Roulette Rules for Beginners — Learn How to Play (and Win!) in Minutes

Types of Online Roulette

Online roulette isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience — it comes in several exciting flavors. Whether you’re a fan of classic gameplay or looking for something with a modern spin, there’s a version of roulette tailored to your style. Each variant offers unique roulette rules casino, odds, and features, keeping the game fresh and full of surprises. In our opinion, roulette isn’t just one game; it’s a world of possibilities with each variant bringing its own twist.

European Roulette Rules

This classic wheel has a single green zero and 37 pockets. With a house edge of 2.7%, it’s the friendliest option for beginners, offering a good balance between risk and reward. It’s the gold standard for online roulette and a great place to start learning the ropes.

American Roulette Rules

Adding a second green zero (00) brings the total pockets to 38, but beware — this doubles the house edge to over 5%. It’s popular in U.S. casinos and familiar to many players, but that extra zero means the odds are a bit tougher for you.

French Roulette Rules

Sharing the same layout as European roulette, French roulette offers some clever twists like La Partage and En Prison. These rules soften the blow on even-money bets, cutting the house edge nearly in half, down to around 1.35%. Elegant and player-friendly, French roulette adds a touch of class to your game.

Other Popular Variants (e.g., Lightning, Mini Roulette)

Beyond the classics, you’ll find exciting variations like Lightning Roulette, which zaps random wins with multipliers for electrifying payouts, or Mini Roulette, which speeds up play with a smaller wheel of just 13 pockets. Double Ball Roulette doubles the thrill with two balls, and Multi-Wheel Roulette lets you bet on several wheels at once — more wheels, more fun!

Types of Bets and Their Rules

Roulette is like a playground of bets, from bold single numbers to safer color bets. Each bet type comes with its own risk level, payout ratio, and strategic value. Whether you’re feeling lucky or playing it safe, understanding these bets is key to making smart choices at the table..

Inside Bets

Inside bets are for players who like to take bigger risks for bigger rewards. These bets focus on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. If you win, the payouts are high, but since you’re picking fewer numbers, the chances of winning are lower. These bets are placed inside the number grid on the roulette table.

• Straight-Up: You place your chip on a single number, like 7 or 23. If the ball lands on that number, you win 35 times your bet!
• Split: Place your chip on the line between two numbers that are next to each other (like 8 and 11). If either hits, you win 17 to 1.
• Street: Bet on a row of three numbers in a line (like 1, 2, 3). If any of those three numbers wins, you get paid 11 to 1.
• Corner: Cover four numbers that make a square (like 10, 11, 13, 14). If the ball hits any of them, you win 8 to 1.
• Six Line: Bet on two rows of three numbers each — that’s six numbers in total (like 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). If one hits, you get paid 5 to 1.

Outside Bets

Outside bets are perfect for players who like a more relaxed and steady pace. These bets cover bigger sections of the roulette wheel, so they win more often, but the payouts are smaller. They’re placed outside of the number grid.

• Red or Black: Just choose whether the ball will land on a red or black number. If you’re right, you win 1 to 1 — simple!
• Odd or Even: Bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even. Another easy 1 to 1 payout.
• Dozens: Pick a group of 12 numbers: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. If the ball lands in your dozen, you win 2 to 1.
• Columns: Choose one of the three vertical columns on the table layout. If the ball lands on a number in that column, you win 2 to 1.
• High or Low: Bet on whether the number will be low (1–18) or high (19–36). Pays 1 to 1, and it’s a favorite for beginners.

Special and Call Bets (Advanced)

If you’re playing French roulette (or some versions of European roulette), you might come across special bets known as call bets or announced bets. These aren’t about picking numbers on the table — they’re based on how numbers are arranged on the roulette wheel itself.

• Voisins du Zéro (“Neighbors of Zero”): Covers the numbers closest to the 0 on the wheel. It includes 17 numbers and is popular with many players.
• Orphelins (“Orphans”): These are the numbers that aren’t included in the other special bets. A bet on Orphelins covers 8 specific numbers.
• Tiers du Cylindre (“Third of the Wheel”): Covers 12 numbers opposite the 0 section on the wheel. It’s one-third of the entire wheel.
• Neighbors: This is a bet on a number and the two numbers on each side of it on the wheel — five numbers total. For example, if you bet on 10 and its neighbors, you’re also betting on 5, 8, 10, 23, and 24.

Payouts and Odds

One of the most exciting things about roulette is that it gives you the freedom to choose between high-risk, high-reward bets or safer, steadier options. Each type of bet has its own payout, which means how much you win, and odds, or how likely that win is. Understanding the roulette wheel rules helps you grasp these numbers better, so you can play smarter and enjoy the game more. Let’s break it down in a way that’s super simple to follow.

Payout Table for Each Bet Type

Here’s a quick look at the different kinds of bets you can place in roulette, along with how much each one pays if you win. The higher the payout, the harder it is to hit — but that’s where the thrill comes in!

This table gives you a snapshot of what’s possible — whether you go bold with a single number or stick with something safer like red or even.

House Edge in Different Variants

The house edge is the built-in advantage the casino has on every bet. It’s how the game stays profitable over time, but some versions of roulette are kinder to players than others!

