Roulette is one of the simplest and most recognisable casino games. A dealer spins a wheel and rolls a ball the other way. You bet on where the ball will land. There are no cards to learn and no decisions to make once the bet is down.
This guide explains how roulette works in plain English. You will learn the wheel types, the bets and what each one pays. We also cover the house edge, the common betting systems and some simple tips for beginners.
It is written for first-timers. For other games, see our full set of casino game guides.
A Short History Of Roulette
Roulette is French for little wheel. The game is often linked to the French mathematician Blaise Pascal. In the 1650s, he was working on a perpetual motion machine, and a wheel that kept spinning was one result. Whether he meant it as a game is unclear. Even so, early roulette wheels appeared in France in the 1700s.
The first wheels had a single zero and a double zero. In 1843, brothers François and Louis Blanc opened a casino in Bad Homburg, Germany. They dropped the double zero to give players better odds. The change drew crowds. The single zero wheel later became the standard in Monte Carlo and across Europe.
In the United States, the double zero wheel stayed popular. For that reason, there are now two main versions. They are called European and American roulette.
| Period | What changed |
|---|---|
| 1650s | Blaise Pascal’s work leads to an early roulette wheel |
| 1700s | Roulette wheels appear in French gambling houses |
| 1843 | The Blanc brothers introduce a single zero wheel in Germany |
| 1800s | The single zero wheel spreads across Europe |
| Late 1990s onward | Online and live dealer roulette appear |
Today, roulette is played in land-based casinos all over the world. Online, you can play it any time of the day or night.
How Roulette Works
The game uses a wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball. Here is a round from start to finish.
- Place your bets. Put chips on the table layout, or click on the screen. You can place more than one bet.
- The dealer spins. The wheel turns one way, and the ball goes the other way.
- No more bets. The dealer calls this as the ball slows down.
- The ball lands. It settles in one pocket, which sets the winning number.
- Winners are paid. The dealer clears losing bets and pays winning ones.
Each spin is independent. The ball has no memory of past results. So a number that has just come up has the same chance as any other on the next spin.
European, American And French Roulette
The wheel type is the most important choice you make. It changes the house edge by a large amount.
| Version | Pockets | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| European | 37 (1 to 36 and a single 0) | About 2.70% |
| American | 38 (1 to 36, 0 and 00) | About 5.26% |
| French, with La Partage | 37, with a half refund on even-money bets if zero lands | About 1.35% on those bets |
The extra double zero pocket on the American wheel doubles the house edge. If you can choose, always pick European. French roulette uses the same wheel as European. It has a French layout and sometimes a rule called La Partage. This rule returns half of your even-money bet when the ball lands on zero.
The Roulette Layout
The table has two main areas. The inside area holds the numbers. The outside area holds the larger groups, such as colours and dozens.
- Inside bets cover single numbers or small groups of numbers. They pay more but win less often.
- Outside bets cover large groups of numbers. They pay less but win more often.
The numbers on the wheel are not in numerical order. Red and black pockets alternate around the wheel. The zero pockets are green.
Inside Bets
These bets are placed on the numbers themselves. Payouts are shown as odds, so 35 to 1 means you win 35 times your bet.
| Bet | What you bet on | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | One number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | Two neighbouring numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street | A row of three numbers | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | Four numbers that meet at one point | 8 to 1 |
| Six line | Two neighbouring rows, or six numbers | 5 to 1 |
Outside Bets
| Bet | What you bet on | Pays | Chance on a European wheel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red or black | The colour of the winning number | 1 to 1 | About 48.6% |
| Odd or even | Whether the number is odd or even | 1 to 1 | About 48.6% |
| High or low | 19 to 36, or 1 to 18 | 1 to 1 | About 48.6% |
| Dozen | 1 to 12, 13 to 24 or 25 to 36 | 2 to 1 | About 32.4% |
| Column | One of the three columns of 12 numbers | 2 to 1 | About 32.4% |
Zero is neither odd, even, red nor black. This is how the house gets its edge on these bets. When the ball lands on zero, outside bets lose.
The Odds Are The Same On Most Bets
Many players are surprised by this fact. On a given wheel, almost every bet has the same house edge. A bet on red costs you the same over time as a straight up bet on one number. The only difference is how the wins arrive.
Here is a simple example. Say you spend R500 in total bets on a European wheel. The expected loss is about R13.50. On an American wheel, it is about R26.30. This is true whether you bet on one number or on red. The difference is the swing. Outside bets win often with small wins. Inside bets win rarely with big wins.
One bet on the American wheel is worse. It is called the basket bet. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, and the house edge is about 7.89%. Avoid it.
Special Bets On The French Layout
French tables often have extra bets that cover sections of the wheel. They are also called announced bets. You may see them online.
| Bet | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Voisins du zéro | The 17 numbers that sit near the zero on the wheel |
| Tiers du cylindre | 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel from zero |
| Orphelins | The numbers left over, in two small groups |
| Jeu zéro | The numbers closest to zero |
These bets are made up of several smaller bets. The house edge stays the same as on a regular bet.
