A simple, jargon-busting guide to playing one of the world’s favourite casino
games.
What is roulette? A quick introduction
If you’ve never ♣ stepped foot in a casino,
played at one of William Hill Vegas’s online roulette tables or seen a James Bond
♣ movie, then we’ll cover this quickly. Roulette is a game of a chance where a wheel with
numbered sections spins ♣ at high speed. A ball is then added and will eventually land
randomly on one of the numbered sections as ♣ the wheel comes to a stop. Players bet on
where the ball will land. It’s as simple as that.
Roulette is ♣ a casino staple. Whether
you’ve seen a couple of James Bond films or you’re an online casino regular, it’s
impossible ♣ to miss the giant wheel that can draw some of the biggest crowds on the
gaming floor. Unlike card games, ♣ there’s something that is a little bit more exciting
about the black and red (and green) wheel of fortune.
In this ♣ handy guide, we’ll cover
everything you need to know about roulette and explain how this exciting, unique and
sometimes intense ♣ game can be great fun. We’ll also include some handy tips to play
roulette the right way.
Playing online roulette is ♣ simple. But, before we dive into the
details of this game, let’s take a quick look at the order of ♣ play.
Decide on the
amount you would like to bet – you can often just click the layout to add chips ♣ from
your bankroll Select inside or outside bets of your choice Once all bets have been
placed, the wheel starts ♣ spinning and the ball is spun in the opposite direction. When
the ball comes to rest in one of the ♣ wheel’s pockets, the dealer will announce the
winning number and colour Any winnings are paid out and added to your ♣ William Hill
account
The objective of roulette
The objective of roulette, as we’ve mentioned, is to
guess which number or colour the ♣ ball will land on when it is spun around the wheel.
Betting takes place using casino chips, with a big ♣ board known as the layout containing
a table full of numbers, colours, odd or even, and other betting options. Just ♣ place
your chips on the sections on the board and wait to see where the ball lands!
You can
bet on:
An ♣ outright number (place your chip on the number)
Several numbers (by placing
your chip on the edge or corner of the ♣ number’s box)
Odd or even
Black or red
High
value or low value
Zero(es)
Groups of numbers (usually in thirds)
Roulette is a game of
chance ♣ so there is no guaranteed way to win. However, some players deploy their own
strategies and play styles. At the ♣ end of the day, the odds of roulette are always the
same, so you’re playing with luck, rather than skill ♣ or expertise, but a strategy or
two could certainly come in handy.
Roulette variants
Although originally developed in
French casinos, roulette has ♣ evolved in different places. There are three main roulette
variants; American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette.
What is American
Roulette?
This ♣ variant has a double-zero pocket alongside the regular single-zero
pocket, meaning the chance of the ball landing on zero doubles ♣ and effectively
increases the house edge. If you’re wondering how to play American Roulette with these
extra zeroes and still ♣ retain a good house edge, then remember there’s a special
‘surrender’ rule which we’ll cover later.
What is European Roulette?
European Roulette
♣ is the classic version of the game. It’s played with 37 pockets, featuring a single
zero but no double-zero. This ♣ version offers higher chances of winning than American
Roulette.
What is French Roulette?
The French version of roulette is very similar to
♣ European Roulette as It uses the same wheel and pockets. However, French Roulette has
two special rules that make it ♣ more favourable for players – En Prison and La Partage.
This reduces the house edge to just 1.35%! We’ll explain ♣ those soon.
Roulette
rules
Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, and it’s easy to see why. It’s
easy to ♣ learn and can be enjoyed by both experienced players and first-timers who want
a piece of the action. There are ♣ a few different variants of the game, each with its
own set of rules, but the fundamentals essentially remain the ♣ same across all variants.
And guess what? There are only really two main rules – but lots of quirks, etiquette
♣ and variables to watch out for.
Players start by placing their bets on the table
layout. The dealer is responsible for ♣ making sure bets are in the correct place, but
players will be asked to place their chips correctly, and not ♣ to overcrowd the
layout.
