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Roulette 101 – European vs American, Bets, Payouts & House Edge

Roulette looks simple: pick numbers or colours, spin the wheel. Underneath, wheel type and bet selection have a big impact on how much you’re expected to lose over time. This guide walks through rules, bets, payouts, house edge and common myths.

Quick takeaway: whenever possible, play European roulette (single zero) instead of American (double zero). That one decision almost halves the house edge.

1. European vs American Roulette Wheels

The most important roulette decision happens before you place a single chip: choosing which wheel to play.

Wheel Type Pockets Zeroes Typical House Edge
European 37 (0–36) Single 0 2.70%
American 38 (0, 00, 1–36) 0 and 00 5.26%

The payouts on most bets don’t change between European and American wheels – but adding the 00 pocket quietly increases the casino’s edge.

Roulette Basics Wheel Types

2. Inside vs Outside Bets

Roulette bets are often grouped into “inside” and “outside” bets. The difference is risk and volatility – not house edge.

Inside bets (higher risk, higher payouts)

  • Straight up: one number (pays 35:1).
  • Split: two adjacent numbers (pays 17:1).
  • Street: three numbers in a row (pays 11:1).
  • Corner: four numbers meeting at a corner (pays 8:1).
  • Six line: two adjacent rows of three numbers (pays 5:1).

Outside bets (lower risk, lower payouts)

  • Red/Black – even money (1:1).
  • Odd/Even – even money (1:1).
  • High/Low (19–36 / 1–18) – even money (1:1).
  • Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) – pay 2:1.
  • Columns – pay 2:1.

3. Payouts & Implied Probability

Roulette payouts are simple to remember. The important part is understanding what those payouts imply about your long-term chances.

Bet Type European Win Chance* Payout House Edge
Straight up (single number) 1 / 37 ≈ 2.70% 35:1 2.70%
Split (2 numbers) 2 / 37 ≈ 5.41% 17:1 2.70%
Street (3 numbers) 3 / 37 ≈ 8.11% 11:1 2.70%
Corner (4 numbers) 4 / 37 ≈ 10.81% 8:1 2.70%
Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low 18 / 37 ≈ 48.65% 1:1 2.70%

*Approximations for European wheels with a single zero. American wheels have slightly worse probabilities due to the extra 00 pocket.

To see how these probabilities connect to odds formats and expected value, read Odds Explained and Expected Value (EV) for Gamblers.

4. Betting Systems (Martingale, etc.) and Why They Don’t Beat the Wheel

Roulette is full of betting systems: Martingale, Fibonacci, Labouchere and more. They change the way you bet, but they don’t change the odds.

Martingale in one paragraph

Bet 1 unit. If you lose, double to 2, then 4, then 8… until you win, then reset. The idea: one win recovers all previous losses and gives a profit of 1 unit.

  • Looks good on paper.
  • Crashes hard when you hit a long losing streak or table limits.
  • Does nothing to change the 2.70% or 5.26% house edge.

5. Bankroll & Session Tips for Roulette

Roulette is a pure luck game. Since you can’t gain a mathematical edge in standard play, your goal is to control how much you risk and how long you play.

  • Decide a session budget you can afford to lose 100%.
  • Break that budget into small units. Many players use 50–100 units per session.
  • Favour European (or French) wheels with better rules.
  • Use more outside bets if you want smoother swings; inside bets if you’re okay with long dry spells.
  • Set a time limit and stick to it, win or lose.
For a structured approach, see Bankroll Management for Beginners and run some scenarios using the tools in the Calculators Hub.

6. Online Roulette vs Live Roulette

Online roulette comes in two main flavours: RNG wheels (purely digital) and live-dealer streams of physical wheels.

  • RNG roulette: quick spins, many more rounds per hour. Make sure you’re playing at licensed sites with independently tested games.
  • Live roulette: slower pace, more social, similar to a real casino wheel streamed to your device.
  • Mobile play: convenient, but easy to spin absentmindedly. Use time and loss limits.

Check the rules screen to see whether you’re on European or American wheels and whether any French rules (la partage / en prison) apply to even-money bets.

7. Keeping Roulette in the “Fun Only” Zone

Roulette’s simplicity and speed make it easy to lose track of how much you’ve bet. Treat it as paid entertainment with a clear price tag.

  • Never chase losses by increasing bet size “until you get it back”.
  • Ignore betting systems that promise to beat the wheel.
  • Walk away when you hit your stop-loss or your time limit – even if you “almost” got even.
  • Stay honest about how gambling feels. If it’s no longer light and fun, step back.

If you’re worried about your roulette play, visit Responsible Gambling for tools, helplines and support in your region.

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