BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ROULETTE
RULES, BETS & STRATEGIES FOR EUROPEAN ROULETTE
Roulette is among the most popular casino games around the world. With its spinning wheel, bouncing ball, and many bets, roulette is a favourite game on the casino floor as well as on screens.
For new gamblers, roulette is an ideal game to play with just the right amount of simplicity and excitement to keep a player’s interest. Put a chip on your lucky number or colour, and when the wheel stops spinning, see whether you are in luck. But even though roulette is basically a game of chance, knowing the rules, the types of bets you can place, and understanding the game's history can help you play smarter and have a more exciting and enjoyable time at the table.
In this guide, we will centre not only on European Roulette (the most commonly played and favoured version), which offers a lower house edge of 2.7%. You’ll learn:
· How European Roulette works.
· The types of bets you can make.
· Common strategies (and why some plans are risky).
· Common mistakes to avoid.
· European vs American vs French roulette.
· Online and live play tips.
And by the end, you’ll be confident and ready to sit down at a roulette table, either online or in a bricks-and-mortar casino.
The History, How EUROPEAN ROULETTE works & inside vs outside bets
A Quick History of Roulette
Roulette is named after the French word “little wheel,” which originated in Paris in the 1700s. Original versions had both a single zero and a double zero.
European Roulette Spread through Europe and Monte Carlo. Frenchmen Francois and Louis Blanc brought the game to Western Europe. Eventually, they constructed a casino in Monaco with their version of the game, which had asingle zero on the wheel. U.S. casinos, however, retained the double-zero wheel, and it became known as American Roulette.
Why it matters: European Roulette has one single zero, which lowers the house edge, leading to better odds for players.
How European Roulette Works
In its essence, roulette is easy:
· The players bet on numbers, number ranges or colours.
· The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and a small white ball in the other.
Roulette is the game where the little white marble goes around the spinning wheel, and you place your bets on where that marble will land on the wheel.That narrowed the wheel's 38 pockets to 37, but the casino pays only 35-1 on bets on any single number.
The European Wheel:
· 37 pockets: 0 to 36 plus a single green 0.
· Red and black numbers divided equally around the wheel.
· The house’s edge is the single zero.
Inside vs. Outside Bets
The two major types of bets in roulette. One of the keys to roulette is knowing the two primary types of bets.
Inside Bets (specific numbers, more risk and payout):
· Straight Up: Place your bet directly on any single number (35:1 payout).
· Split: Place a bet on two numbers that are next to each other (17:1).
· Street: Three numbers in a row (11:1).
· Corner: A square’s four numbers (8:1).
· Six Line: A bet on two adjacent lines with three numbers each (5:1).
Outside Bets (bigger bets, less risky, less payout):
· Red / Black: Bet on colour (1:1).
· Odd or Even: A bet placed based on the type of number (1:1).
· High or Low: Bet 1–18 or 19–36 (1:1).
· Dozens: 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36 (2:1).
· One of the three vertical columns (2:1).
Outside bets are popular for beginners due to their easy-to-understand nature and higher win rate.
Odds, strategies, bankroll & mistakes
The Odds in European Roulette
· Straight Up (single number): 2.7% chance.
· Red/Black or Odd/Even: 48.6% chance.
· Dozens or Columns: 32.4% chance.
European Roulette is far more fair to players as there is only one green pocket on the Roulette wheel containing the number 0, where each operator has a house edge of 2.70% on all bets.
Beginner-Friendly Roulette Strategies
Sure, roulette is a game of chance, so there’s always some risk involved.
The Martingale System:
· “Double your bet after each loss.
· The method was manifestly intended to recoup losses following a single win.
· The Risk: Going on a long losing streak can wipe you out.
The Reverse Martingale (Paroli):
· Bet double on wins, not loses.
· Safer, allows you to ride hot streaks.
The Fibonacci System:
· Bets are incremented with the Fibonacci sequence(1,1,2,3,5,8…).
· A slower, more tentative pace.
Reality Check: There is no system to change the odds—the house edge remains. There are strategy tools for managing bankroll, not meant to assure you win every hand.
Bankroll Management for Roulette
· Be sure to establish a budget for your session.
· If you want to win more often, stick to outside bets.
· The worst thing you can do is to start chasing losses.
Leverage casino bonuses and free spins to prolong your online playing time
Common Beginner Mistakes in Roulette
· Playing American Roulette: Always opt for European whenever possible, as it offers better odds.
· Betting straight up on single numbers: Fun, fast money-eating action.
· Believing in ‘due’ numbers: This is the Gambler’s Fallacy. Every spin is independent.
· Being boundless: Roulette is thrilling, but don’t drink too fast.
variations, Online vs live, Etiquette & progression
European vs. American vs. French Roulette:
As explained, the house edge is higher in American roulette than in other versions.
· European (Best for players): Single zero,2.7% house advantage.
· American (Best avoid): Double zero, 5.26% house edge.
· French (Ideal for players): This game uses the same wheel as the European, but it follows a few additional rules (such as ‘La Partage’ and ‘En Prison’ rules, which essentially reduce the house edge to as low as 1.35%).
In conclusion: Always play European or French Roulette when you can.
Online vs Live Roulette
· Online Roulette: A quick, easy way to practice.
· Live Dealer Roulette: Streamed from real studios, with human dealers, live dealer roulette is the most authentic online roulette experience because you see a physical wheel and ball spun by a croupier and may be able to follow it on a live table on your gaming screen.
Both tend to offer welcome bonuses, such as free bets or spins.
Roulette Etiquette (For Live Casinos)
· Bet before the dealer says 'no more bets.'
· No pawing of chips after the ball has started spinning.
· If you win big, tip the dealer.
· Be respectful of the table space — roulette attracts a vocal crowd.
Beginner Progression Path
· Begin with free-play roulette on the internet.
· Transition to low-stakes online real-money roulette.
· Try live dealer roulette for a real-life casino feel.
· Play in brick-and-mortar casinos once you have mastered an online live dealer session.
ROULETTE faqs
Is roulette pure luck?
· Yes, there’s nothing they can do to make the ball change. Strategy is about managing risk.
What is the best bet for beginners?
· Even-money outside bets (red/black, odd/even).
Can you beat roulette long-term?
· No. The house always has a slight edge. Play for entertainment.
Are online roulette games fair?
· UK-regulated and licenced casino games, including Roulette, are tested, verified and fair to play.
What is the minimum bet in roulette?
· Ten pence/€0.10 is the starting point for online tables. Land-based casinos vary.
Which version of Roulette should I look for?
· French Roulette (La Partage), then European Roulette.
It is easy to understand, even though roulette sounds like a game reserved for the most sophisticated gaming enthusiasts. Take it for a free spin, as we always recommend! Then, when you’re ready for it, continue improving your game and perfecting your strategy by trying a Roulette table at one of the UK online casinos.
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Roulette is a classic casino game. The ball has no memory, either, so there is no best time of day to play. You can’t influence where the ball slams down onto the little spinning wheel, nor can you control the bets placed by theother people.
European Roulette is ideal for novices, offering pleasant odds, straightforward rules, and lots of excitement. Begin with outside bets, sidestep the most frequent mistakes, and remember that roulette is about fun, not chasing guaranteed wins.
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