The dealer then spins the wheel in one direction and rolls a small ball in the
opposite ♣ direction, around a tilted circular track that runs around the outer edge of
the wheel. Here comes the first rule: ♣ no more bets if the dealer has announced ‘no more
bets!’ This stops players from placing their chips when the ♣ ball is about to come to a
stop, preventing any sort of cheating or additional advantages. The good part about
♣ playing online roulette is that you can forget about this rule, as the layout will lock
once ‘no more bets’ ♣ has been announced.
As the wheel slows, the ball drops into one of
the numbered sections, the dealer announces the winning ♣ number, and any winnings are
paid out accordingly.
A big thing to remember with roulette is the zero, or the zero
♣ and double zeroes on American Roulette tables. You can bet on the ball landing on these
numbers, but they are ♣ excluded from odd/even bets, and obviously won’t be included in
colour bets/grouped bets. This is what gives the casino the ♣ ‘house edge’, which we’ll
get to soon.
La Partage and En Prison
So, let’s get to the French Roulette additional
rules / ♣ features, La Partage and En Prison. These side bets are only an option in
French Roulette.
The dealer immediately divides all ♣ even-money bets in half, keeping
half for the house and giving the other half back to the player when the ♣ “La Partage”
rule is in place. Keep in mind that the European wheel only includes one zero. You
would be ♣ right if you assumed that this would dramatically lower the “house edge” in
roulette. It actually reduces the house edge ♣ by half, from 2.70% with the “La Partage”
rule to 1.35% without it. This means the ball landing on zero ♣ is slightly less painful
if you’ve spread your chips and you see a flash of green!
The “En Prison” bet only
♣ covers even-money bets, just like the “La Partage” bet. If a zero appears on the wheel,
the dealer will place ♣ a marker by the bet to indicate that it is “En Prison.” If you
succeed on the subsequent spin, you’ll ♣ receive a full refund of the initial
bet.
Roulette surrender
Similar to ‘La Partage’, American Roulette wheels have a rule
that softens ♣ the blow of a zero or double zero, known as a surrender. This reduces the
house edge by giving you ♣ part of your bet back if the ball lands on green, but you’ll
need to check the rule is in ♣ place before you begin – just check the online game rules
or, if you’re in a real casino, ask your ♣ dealer.
Roulette wheel and table
The classic
roulette wheel is composed of two main parts – the wheel itself and the table. ♣ The
wheel is a metal or wooden disc that spins and holds the numbered pockets. These
pockets are numbered 0 ♣ through 36, with an additional 00 pocket in some variants of
American Roulette. The wheel is set up so that ♣ the numbers are evenly distributed
around the wheel.
The roulette table is a large, flat surface where players place their
bets. ♣ The table is divided into sections, which usually consist of either one or two
sections for each type of bet. ♣ The inside section of the table is where players place
their inside bets, such as straight up numbers, splits, corners, ♣ lines and more – don’t
worry, we’ll cover all of this later!
Online roulette tables are exactly like their
real-world counterparts. ♣ You’ll be able to interact with the dealer and other players
using your smartphone or tablet, all in real time, ♣ from the comfort of your own
home!
The outside section of the table is where players place their outside bets such
♣ as red/black, odd/even, and high/low. There are also sometimes additional sections on
the table for more complex bets, such as ♣ special sixes, neighbours and others, but this
varies depending on both the casino and the type of roulette table.
Online roulette
♣ tables can get even more complex, with multiple wheels and other special features like
jackpot boxes, but usually you’ll always ♣ find a straight-up, easy-to-understand table
if you’re just starting out. Remember – you can always ask for help or advice ♣ on the
rules of the game.
Roulette house edge
The house edge in roulette is the percentage of
each bet that the ♣ casino is expected to win. All bets have a certain probability of
winning and a certain probability of losing, and ♣ when you combine all these
probabilities together, the house edge is the result.
