Roulette
Roulette is a game of pure chance with a fixed house edge. While no betting system can overcome the mathematical edge, understanding the odds and using proper bankroll management can extend your playing time and minimize losses.
Play Roulette FreeHow to Play Roulette
Roulette is one of the simplest casino games to learn. A small ball is spun around a numbered wheel, and you bet on where it will land. The European wheel has 37 pockets (numbers 0-36), while the American wheel has 38 (adding a 00 pocket). The extra pocket on the American wheel nearly doubles the house edge, so always choose European roulette when available.
Bets fall into two categories: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers and offer higher payouts but lower odds. A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35:1. A split bet (two adjacent numbers) pays 17:1. A street (three numbers in a row) pays 11:1. A corner (four numbers) pays 8:1.
Outside bets cover larger groups and offer nearly 50/50 odds with lower payouts. Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low (1-18 or 19-36) all pay 1:1. Dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) and Columns each pay 2:1. Outside bets are more consistent but the zero(s) ensure the house always has an edge.
To play, place your chips on the betting layout before the dealer calls 'no more bets.' The ball spins, lands in a pocket, and all matching bets are paid. Roulette is entirely random. Each spin is independent, and no pattern or system can predict or influence where the ball lands.
Quick Rules
- Bet on where the ball will land on the numbered wheel
- European wheel: 0-36 (2.7% house edge), always prefer this
- American wheel: 0-00-36 (5.26% house edge), avoid if possible
- Inside bets: specific numbers, higher payouts (up to 35:1)
- Outside bets: groups like red/black, nearly 50/50 odds (1:1 payout)
- Each spin is completely independent and no patterns exist
Beginner Tips
#1Always play European roulette over American. The single zero cuts the house edge nearly in half (2.7% vs 5.26%)
#2Look for tables with the La Partage or En Prison rule. They reduce the edge on even-money bets to 1.35%
#3Outside bets (red/black, odd/even) give you the longest playing time for your bankroll
#4No betting system can overcome the house edge. Martingale, Fibonacci, and others just change the distribution of wins and losses
#5Set a loss limit and a win target before you start playing, and walk away when you hit either
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Roulette Strategies. Ranked by Score
European vs American Wheel
The single most impactful roulette 'strategy': always play European roulette. It literally cuts the house edge in half.
D'Alembert System
A gentler progression system: increase your bet by one unit after a loss, decrease by one after a win. Lower variance than Martingale.
James Bond Strategy
A fixed roulette betting pattern covering 25 of 37 numbers on every spin. Popularized by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond 007.
Fibonacci System
Bet following the Fibonacci sequence after losses. Less aggressive than Martingale but with similar limitations.
Martingale System
The most famous betting system: double your bet after every loss. Simple to learn but mathematically flawed due to table limits and finite bankrolls.
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Key Terms to Know
A roulette variant with 37 numbers (0-36) and a house edge of 2.7%. Has a single zero pocket, unlike American roulette which has two. Always choose European over American roulette for better odds.
American RouletteA roulette variant with 38 numbers (0, 00, 1-36) and a house edge of 5.26%. The extra double-zero pocket nearly doubles the house edge compared to European roulette. Mathematically inferior for the player.
Martingale SystemA betting system where you double your bet after every loss. Mathematically proven to not overcome the house edge. Produces frequent small wins but occasional catastrophic losses. Table limits prevent infinite doubling.
Fibonacci SystemA betting system based on the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13...). After a loss, move to the next number; after a win, move back two numbers. Less aggressive than Martingale but equally unable to beat the house edge.
D'Alembert SystemA betting system where you increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease by one unit after a win. More conservative than Martingale, but like all negative expectation systems, it cannot overcome the house edge long-term.
House EdgeThe mathematical advantage the casino has over the player, expressed as a percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep over the long run. For example, a 2% house edge means the casino expects to keep $2 for every $100 wagered. Different games and bets within games have different house edges.
Roulette FAQ
What is the house edge in Roulette?
The house edge in Roulette ranges from 2.7% - 5.26%, depending on the specific bet and strategy used.
What is the best Roulette strategy?
The highest-rated strategy is European vs American Wheel with a score of 8.5/10.
How many Roulette strategies are there?
CasinoEdges analyzes 5 different Roulette strategies.