How to Play Roulette: The Ultimate 2025 Guide for New Players

Learn how to play roulette in this beginner’s guide covering roulette rules, odds, online play, betting systems, and strategy tips for smarter spins. This guide explains everything, from table layouts to betting systems, with tips for smarter and more enjoyable spins.

How to Play Roulette Online: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Playing games at online casinos is a great way to learn the ropes of roulette without risking too much. Free from peer pressure, impatient croupiers, and disgruntled gamblers at the thin end of their bankroll, you can take the time to learn the bets, the probabilities, the options, and the reality of roulette.

Here’s a step-by-step start:

How to Win at Roulette: Knowledge of Available Bets

Roulette is a game of chance. It’s not a career option. No strategy can improve your odds of winning.

However, you can make wise choices. Understanding roulette odds, bet types, and the risk versus reward is key to maximizing your time at the table. There are two main categories of roulette bets:

Inside Bets Mean Larger Payouts 

These are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. Inside bets offer higher payouts in exchange for lower chances of winning.

Straight Up 

Bet on a single number. Payout: 35:1

Split 

Bet between two adjacent numbers. Payout: 17:1

Street 

Bet on a row of three numbers. Payout: 11:1

Corner

Bet on a square of four numbers. Payout: 8:1

Line (Double Street)

Bet on two rows (six numbers). Payout: 5:1

Outside Bets Lead to Smaller Payouts

These cover larger groups of numbers and offer lower payouts but higher chances of winning. They are made outside the central numbered betting area. Ergo: ‘outside’.

• Red or Black
• Odd or Even
• High or Low (1–18 or 19–36). Each pays 1:1
• Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36). Payout: 2:1
• Columns (vertical set of 12 numbers). Payout: 2:1

Risk vs. Reward

Bet Type	Payout	Probability	Risk Level
Straight Up	35:1	2.7%	High
Split	17:1	5.4%	High
Street	11:1	8.1%	Medium
Red/Black	1:1	48.6%	Low
Even/Odd	1:1	48.6%	Low
Dozen/Column	2:1	32.4%	Medium

Recommended Bets for Beginners

If you’re new to roulette and you want to make your bankroll last for more than a few spins, start with some basic outside bets:

• Red/Black
• Odd/Even
• High/Low

These bets are simple, easy to track, and give you nearly 50/50 odds. You’re not going to win big. You just double your money. The zero will make all the outside bets a loss if it lands on that.

Of course, you won’t win every time. However, you’ll stay in the game longer and get a feel for how roulette works.

An Example of a Winning Roulette Hand

Let’s say you place $5 on Red, $2 on the First Dozen (1–12), and $1 on Number 7 (Straight Up). The ball lands on Red 7. Here’s your return:

• Red (1:1): Win $5
• First Dozen (2:1): Win $4
• Straight Up (35:1): Win $35
• Total Winnings: $44 from an $8 stake

You’ve just scored a roulette hat trick. It’s rare, but it does happen. One of the primary attractions of roulette is the possibility of a substantial win. If you are lucky enough to land a loaded single, you usually’ve paid for your night out. Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Popular Roulette Systems: Quickfire Overview

There is no strategy for predicting the outcome of roulette. However, there are some intriguing mathematical formulas designed to extend your bankroll. Most work only on even money bets. Whilst they are ingenious, none of them has any effect on the house edge.

Here’s a summary of the best-known betting systems:

Martingale system

Double your bet after every loss to chase a single win.

Reverse martingale (Paroli)

Increase your bet after a win, not a loss.

D’Alembert system

A gentler progression: increase bets by one unit after a loss, decrease after a win.

Fibonacci system

Follow the famous sequence to structure your bet progression.

Labouchère system

Cross numbers off a betting line as you win; add to it when you lose.

James Bond strategy

A flat betting system covering high and low ranges in one go.

Oscar’s grind

Small, measured bets to lock in gradual profit.