The table below shows the
potential house edge ♣ on different tables depending on the size of your bet:
Variant
House Edge Expected loss / £100 over 100 spins French ♣ Roulette 1.35% £1.35 European
Roulette 2.70% £2.70 American Roulette 5.26% £5.26
Roulette odds and bets
Roulette has
a huge variety of odds ♣ and bet types that make it one of the most variable and exciting
casino games. Players can bet on anything ♣ from a single number to a huge selection of
numbers, whether the number will be odd or even, or even ♣ on a group of 12
numbers.
Roulette inside bets
Roulette inside bets refer to bets made on the inner
section of the ♣ roulette table. These are considered higher-risk bets as they have a
smaller chance of winning, but if you do win, ♣ you stand to receive a larger payout.
There are several types of roulette inside bets, which we will discuss in ♣ more detail
below:
Straight Up
This is the simplest type of inside bet, where you place your chips
on one number. If ♣ the ball lands on this number, you win 35 to 1 on your bet. It’s
probably not the most-popular bet ♣ on the table, but if you have a special or favourite
number, then try your luck and it might just ♣ come in!
Split Bet
This is a bet placed on
two numbers that are adjacent to each other. For example, if you ♣ place a chip on the
line between the 5 and 8, then you would win 17 to 1 if either ♣ of those numbers
appear.
Street Bet
This is a bet placed on three numbers that are in a row on the
table. ♣ For example, if you place a chip on the line between the 2, 3, and 5, then you
would win ♣ 11 to 1 if any of these three numbers come in.
Corner Bet
This is a bet
placed on four numbers that ♣ are in a square formation. For example, if you place a chip
on the line between the 4, 5, 7, ♣ and 8, then you would win 8 to 1 if any of these four
numbers come in.
Five Number Bet or ♣ Basket Bet
This is a bet placed on five numbers
that are in a particular pattern on the table. For example, ♣ if you place a chip on the
line between 0-00-1-2-3, then you would win 6 to 1 if any of ♣ these five numbers appear.
This bet is only available on American Roulette tables.
Line Bet
This is a bet placed
on six ♣ numbers that are in two rows of three. For example, if you place a chip on the
line between 1-2-3 ♣ and 4-5-6, then you would win 5 to 1 if any of these six numbers
come in on the wheel.
Outside ♣ bets
Outside bets in roulette are the most-popular
betting option. These bets have a much higher chance of winning, but of ♣ course, the
odds are much lower than inside bets. The types of outside bets include:
Even-money
bets
These are also known as ♣ ‘red or black’, ‘high or low’ or ‘odd or even’ bets. They
pay out at 1 to 1, and include ♣ red or black, odd or even and high or low (numbers 1-18
or 19-36).
Columns
This is where you bet on any ♣ of the 12 numbers in one column. This
bet pays out at 2 to 1.
Dozens
This is where you bet on ♣ any of the 12 numbers from
1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. This bet pays out at 2 to 1.
Snake bet
This is ♣ a bet placed on a
line of numbers to make your chips look little bit like a snake, paying out ♣ at 2 to
1.
How to choose your bet and tips to play roulette
When it comes to playing roulette,
your best ♣ bet is to choose a bet type that you are comfortable with and understand the
odds of.
It’s also important to ♣ know what type of game you’re playing, as each
variation of roulette has its own set of rules and house ♣ edge, which we’ve already
covered. Knowing which bets offer the highest chance of success is also key, so revisit
the ♣ bet types above before laying your chips.
Inside bets are bets that are placed on
the numbered portion of the table, ♣ where a single number or small group of numbers can
be chosen. These bets have a much higher house edge ♣ than outside bets, but the payouts
are usually much higher.
Outside bets are placed on the outside sections of the table,
♣ where groups of numbers are chosen instead of individual ones. These bets generally
have a lower house edge, but they ♣ also come with a lower payout. For example, betting
on red or black will only pay even money (1 to ♣ 1), while betting on a column pays 2 to
1.