• European Roulette: This version has just one zero (0), which gives the house an edge of about 2.7%. It’s one of the best options for beginners.
• American Roulette: It has both a zero (0) and a double zero (00), raising the house edge to around 5.26%. That extra zero makes a difference!
• French Roulette: Like European roulette, it has only one zero, but it also adds special rules like La Partage or En Prison that can cut the house edge on even-money bets down to 1.35%.

So, if you want better odds, it’s smart to choose French or European versions when available.

Impact of Rules on RTP (Return to Player)

RTP stands for Return to Player, and it tells you how much of your money you’re expected to win back over time. For example, if a game has an RTP of 97%, that means for every $100 you bet, you’ll likely get back $97, though not all at once, of course!

Here’s how different rules and versions affect the RTP:

• European Roulette: RTP is usually around 97.3%, which means you get a fair return.
• American Roulette: The RTP drops to 94.74%, because of the extra zero.
• French Roulette: With rules like La Partage, RTP for even-money bets can go as high as 98.65%, making it the most player-friendly version.

How to Place Bets in Online Roulette: Step-by-Step Process

Playing roulette online is straightforward and satisfying.

1. Pick your preferred roulette variant.
2. Select your chip value — you’ll see different sizes representing amounts.
3. Drag and drop your chips onto numbers, colors, or sections on the betting table.
4. Hit the “Spin” button and watch the ball dance around the wheel.
5. Celebrate your win or prepare for the next round — payouts happen instantly.

Betting Limits and Table Minimums

Every roulette game sets minimum and maximum bets to keep the table fair and fun for all players. If you’re new, start with small bets to learn the game’s rhythm and get familiar with the online casino roulette betting rules before raising the stakes. This way, you keep the fun going and avoid surprises.

Using Betting Chips and Interface Tools

Online roulette interfaces have handy tools to make your play smooth:

• Chip sizes: Pick the amount you want to bet, from small to large.
• Undo/Clear: Made a mistake? Easily remove chips before spinning.
• Rebet: Quickly place the same bet again without dragging chips.
• Autoplay: Set the game to spin automatically for several rounds — perfect when you want to relax and watch.

Special Rules in Online Roulette

French roulette brings some unique rules that soften losses and add strategy:

• La Partage: If the ball lands on zero, you lose only half your even-money bet instead of all.
• En Prison: Your bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin if zero hits. If the next spin wins, you get your bet back; if not, you lose it.

These rules make French roulette a favorite for cautious players.

Auto-Spin and Quick Bet Options

Modern online roulette is built for convenience. Auto-spin lets you set a number of spins to run automatically, while quick bet features speed up your play by repeating your previous bets with one click. It’s great if you want to multitask or test out strategies quickly while staying within the framework of typical casino games roulette rules.

Game-Specific Features (e.g., Racetrack View, Favorite Bets)

Some games include extra options to enhance your experience:

• Racetrack View: See the wheel’s sections on a “racetrack” graphic, which is useful for call bets.
• Favorite Bets: Save your favorite combinations for quick access next time.
• Hot/Cold Numbers: Track numbers that appear often or rarely — fun for players who like to spot trends (though remember, roulette is all about luck!).

Common Mistakes When Playing Online Roulette

Even the most enthusiastic beginners can trip up when they first step into the world of online roulette. While the game looks simple — spin the wheel, place a bet, and hope for the best — there are a few common pitfalls that can drain your chips faster than you can say “red or black.” A solid understanding of roulette betting rules and awareness of roulette rules and odds can make all the difference.

Let’s go over the biggest mistakes players make and how to avoid them, so you can keep your gameplay smooth, smart, and fun.

Misunderstanding Bet Types

One of the most common beginner mistakes is mixing up inside bets and outside bets, or not fully understanding what each bet actually covers. For example, placing a chip on the line between two numbers (a split bet) is very different from placing it on a color or column. Each bet type has its own roulette rules, payout, and chance of winning, and not knowing the difference can lead to confusion and wasted money.

Before spinning the wheel, take a moment to get comfortable with the roulette table rules. Learn which bets are high-risk (like straight-up bets) and which ones are safer but lower paying (like red/black). The more you understand your betting options, the more control you’ll have over your game.

Ignoring Variant-Specific Rules

Not all roulette wheels are created equal. European, American, and French roulette each have different layouts and unique rules, and if you ignore those differences, you might be giving up your edge without even realizing it. For instance, French roulette rules like La Partage and En Prison can actually return part of your money on certain losses, but only if you know how to take advantage of them.

Always check the roulette variant before you play. Knowing the rules of roulette for your chosen game could mean the difference between a smart bet and a costly mistake. Don’t assume every wheel plays the same — read the fine print!

Overlooking the House Edge

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget that the casino roulette rules are always in the house’s favor, but to play successfully, you need to keep the house edge in mind. That extra green zero (or double zero) might not seem like much, but it’s what gives the casino its mathematical advantage.

For example, American roulette has a house edge of over 5%, while European roulette drops to 2.7%, and French roulette can go as low as 1.35% on even bets. Choosing a lower-edge version gives you a better chance at keeping your money in play longer. So don’t overlook the math — even in a game of luck, the numbers still matter!