Roulette wheel, tossing it in the opposite direction that the wheel is spinning.
The ball will pop around the numbered/colored pockets on the wheel until finally coming to a rest in a single pocket. The pocket the ball stops in is the winning number/color.
American Roulette
American Roulette is widely popular in the US and is almost identical to the traditional European Roulette game. To fully understand how and why this casino came about I will take back into history so you can gain a better understanding.
The American Roulette wheel and table are different
The American Roulette wheel is almost exactly the same as the traditional version. As I alluded to above, there is an extra zero. It is placed on the opposite side of the wheel to the regular zero and is called double zero or 00.
The table in Roulette is basically a different representation of what you see on the Roulette wheel. Everything that you see on the wheel you can bet on. With that in mind, the table is displayed in a way where all you have to do is put your chips on the spot that matches what you want to bet on.
In Roulette, there are many different types of bets that can be made on each spin of the wheel. It is up to you to decide whether you want to bet on a single color, number or maybe even a row. All of these bets have different odds and probabilities of winning.
I suggest that you do a little bit of research into some of the smarter bets that you can make in Roulette before you hit the tables with your hard earned money. While at the end of the day it is all about the fun and excitement, you can give yourself a better chance of winning. Playing American Roulette is much more enjoyable to me when I’m winning and I would assume it would be for you too.
History of American Roulette
Blaise Pascal from France is the man that created the game of Roulette way back in the 1700’s. The history of Roulette is somewhat cloudy though. What we do know is that in the 1800’s the game became popular in both Europe and the United States.
At some point in the 19th century, it is believed that a Frenchman brought the game to New Orleans which is where the game took off. It didn’t take long for the casinos to realize that there was a lot more money to be made by altering the house edge of this game.
They put their heads together and smartly came up with the idea to add another zero to the Roulette wheel. This instantly doubled the house edge, thus increasing their revenue stream. Now that the casinos in America had a much better source of income from the game they were much more open to promoting it. These days you see it in almost every casino that you play in and it is enjoyed by many.
Playing American Roulette online
American Roulette can be found in pretty much every online casino that you play in. If you are playing at a casino that doesn’t offer it then it is time to change. It is a widely popular game and one that certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.
You will also find that European Roulette will be offered at these online casinos as well. The difference between the two is that European Roulette only has the one zero. That means that there is less of a house edge. I advise that you play this version where possible because ultimately you have a better chance of winning.
Roulette betting rules and their payouts
There are a lot of different ways to place a bet in Roulette. Different sets of numbers with different orders are covered by each bet.
Inside and outside bets
Inside bets are bets placed within the numbered diagram of the table. Players may choose a single number, two numbers, an intersecting group of four numbers, a row or column of numbers, etc. The more numbers selected, the lower the payout will be; ranging from 5:1 to 36:1.
Outside bets are the options outside the numbered betting display. These bets include 1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12, 1st Column, 2nd Column, 3rd Column, Odd or Even, High or Low, Red or Black. Outside bets pay 2:1 or 3:1, depending on the odds.
Roulette bets can be made in specific minimum and maximum amounts. The Roulette table should display the min-max betting limits. For instance, one table may accept bets of $1 to $100, while another may take $100 to $1,000. At the more expensive table, every bet must be at least $100, not to exceed $1,000 on a single bet.
Straight Up
You can bet on any particular number, including the zero, by placing your chips on the center of a number.
Split Bet
You can bet on two numbers by placing your chips on the line that divides the two numbers.
Street Bet
Betting on a row of three numbers is called a street bet. You have to place your chips on one of the border lines of the roulette table, at the end of a corresponding row.
Corner Bet
You can bet on four numbers by placing your chips at a corner where four numbers meet.
Four Bet
You can bet on the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3 by placing your chips on the borderline, where the line between 0 and the first row comes together.
Line Bet
It’s called a line bet when two street bets are combined. This is done by placing your chips on the border line of the roulette table where the line dividing the two rows comes together.
Column Bet
At the bottom of each number columns, you can find three boxes labeled 2 to 1. You can place bets for all of the numbers in a column by placing your chips in one of these boxes.
Dozen Bet
There are three boxes labeled “1st 12,” “2nd 12,” and “3rd 12”. You can bet on a dozen of numbers (12) by placing your chips in one of these boxes.
