07.11.2025
With over 12 years of hands-on roulette experience, Chris Mwangi leads the creation of educational content explaining roulette rules, bets, odds, and payouts. At Roulette77, he works closely with an international team to ensure accurate localization and responsible gaming standards for regulated markets.
This comprehensive guide aims to familiarize newcomers with the purpose and fundamental rules of roulette. We will provide a step-by-step explanation of how to play the game, discuss the primary roulette variants, and address frequently asked questions regarding this timeless casino game.
Objective of the Game
The objective of roulette is to predict the number or color on which the ball will land when the roulette wheel is spun. The wheel consists of numbers from 0 to 36, represented by black, red, and green colors. Players can place bets on a single number, a range of numbers, or even on specific colors (black/red) or odd/even outcomes. Each of these outcomes carries different probabilities, determining the corresponding chances of winning and the resulting payouts.
Understanding the game of roulette involves dividing it into four distinct phases. The game begins with players placing their bets and progresses as the croupier spins the wheel. Payouts are made to winning players after the outcome is announced. Both winners and non-winners can continue to test their luck in subsequent games.
The roulette table displays numbers from 0 to 36, along with various betting options. These options represent potential wheel outcomes, and players can place their chips accordingly. However, the table does not indicate the payout for each bet. It is assumed that players are already familiar with this information. In roulette, payouts range from 35:1 to 1:1, depending on the probability of the chosen bet.
For certain bets known as "French bets," players can place their wagers more efficiently without physically moving their chips. If there are enough chips on the table, players can verbally inform the croupier of their desired bet. The croupier verifies the bet by examining the table and, even if the chips are not placed directly on the corresponding bet option, accepts the wager. These bets are called "announced bets" as they are announced by both the player and the croupier. It is important to note that when playing online roulette, an announced bet must still be accompanied by placing a chip on one of the bet sections on the racetrack. The following are the main types of announced bets, along with detailed information about each one.
Every roulette table has its own minimum and maximum bet limits, which may vary. The minimum bet represents the required amount to participate in the game, regardless of the specific bet option. On the other hand, the maximum bet indicates the highest amount accepted for any bet at that table. It is essential for players to consider these limits for two reasons. Firstly, table limits help determine if a particular game aligns with their preferences and bankroll. Secondly, these limits play a crucial role in implementing various roulette strategies. For instance, progressive betting strategies like the Martingale system require playing at tables with high maximum limits, as the bet amount needs to increase according to specific rules.
In addition to table limits, individual bet types may also have their own limits, often associated with maximum betting amounts. For example, a roulette table might have a minimum bet of 10 CAD and a maximum bet of 5000 CAD. However, this does not imply that players can place any bet within this range. Outside bets (red/black, odd/even) can be made between 10 CAD and 5000 CAD. Conversely, inside bets (Straight-up, Split, etc.) may be subject to a lower maximum bet limit, such as 2000 CAD, despite the overall table limit being 5000 CAD.
The table below provides a comparison of betting limits found in popular roulette games from different providers.
| Bet | Dragon Jackpot Roulette | Relax Roulette | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 0.1 Min | 100 Max | 0.1 Min | 250 Max |
| Split | 0.1 Min | 200 Max | 0.1 Min | 500 Max |
| Street | 0.1 Min | 300 Max | 0.1 Min | 800 Max |
| Corner | 0.1 Min | 400 Max | 0.1 Min | 1000 Max |
| Six Line | 0.1 Min | 600 Max | 0.1 Min | 1600 Max |
| Column | 1 Min | 1000 Max | 0.1 Min | 3500 Max |
| Dozen | 1 Min | 1000 Max | 0.1 Min | 3500 Max |
| Even/Odd | 1 Min | 1000 Max | 0.1 Min | 5000 Max |
| Red/Black | 1 Min | 1000 Max | 0.1 Min | 5000 Max |
| High/Low | 1 Min | 1000 Max | 0.1 Min | 5000 Max |
Once all players have placed their bets, the croupier announces "no more bets." Placing additional bets is prohibited after this announcement. Simultaneously, the second phase of the game begins as the croupier spins the roulette wheel and releases the ball onto it. It is strictly forbidden for anyone other than the croupier to touch the wheel. If a player violates this rule by touching the wheel, the game becomes void, and all bets are refunded.
