Roulette is one of the most well-loved classic casino games across the world. Known for its fast-paced gameplay, plentiful betting options, and customisable risk levels, roulette appeals to a broad range of players.
Roulette games come in many different formats online, from RNG-based video games to immersive live casino titles, all with the same basic game rules, plus some additions, depending on which version you’re playing.
In this article, we talk you through the basics of roulette and how to get started, plus your betting options and what to look out for in the most common variants of this popular table game.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about playing roulette and find out how you can start playing today here at Betano Casino.
What is Roulette?
While the origins of roulette aren’t 100% known, it is widely believed that it first appeared in 17th-century France in a more basic format before morphing into the game we recognise today with its horizontal gaming wheel sometime in the 18th century.
Today, it’s one of the most widely played casino table games in both online and land-based casinos, in part due to the versatility of your betting options and in part due to its interactive nature—especially when playing at land-based venues.
The game is played on a giant roulette wheel with coloured, numbered pockets. Your objective is to predict which pocket the roulette ball will land in and place your bets accordingly.
The Basics of Roulette
The game of roulette has two main components: the horizontal gaming wheel and the betting table. The roulette wheel is segmented into numbered pockets, either 37 if you’re playing the European variant or 38 pockets for the American version.
All numbered pockets are either red or black in colour, except for the zero—and double zero in the case of American rules—which is always green. The wheel also features a small ball that runs along a track on the outer edge of the wheel, which is used to determine the winning number of each game round.
The second component, the betting table, again will have varying layouts based on the particular game you are playing, but the concept remains the same. The table is laid out in a grid showing the various betting options available, known as inside bets and outside bets, based on their position on the table.
Some versions feature a separate racetrack layout with additional betting options, which we will discuss below.
The gameplay involves your host spinning the roulette wheel in one direction and the small ball in the other. Your objective is to accurately guess which pocket you think the ball will land in when the wheel stops spinning and place bets to that effect.
To bet on a game round, you must use casino chips to cover your chosen betting position/s on the table during the allocated betting period. You can choose from a selection of different bets, each with different configurations, risk levels and payout odds.
The table below shows your betting options while playing classic European roulette:
| Bet Type | Configuration | Numbers | Payout |
| Inside Bets | |||
| Straight Up | Covers one number | 1 | 35:1 |
| Split | Covers two adjacent numbers | 2 | 17:1 |
| Street | Covers three consecutive numbers in a horizontal line | 3 | 11:1 |
| Corner/Basket | Covers four numbers in a square | 4 | 8:1 |
| Line | Covers six consecutive numbers over two horizontal lines | 6 | 5:1 |
| Outside Bets | |||
| Column | Covers a column of 12 numbers | 12 | 2:1 |
| Dozen | Covers 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36) | 12 | 2:1 |
| Red/Black | Covers all red or all black numbers | Red or black | 1:1 |
| Even/Odd | Covers all odd or all even numbers | Even or odd | 1:1 |
| Low/High | Covers either the low (1-18) or high (19-36) numbers | Low or high | 1:1 |
How to Play Roulette
To start playing roulette at Betano Casino, you’ll need to log into your account and ensure it is adequately funded. If you’re not registered, you can easily do so today by clicking the ‘sign up’ button and following the prompts.
Remember that under UK law, you must be over 18 years of age to play, and ID verification will be required before we can process any payments.
Once you’re signed up and logged in, select a roulette game in the Betano lobby and click on the game tile to launch your session. Remember that different game variants have slightly different rules, so read through the rules of the particular game you are playing before you start.
Roulette Rules
There are three main roulette variants, known as European, French, and American roulette, which we will examine in more detail now. Many different versions also exist with special bonuses, additional bets, and unique features, but this guide will focus on the basics.
The table below gives you an overview of how these popular variants differ:
| Quality | French Roulette | American Roulette | European Roulette |
| Number of Pockets | 37 | 38 | 37 |
| House Edge | 1.35% | 5.26% | 2.70% |
| En Prison Rule | Yes | No | No |
| La Partage Rule | Yes | No | No |
| Unique Bets | Yes | Yes | No |
European Roulette
European roulette is the most common version of this popular casino game. The game features a roulette wheel with 37 pockets numbered 0 through 36, appearing in a traditional layout with a single zero pocket.
Your betting options in the European version of the game follow straightforward rules, including standard and call bets. Typically, the house edge for European roulette is 2.70%.
American Roulette
The American roulette variant uses a wheel that features an additional double zero pocket and has its numbers arranged in a different order.
The standout difference in this version of the game is the increased house edge, which is 5.36%, which increases your risk but also the game’s excitement. Some versions offer a five-number bet or basket bet, which is unique to the American game.
French Roulette
French roulette uses the same standard European gaming wheel with 37 pockets but offers two unique rules that can significantly impact your game and the house edge. These rules are designed to help players when the ball falls in the zero pocket and work as follows:
- La Partage: This is a special rule that applies to even money bets when the ball lands on zero. You will only forfeit half your bet in this instance, which reduces the house edge.
- En Prison: This second rule has a similar function to the La Partage rule, which is to reduce the impact of the zero pocket on outside bets. In this instance, you are given a choice of taking half your wager back or leaving it “in prison” and making the same bet again. If you win the next round, your previous bet is released.
Both of these rules reduce the house edge for even-money bets in French roulette to 1.35%, which can greatly benefit beginner players.
How to Choose your Bet
There are several betting options in roulette. The best for you will depend on the type of player you are and whether you want to play high- or low-risk. For beginner players, it’s always best to start with low-risk betting until you understand the gameplay better.
The two overarching betting types are inside and outside bets, names which describe their position on the betting table and the risk factor. We have summarised the fundamental differences in the table below:
| Inside Bets | Outside Bets |
| Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or groups of numbers within the main grid of the roulette table. | Outside bets are placed on the larger sections of the betting table, outside the main grid. |
| Very specific bets that include either just one number or small groups of numbers. | Broader bets include a large selection of numbers. |
| Expect higher payouts but lower odds of winning. Due to the potential for larger wins, there is more excitement. | Expect lower payouts with higher odds of winning. |
When to quit playing
As with any other online gambling game, getting the most out of your online roulette experience is about managing your expectations and knowing when to stop playing. At Betano Casino, we are committed to responsible gambling and offer a range of tools and additional resources on our Safer Gambling Portal to help you exercise responsible gambling practices whenever you are playing at our casino.
We recommend taking a few measures to help you, such as our limit-setting tool to better manage your bankroll and time spent gambling online. It’s also important to take regular breaks, as online casino games can be very immersive, and it can be easy to lose track of time.
Above all, remember that roulette is a game of chance that cannot be predicted except by chance. Keep this in mind while playing to help manage your expectations so you can relax and have fun playing one of the most iconic casino games of all time.