How to play roulette: bets, payouts and odds
Roulette looks busy, but every bet is either on specific numbers or on a big group of them. Once you know what each bet pays and why the zero matters, you know the game.
The wheel
A European roulette wheel has 37 pockets: numbers 1 to 36, alternately red and black, plus a single green zero. You place your chips on the table layout, the dealer spins the wheel and ball, and the pocket the ball lands in is the winning number.
Inside bets
| Bet | Covers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8 to 1 |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5 to 1 |
Inside bets pay more because they’re less likely to win.
Outside bets
| Bet | Covers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Red or black | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Odd or even | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| High (19 to 36) or low (1 to 18) | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Dozen | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 |
The zero is neither red nor black, odd nor even, so all outside bets lose when it comes up.
Where the house edge comes from
Every bet pays slightly less than its true odds. A straight-up bet covers 1 of 37 numbers, so fair odds would be 36 to 1, but it pays 35 to 1. That gap gives European roulette a house edge of 2.70% on every standard bet.
American roulette adds a double zero, making 38 pockets but keeping the same payouts. The house edge rises to 5.26%. Where you have a choice, pick European. Some games also offer “la partage”, which returns half of an even-money stake when zero lands, cutting the edge on those bets to 1.35%.
Why betting systems don’t work
Systems such as the Martingale, doubling your stake after every loss, don’t change the house edge. Each spin is independent. A system only changes how your stakes rise and fall, and a losing run can quickly hit your budget or the table maximum.
Practise for free
Try every bet type on our free European roulette game before you play for real. The odds are identical; only the money is missing.
How to play roulette FAQs
What is the best bet in roulette?
All standard bets on a European wheel have the same 2.70% house edge. Even-money bets win more often but pay less.
Why is European roulette better than American?
European roulette has one zero and a 2.70% house edge. American roulette has two zeros and a 5.26% edge.
What happens to my bet if zero comes up?
Inside bets on zero win. Outside bets lose, unless the table offers la partage or en prison rules.
Can a roulette system beat the casino?
No. Betting systems change how you stake, not the odds of each spin.
Related guides
Free European rouletteTry every bet type for free.Casino house edgeWhich games give you the best odds.How to play blackjackRules, moves and basic strategy.
Live casino explainedReal dealers, real tables, what to know.18+. Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money. Please gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.