Roulette Terms Explained
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Croupier | The dealer who runs the table |
| One of the numbered slots on the wheel | |
| Inside bet | A bet on single numbers or small groups |
| Outside bet | A bet on large groups, such as colours |
| Even money | A bet that pays 1 to 1 |
| La Partage | A rule that returns half your even-money bet on zero |
| En prison | A rule that leaves your even-money bet for one more spin on zero |
| Table limits | The smallest and largest bets the table allows |
| Chip | A token used to place bets |
Popular Roulette Variations
Most online casinos offer several types of roulette. The core rules stay the same.
| Variation | What is different |
|---|---|
| European roulette | A single zero wheel with the lowest standard house edge |
| American roulette | A double zero wheel with a higher house edge |
| French roulette | A French layout, often with La Partage or En prison |
| Live dealer roulette | A real dealer spins the wheel and streams it to you |
| Multi-wheel roulette | You bet on several wheels at once |
| Multiplier roulette | Random bonus multipliers apply, but standard payouts are often cut |
Start with European roulette. Check the payouts on any special version before you play. A big multiplier may come with lower regular payouts.
Roulette Betting Systems
Many players use a betting system. The best known is the Martingale. You double your bet after every loss, hoping to win it all back with a single win. It sounds clever, but it has a problem. A long losing run can ask for a huge bet. Table limits also stop you from doubling forever.
Other systems raise your bets after a win, or follow set patterns. None of them can change the house edge. They only change how your wins and losses are spread out. As a result, treat them as entertainment, not a way to beat the game.
How Much Should You Bet?
Set your budget before you play. Then pick a bet size that lets you enjoy a decent session. With R500, a bet of R10 gives you 50 spins if you lose every one. A bet of R25 gives you only 20.
Outside bets make a small budget last longer, because they win more often. Inside bets add excitement but can drain your money faster. Many players mix the two. They place small bets on a few numbers and a bigger bet on an outside bet.
Tips For Beginners
- Choose European roulette. The single zero halves the house edge.
- Look for La Partage. It lowers the cost of even-money bets.
- Set a budget first. Decide how much you can lose, and stop when it is gone.
- Avoid the basket bet. It has the worst odds on the table.
- Start with outside bets. They suit small budgets.
- Take breaks. Spins come quickly, so set a time limit too.
Common Roulette Myths
| Myth | The truth |
|---|---|
| A number is due after a long wait | Every spin is independent |
| Red must come after five blacks | The wheel has no memory, so the chance is unchanged |
| Hot and cold numbers can be tracked | Past spins do not predict future spins on a fair wheel |
| A betting system can beat the house | No system changes the house edge |
| Inside bets have better odds | The house edge is the same on most bets |
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Playing American roulette by accident. Check for the double zero before you bet.
- Using the basket bet. Its edge is more than 7%.
- Trusting a system. It cannot change the odds.
- Chasing losses. Raising bets to win it back can drain your money fast.
- Believing in streaks. Past spins do not change the next one.
Roulette Compared With Craps And Baccarat
| Feature | Roulette | Craps | Baccarat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Gentle | Steeper | Gentle |
| Best house edge | About 2.7% (European) | 0% on odds bets | About 1.06% on Banker |
| Skill | None | Choosing bets | None |
| Pace | Steady | Fast | Fast |
If you enjoy a dice game with more bets, try our craps guide. If you prefer a lower house edge, our baccarat guide is worth a read.
Playing Roulette In South Africa
You will find roulette tables in most land-based casinos in South Africa. They are licensed and regulated by the provincial gambling boards. You must be 18 or older to play.
Online roulette is a different matter. The National Gambling Act of 2004 does not allow online casino gambling in South Africa. No South African online casino licence exists. Offshore sites accept South African players, but they are not licensed here. As a result, you have no local regulator to turn to if something goes wrong. Our online gambling laws guide explains the position in detail.
If you choose to play at an offshore site, read our online casino reviews first. They show the bonus rules and the licence details for each site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is roulette a game of skill or luck?
It is pure luck. The ball lands at random, so nothing you do changes the result.
What is the best bet in roulette?
Almost all bets cost the same over time on a given wheel. The wheel matters more. Choose European roulette, and look for La Partage on even-money bets.
What is the difference between European and American roulette?
European roulette has one zero. American roulette has a zero and a double zero. The extra pocket doubles the house edge, from about 2.7% to about 5.3%.
Does the Martingale system work?
No. It cannot change the odds. A long losing run can also hit the table limit or empty your balance.
Are red and black equally likely?
Yes, there are 18 of each. However, the green zero makes both slightly less than 50%.
Is online roulette legal in South Africa?
No. The National Gambling Act of 2004 does not permit online casino gambling, and no South African online casino licence exists. Land-based casinos are licensed by provincial gambling boards.
Where To Play Roulette Online
Online casino gambling is not licensed in South Africa. The sites below are offshore, and you play at your own risk. Read each review before you deposit, and remember that you must be 18 or older. We checked these game lists on 8 November 2026.
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Thunderbolt Casino Lists European and American roulette among its table games. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
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Springbok Casino Lists roulette in its table games, alongside blackjack and baccarat. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
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Carousel Bets Offers live roulette alongside live blackjack and baccarat. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Only play with money you can afford to lose. If gambling is causing you harm, call the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation helpline on 0800 006 008.