Roulette Guide: Rules, Bets and House Edge

Short answer: In roulette, you bet on the numbered pocket where a ball will stop. A single-zero wheel has 37 pockets, a double-zero wheel has 38 and a triple-zero wheel has 39. With standard payouts, the extra green pockets increase the house edge from 2.70 percent to 5.26 percent and 7.69 percent respectively. No staking system changes those probabilities.

Commercial disclosure: SureBets may earn commission from some links to reviewed gambling sites. That relationship does not change a wheel, payout or probability. This guide explains the game and does not recommend roulette as a way to earn money.

How Roulette Works

A standard roulette layout contains the numbers 1 to 36, split between red and black, plus one or more green zero pockets. The dealer or software closes betting, spins the wheel and ball in opposite directions, and settles every wager from the pocket where the ball stops.

You do not need to predict a sequence. Each completed spin starts a new random event. On a fair wheel, five red results in a row do not make black due on the sixth spin.

European, American and Triple-Zero Roulette

• Single-zero roulette: numbers 1 to 36 plus 0, for 37 pockets.
• Double-zero roulette: numbers 1 to 36 plus 0 and 00, for 38 pockets.
• Triple-zero roulette: numbers 1 to 36 plus 0, 00 and 000, for 39 pockets.

The coloured number layout may look similar, but the extra green pockets materially change the mathematics. Check the wheel and the rules panel rather than relying on a thumbnail or the word European in a game title.

Roulette Bet Types

Inside bets cover individual numbers or small groups on the numbered grid:

• Straight up: one number, commonly paid at 35 to 1.
• Split: two adjacent numbers, commonly paid at 17 to 1.
• Street: one row of three numbers, commonly paid at 11 to 1.
• Corner: four adjoining numbers, commonly paid at 8 to 1.
• Six line: two neighbouring rows, commonly paid at 5 to 1.

Outside bets cover larger groups:

• red or black;
• odd or even;
• 1 to 18 or 19 to 36;
• one of three dozens;
• one of three columns.

A bet covering more numbers wins more often but pays less. Under a standard paytable, moving between inside and outside bets changes volatility and hit frequency. It does not remove the wheel's built-in advantage.

Roulette House Edge Explained

An even-money bet covers 18 numbered pockets. Zero is not included. On a single-zero wheel, the bet wins on 18 pockets and loses on 19. The expected loss is therefore one unit across 37 equally likely outcomes:

1 divided by 37 = 2.70 percent house edge.

On a double-zero wheel, 18 pockets win and 20 lose. The two-unit difference across 38 outcomes produces:

2 divided by 38 = 5.26 percent house edge.

On a triple-zero wheel, the equivalent calculation is:

3 divided by 39 = 7.69 percent house edge.

The same standard house edge applies to the main bet types on each wheel because the usual payouts are set below fair odds by the same proportion. A non-standard paytable can change the result, so inspect the exact game before betting.

La Partage and En Prison

Some single-zero tables apply a special rule to qualifying even-money bets when zero wins:

• La partage: half the stake is returned and half is lost.
• En prison: the stake is held for another spin under the table's published settlement rule.

With standard la partage on a single-zero wheel, the theoretical house edge on eligible even-money bets is halved to about 1.35 percent. The rule normally does not apply to dozens, columns or inside bets. Read the table rules because names and settlement details can vary.

Why Roulette Systems Do Not Beat the Wheel

Systems such as Martingale, Fibonacci and Labouchere change the stake after a result. They do not change the number of pockets, the payout or the probability of the next spin.

A progression can produce many small winning sequences before one long losing run creates a large loss. Table limits and a finite bankroll prevent unlimited doubling. The system therefore changes the timing and size of losses, not the expected value of the underlying wager.

Pattern boards also describe past spins. They do not show that a colour, number or section is due. The UK Gambling Commission's random-outcome standard requires licensed remote games in its scope to produce acceptably random and unpredictable results without adaptive behaviour.

RNG Roulette Versus Live Roulette

RNG roulette uses software to select an outcome. Live roulette streams a physical wheel from a studio. The presentation differs, but neither format automatically has a lower house edge.

For an RNG game, verify the exact wheel, paytable, stated RTP and game provider. For a live game, also check the decision timer, minimum and maximum stake, stream delay and interrupted-round policy. A stream interruption after a wager is accepted does not necessarily cancel the result.

The Commission's rules and likelihood standard requires applicable information to be available before a customer commits to gamble within its licensing scope. Check the regulator that applies in your own location.

How to Compare a Roulette Table

1. Count the green pockets: prefer fewer zeros when standard payouts are otherwise identical.
2. Open the rules: confirm payouts, special zero rules and settlement details.
3. Check limits: note table minimums, maximums and any lower limit for individual numbers.
4. Separate side features: multipliers and bonus wheels can use a different paytable and RTP.
5. Review interruptions: understand what happens if the stream or device disconnects.
6. Set a fixed limit: decide money and time limits before the first spin.

Use the casino table games guide to compare roulette with blackjack and baccarat, or read the casino game safety guide before checking an operator.

Roulette FAQ

Which roulette version has the lowest standard house edge?

A single-zero wheel has a 2.70 percent house edge under standard payouts. Eligible even-money bets can be about 1.35 percent when a genuine la partage rule applies. Always verify the exact paytable.

Does red become more likely after several black results?

No. Past spins do not make the opposite colour due. Each fair spin is a new random event with probabilities determined by the wheel.

Can Martingale guarantee a profit?

No. It increases stakes after losses but does not change the negative expected value. A long losing run, table limit or bankroll limit can create a large loss.

Do inside bets have a worse house edge?

Under the standard paytable, main inside and outside bets share the same wheel-specific house edge. Inside bets are more volatile because they win less often and pay more when they do.

Responsible Gambling

Roulette has a built-in mathematical cost and can lose money quickly at a fast table. Treat any stake as entertainment spending, never borrow to play and do not increase bets to recover a loss.

Stop when the preset money or time limit is reached. If gambling is affecting bills, work, sleep or relationships, use time-out or self-exclusion tools and seek independent help. Our responsible gambling policy lists further checks and support routes.