You also need to think about the minimum and maximum bet ♣ limits at the table. Make
sure that you are comfortable betting within these limits before you begin to play.
It’s ♣ always best to start out with low stakes until you become more familiar with the
game and understand how to ♣ best manage your bankroll. Always remember to gamble
responsibly and check out our wide range of Safer Gambling tools.
By understanding ♣ the
different types of bets available and their associated odds, you can make an informed
decision about which type of ♣ bet is most suitable for you. Choosing the best bet for
your specific situation is essential to maximise your chances ♣ of winning, and more
importantly, having fun while you play!
When to stop betting
Roulette is a game of
chance, so it’s ♣ important to know your limits and realise that no outcome can be
predicted accurately. Unlike, for example, poker, your own ♣ abilities or skills have no
effect on the ball, wheel, dealer or other players!
One way to know when to stop
♣ betting is by setting yourself a budget. Before you even start playing, decide how much
money you’re willing to lose ♣ and set a limit for yourself. Once you hit that limit,
stop playing and walk away. It’s important not to ♣ try and win your money back and stick
to your budget.
It’s also a good idea to take regular breaks while ♣ playing roulette,
especially online. This helps to prevent you from getting too carried away and spending
more than you can ♣ afford. Taking regular breaks also helps you to stay focused on the
game and make more strategic decisions.
Finally, if you’ve ♣ won a few times and you’re
feeling lucky, it’s best to quit while you’re ahead. Don’t try and push your ♣ luck and
continue playing when the odds are against you. Cash out and play again next time.
If
you struggle to ♣ stop playing or find that playing roulette or any other casino game is
no longer fun, then reach out straight ♣ away to BeGambleAware or a preferred local form
of support.
Roulette table etiquette
When playing at a roulette table, or online, it’s
♣ important to observe proper etiquette. Roulette is a game of chance, and the casino
staff are there to ensure that ♣ the game runs smoothly. By observing the following
etiquette guidelines, you’ll ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time.
Remain
Calm
Don’t let ♣ your emotions get the better of you when playing at a roulette table.
While it may be tempting to get ♣ excited or frustrated if the wheel is not going your
way, keep your cool and be courteous to other players ♣ and the dealer.
Be
respectful
Show respect to other players and the dealers at all times. Do not use
profane language or ♣ make any type of physical contact with another person while at the
table.
Don’t mess with other players’ bets
Do not try ♣ to place chips on another
player’s bet after they have already placed their chips on the table.
Place your chips
carefully
When ♣ placing chips on the betting layout, be careful to avoid accidentally
pushing any chips off the layout or onto another ♣ player’s bet.
Wait for the dealer’s
signal
Once you have placed your bet, wait for the dealer to signal before you pick ♣ up
your chips or move them around on the betting layout.
Be polite
If you need to ask any
questions or make ♣ any comments during the game, do so politely. Don’t interrupt the
dealer while they are spinning the wheel or speaking ♣ to other players.
Play roulette
with William Hill
If you fancy giving roulette a try, then William Hill Vegas the best
place ♣ to learn the ropes and have some fun! With low-limit tables, as well as huge
jackpots, you can get stuck ♣ into roulette and enjoy the casino experience, all from
your phone, tablet or computer.
If you haven’t already signed up, check ♣ out our welcome
bonuses and you can even chat with other players as you make your bets, with real-time
live ♣ dealers.
FAQs
What is the difference between the arrangement of numbers on the
wheel and the betting layout?
The numbers in the layout ♣ are done in numerical order,
whereas the wheel is interchanging with numbers, not in numerical order. Once you have
the ♣ hang of it, roulette is a straightforward and enjoyable game for anyone to
play.
How to learn to play roulette?
The easiest ♣ way to learn to play as a beginner is
to internalise the basic rules of the game, as laid out ♣ in this blog. Furthermore, more
advanced players, can learn different strategies and find one which suits them, or
mathematically works ♣ out best when they try them out.