Odd & Even, Red & Black, and High & Low Bets
There are three boxes along the long side of the roulette table labeled Odd & Even, Red & Black, and Low & High. Each of these boxes covers 18 numbers.
Roulette winnings chart
When it comes to betting in Roulette it is important to understand the payouts of each bet that can be made. By having a look at the following Roulette winnings chart, a quick point of reference is provided to the keen Roulette player.
| Chip Covers | Bet Term/Numbers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| 1 number | Straight Up | 35/1 |
| 2 numbers | Split Bet | 17/1 |
| 3 numbers | Street Bet | 11/1 |
| 4 numbers | Corner Bet | 8/1 |
| 4 numbers | Four Bet | 8/1 |
| 6 numbers | Line Bet | 5/1 |
| 12 numbers | Dozen Bet or Column Bet | 2/1 |
| Column 34 | 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 | 2/1 |
| Column 35 | 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35 | 2/1 |
| Column 36 | 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 | 2/1 |
| 1st 12 (first dozen) | 1 to 12 | 1/1 |
| 2nd 12 (second dozen) | 13 to 24 | 1/1 |
| 3rd 12 (third dozen) | 25 to 36 | 1/1 |
| 18 numbers | Odd & Even, Red & Black or High & Low | 1/1 |
| 1-18 (low numbers) | 1 to 18 | 1/1 |
| 19-36 (high numbers) | 19 to 36 | 1/1 |
On a side note: Betting in roulette can involve two, three, or even four numbers. For example, using the zero, you can place bets on: 1 + 0, 1 + 2 + 0, 2 + 0, 3 + 0, or 1 + 2 + 3 + 0.
Whenever you are in doubt of the Roulette payouts you can come back to this page and quickly access the information you are seeking. One of the main reasons Roulette players enjoy this winnings table so much is because they can look at it while working out their betting strategies. Whether you are new to the game or a seasoned pro, you are likely to benefit from reading the information on the table above.
European Roulette has the best odds
Roulette is offered by virtually every casino, online and land-based, in one form or another. If the option is available, select European Roulette for it’s lower house edge versus American Roulette.
In European Roulette, the expected house edge for a player making inside bets (on the actual numbers) is 97.3%. This means that for every $100 that goes down on the table, $97.30 is paid out. So the casino makes an average profit of $2.70 for every $100 wagered on Roulette.
The most used Roulette strategies
Over the years many people have tried to come up with different Roulette strategies to beat the casinos. These days the casinos have taken actions against it. For example, by setting table limits to prevent bets from being doubled infinite times. By putting rules and strategies like this in place casinos can protect and guard themselves against large losses from gambling systems.
As you will see with almost every gambling strategy, it takes time and dedication to master and make them successful. It doesn’t matter whether it is poker or a casino game, you will have to be diligent and patient in order to win on a consistent basis.
Part of the reason why you have to strictly enforce the rules of the Roulette strategies that you use is that you generally win in small amounts. It can take long periods of time without a mistake to build your bankroll to a point where it has been significantly increased. On the other hand, if you slip up and make a mistake then the result could be disastrous. This highlights the importance of sticking to the core rules of the Roulette betting system and doing to diligently.
Can a Roulette strategy be used when gambling online?
With the measures that casinos, especially online casinos, such as the ones you can find on Gambling Sites, have taken in recent times to prevent losing to betting strategies, it makes it a lot tougher and renders some of them ineffectual. If you take the Martingale System as an example, it is now almost completely useless as a serious method to use because of the table limits imposed by casinos. You can’t simply just keep doubling your bet until you win because the table limits now restrict how much you can bet on a certain hand.
With most things you see in life, there is a constant evolution. Roulette is no different in that respect either. People are always coming up with new and exciting ways to try to swing the house edge in their favor.
One thing is for certain though; almost all Roulette and gambling strategies that you see these days are based around traditional systems. Below we have listed the most important Roulette strategies that players use and more importantly we give you access to a specific article on exactly how the betting system works.
Even if you don’t think you will directly use a Roulette system like this it is beneficial for you to learn them anyway because of the principles that they are based upon. Once you learn them thoroughly you will begin to connect the dots on how things came about and how they relate to each other.