Once the wheel comes to a stop, the croupier announces the number and color on which the ball has landed. This marks the start of the third phase: payouts. Players who bet on the winning outcome receive their payouts based on the bet amount and the corresponding payout ratio. For instance, a straight bet pays 35:1. Therefore, a 10 CAD bet would result in a 350 CAD payout (10 x 35).
| Bet | Payout | Example (initial bet $10) |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 35:1 | 10+35*10=360 |
| Split | 17:1 | 10+17*10=180 |
| Street | 11:1 | 10+11*10=120 |
| Corner | 8:1 | 10+8*10=90 |
| 5 numbers | 6:1 | 10+6*10=70 |
| Six Line | 5:1 | 10+5*10=60 |
| Column | 2:1 | 10+2*10=30 |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 10+2*10=30 |
| Even/Odd | 1:1 | 10+1*10=20 |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 10+1*10=20 |
| High/Low | 1:1 | 10+1*10=20 |
It is also possible to place combined bets in roulette. In such cases, the payout is calculated based on the total amount wagered.
The completion of payouts signifies the end of the game. The croupier then initiates a new game and begins accepting new bets. This process continues until the croupier announces "no more bets" once again, and the cycle repeats. Players who won or lost in the previous game are free to participate in the subsequent round or choose to abstain.
There are three primary variations of traditional roulette: European, American, and French. While these variants share general rules, some of them offer additional betting options and/or rules.
The French and American variants of roulette employ distinct betting rules that differ from the European variant. These rules do not alter the available betting options or payouts but rather reduce the house edge, enabling players to increase their long-term winnings.
This rule is exclusive to the French variant. When a player places a 1:1 bet (red/black, odd/even, low/high) and loses, they receive half of their bet back. By implementing this rule, the house edge can decrease to as low as 1.35%.
This rule is also exclusive to the French variant. If a player places a 1:1 bet and loses, the bet carries over to the next round. If the bet loses again, there is no refund. However, if it wins, the initial bet must be paid.
This rule is unique to the American variant. If a player bets on 0 and 00 and loses, they receive half of their bet back. Similar to La Partage, this rule only applies to bets on 0 and 00. By implementing the surrender rule, the house edge can be reduced to 2.63%.
The house edge represents the percentage of profit the casino is expected to make from players' bets. For example, the house edge of European roulette is 2.70%, indicating that the casino will earn a profit of 2.70 CAD for every 100 CAD wagered.
In roulette, each bet type has a predetermined payout. Therefore, when a player wins, their wager is multiplied by the corresponding payout. For instance, a column bet pays 2:1. If you wagered 10 CAD and won, you would receive 20 CAD (10 x 2).
RTP stands for Return to Player, which denotes the percentage of invested funds that players can expect to recover over the long run. For instance, the RTP of European roulette is 97.30%, meaning that for every 100 CAD wagered, you can expect to win back 97.30 CAD.
The most profitable variation in the long run is the one with the lowest house edge, as it reduces the potential for losses. In this context, French roulette, which implements the La Partage rule, offers the most profitable option with a house edge of 1.35%.
Cold numbers are those that have not been selected for a significant period, while hot numbers are frequently chosen. For example, if 'red 7' has appeared twice in the last 10 spins, it would be considered a hot number.
Even money bets refer to bets that pay out at a 1:1 ratio. For instance, if you wager 1 CAD and win, the payout will also be 1 CAD. In roulette, even money bets include red/black, odd/even, and low/high. These bets offer the highest chances of winning.
The number 0 is the only green number on the roulette wheel. Players can place bets on this number, and a straight bet on 0 pays out at 35:1, just like any other straight bet.
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