How to Play Roulette at a Casino 

Are you ready for the real thing? Online is fine, but it’s not the same. If you’re heading to the casino, roulette is the perfect game to play. There’s no strategy. There’s no skill. You just need the nod from Lady Luck. Here are some pointers to keep you looking cool, and in control, at the casino:

1. Find the right table. Tables are usually labelled with minimum and maximum bet limits. Find the price that suits your budget.
2. Buy chips. Unlike online play, in the casino, you exchange your cash for color-coded chips. These are specific to your session and can’t be used elsewhere. Don’t worry: the croupier knows what’s what.
3. Place your bets. Wait for the dealer to say ‘Place your bets!’ and put your chips on those (winning!) numbers, lines, corners, and combos. Stop betting when the dealer says, ‘No more bets.’
4. Watch that etiquette. Be cool and be respectful. It’s not the croupier’s fault that you keep missing your number by one pocket. Don’t touch the chips after the spin and avoid leaning over the table when the game’s in motion.
5. Wait for payouts. If you win, the dealer will put a dolly on top of the winning number. The remaining chips are swept away.

Key Differences: Online vs. In-Person Roulette

There are some key differences between online roulette and in-person roulette. The table below covers the basic variations between the two. 

Feature	Online Roulette	Casino Roulette
Convenience	Play anywhere, anytime	Must visit a physical location
Pace	Faster, player-controlled	Slower, dealer-controlled
Atmopshere	Simulated or live-dealer	Immersive, social, lively
Betting chips	Visual interface	Color-coded physical chips
Table limits	Wide range, low minimums	Higher minimums
Game variants	Easy access to all types	Usually limited to one or two styles

Regional Roulette Variations

Not all roulette wheels are created equal. Shop around before you take one for a spin.

American roulette

• Wheel layout: 38 pockets (numbers 1–36, plus 0 and 00)
• House edge: 5.26%
• Why it matters: that extra 00 slot increases the house edge; same bets, slightly worse odds.
• Common in: U.S. casinos, especially in Vegas and Atlantic City. Unless it’s the fourth of July, there’s absolutely no reason to play this version. Avoid, if possible.

European roulette

• Wheel layout: 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 plus a single 0)
• House edge: 2.7%
• Why it matters: The single zero means slightly better odds for the player.
• Best for beginners: Most online games use this version. You can also usually find it in any casino. It’s the ‘go-to’ for the rookie roulette player.

French roulette

• Wheel layout: 37 pockets (same as European)
• House edge: as low as 1.35% on even-money bets
• Special rules: “La Partage” and “En Prison”
  • These apply to even-money bets if the ball lands on 0.
  • La Partage: You get half your bet back.
  • En Prison: Your bet is held for the next spin. If it wins, you get it back.
• Good to know: This is the Holy Grail of roulette tables. If you are an outside player working a system, French roulette is le meilleur choix.

Our Expert Tips for Playing Roulette

If there was one singular tip to take to the roulette table, it’s this: have fun. Roulette is about managing both your mindset and your bankroll.

The two are fundamentally interlinked. Here are our top tips to help you stay in control and enjoy the game for longer.

Observe Before You Play

What’s the rush? Before you dive in, spend a few spins watching the table.

• Online: watch how quickly the game moves and where the betting options are. Several roulette apps offer demo modes. Use them.
• In-person: take note of table limits, how the dealer interacts, and the pace of the game.

Bankroll Management: Set a Budget and Stick to It

Roulette is relatively quick, and so are the losses if you don’t plan.

• Set a maximum limit before you start playing.
• Break your bankroll into smaller session chunks.
• Avoid the temptation to increase your bet size after a loss (also known as the Martingale trap – see below).
• Gamble responsibly and only with funds you can afford to lose, as there aren’t ever guaranteed wins in betting.

Know When to Walk Away

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but knowing when to bail out is crucial.

• Set both win goals and loss limits. ‘If I double my bankroll, I’ll cash out. If I lose half, I’ll stop.’
• Don’t chase losses. The wheel doesn’t owe you anything.

Take Advantage of Self-Exclusion and Time-Outs

If you’re playing online, most reputable casinos offer responsible gambling tools:

• Time-outs: Take a short break from your account.
• Deposit limits: Set a cap on your daily, weekly, or monthly spending to stay within your budget.
• Self-exclusion: Temporarily or permanently block access if things start to feel out of control.

Conclusion

Roulette is the perfect casino table game. The house edge is elegantly represented by the zero. The odds of the game are displayed in a brilliantly designed format.

Easy to play, simple to understand, and full of drama. Where will the ball stop? Will my number hit? Should I play even-money bets or try to pick a single number? For most people, roulette is the first game they try at the casino. Why not find out why? If you’ve never tried it, give it a spin. 

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