Labouchere System
The Roulette Labouchere strategy often referred to as the cancellation system, is played on single chances like Black, Red, Odd, Even, High or Low. The Roulette player starts out with a series of numbers, for example 1-2-3-4. This list also determines the amount of money the player wants to win, in this case, that would be a total of 10 units (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10).
The first bet amount is determined by the sum of the series’ first – and last number. In our example that would have been a bet of 5 units (1 + 4).
In the case of a win, you double up and you will have to remove the used numbers from the series. The next bet will a bet of 5 units (2 + 3), the last two remaining number in the series.
In the case of a loss, using the example on the left, the numbers’ sum will be added to the end of the series. The new series of numbers becomes 2-3-5 and you will have to make the next bet with 7 units (2 + 5).
Another example for the Roulette Labouchere strategy:
- Series: 1-2-3-4-5
- Bet: 6, Win: 6, Profit: 6
- Series: 2-3-4
- Bet: 6, Lose: 6, Profit: 0
- Series: 2-3-4-6
- Bet: 8, Win: 8, Profit: 8
- Series: 3-4
- Bet: 7, Win: 7, Profit: 15
Fitzroy System
The Fitzroy roulette strategy starts with betting one unit on a single chance, for instance on Red or Black. In case you lose, you will add another unit to your bet progressively until you win, then you’ll start over.
Using this Fitzroy method, the range of your bets is $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, etc. The danger is that your betting amount may end up very high when losing consecutive times.
Martingale System
When executing the Roulette Martingale strategy, probably the most famous betting system, you’re doubling your betting amount after every loss. Every time you will win, you will win enough to win one unit. For instance, you have lost you first bet of $1, but won your second of $2. This means you have a $1 profit ( $4 – ( $2 + $1 ) ).
The danger of the Martingale method is that you could end up losing a lot when reaching the Roulette table limit, hence the reason why tables have limits. If your starting bet was $10, and you would lose 10 consecutive times, then you will need $5,120 to be able to continue betting the Martingale system.
Contra d’Alembert System
Just like most Roulette strategies, the Contra d’Alembert strategy for Roulette is played on a single chance bet. You start by betting one unit on Red. When you lose, you will repeat betting one unit every time until you win. Once you win, you will have to double your bet, and you will keep doubling up each time you’ll win, until your next loss.
For instance, when betting on Red:
- Start: bet 1
- Win: bet 2
- Loose: bet 1
- Win: bet 2
- Win: bet 3
- Win: bet 4
- Loose: bet 3
- Win: bet 4
- Win: bet 5
- Loose: bet 4
- Etc…
The advantage of the Contra d’Alembert method is that you will win a lot when the table is hot and you’re hitting a nice series of wins. On the other side, the losses are limited, as you will lower your bet with one unit each time you lose.
Winning chances will remain relatively low when you’re betting without seeing a hit for a while.
Ascot System
The Ascot strategy for Roulette is a variation to the Contra d’Alembert system. You will start by writing down an odd series of numbers, i.e. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
The first bet, placed on one of the single chances (Black, Red, Odd, Even, High or Low), will be the middle number, in our example the 4. If you win, the next bet will be the first number (5) to the right numbers, and if you lose, the next bet will be the first number (3) to the left.
This method enables you to play a longer period with a relatively low amount of betting money.
You can determine the series yourself, as long as it consists of an odd length. A typical series of numbers for the Ascot method is:
- 2-3-5-8-13-20-30
Who is Blaise Pascal and did he really invent Roulette?
The origins of Roulette go all the way back to the 10th century, as parchments with numbers in comparable order to the current numbers in Roulette, were discovered by archaeologists in the Caucasus region.
In contrast to a general opinion, Roulette was not invented by the French mathematician Blaise Pascal, who lived from 1623 to 1662, but appears most likely to be invented by a Chinese monk and brought to Europe by a Jesuit missionary. Blaise Pascal instead was the first person to use his scientific experience for calculating the probabilities in Roulette.
In the 17th century, a primitive form of the Roulette game was played in Italy. Since gambling was illegal, the aristocrats played in their mansions, named “Casini” in Italian, hence the name “Casino” still being used nowadays.
In the mid 18th century, legal casinos (such as the casinos in Baden-Baden and Monte Carlo) were established all around Europe and the Roulette game could finally be played legally.