Roulette is one of the simplest casino games to learn and one of the easiest to misunderstand. You bet on where a small ball will come to rest on a spinning numbered wheel, the dealer spins, and a few seconds later you either win or lose. This guide explains how a spin works, what every bet on the table means, how the payouts and odds compare, and why no past result ever changes what happens next. It is written for beginners and forms the roulette hub of our wider casino games guide for Canada. Nothing here is a betting system or a way to beat the game — roulette is designed so the house wins over time, and the honest goal is simply to understand what you are wagering on.
Key Points
- Goal: bet on where a ball lands on a numbered spinning wheel; the dealer spins and pays the winners.
- Two bet families: inside bets (single numbers or small clusters, bigger payouts) and outside bets (large groups like red/black, smaller payouts).
- Wheel matters most: European and French wheels have one green zero (37 pockets); American wheels add a double zero (38 pockets) and worse odds.
- House edge: 2.70% European, 5.26% American, and about 1.35% on French even-money bets under the La Partage rule.
- Every spin is independent: past results never make any number or colour “due”.
- No systems: no betting pattern changes the house edge — play with a set budget for entertainment only.
What is roulette and how does a spin work?
Roulette is a game of pure chance built around a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets and a betting table that mirrors those numbers. The aim is to predict which numbered pocket the ball will settle in — or, more loosely, to bet on a group the winning number belongs to, such as all the red numbers or all the odd numbers.
A single round plays out in a fixed sequence. First, players place chips on the table layout to mark their bets. The dealer (called the croupier) then spins the wheel in one direction and releases a small ball in the opposite direction around the rim. As the wheel slows, the ball drops from the rim and bounces across the pockets before coming to rest in one of them. The dealer announces the winning number, places a marker on it, clears all losing chips, and pays the winners. On most online and electronic roulette, a random number generator decides the result instead of a physical ball, but the rules and payouts are identical.
Crucially, where the ball lands is random each time. The wheel has no memory, so a number that just came up is exactly as likely — no more, no less — to come up again on the very next spin.
The roulette wheel and table layout
The wheel is the heart of the game, and the number of pockets on it decides your odds. There are three main versions, and the difference between them is the single most important thing a new player can learn.
European roulette (single zero)
A European wheel has 37 pockets: the numbers 1 to 36, coloured alternately red and black, plus a single green zero (0). Because there is only one green pocket, the European wheel gives the player better odds than the American version and is the standard most Canadians will see in reputable online casinos. If you have a choice, this is usually the version to play.
American roulette (double zero)
An American wheel has 38 pockets: 1 to 36 plus two green pockets, a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). That one extra green pocket does not change any payout, but it almost doubles the long-run cost to the player. American wheels also offer a unique “five-number” bet on 0-00-1-2-3, which carries the worst odds on the table and is best avoided.
French roulette
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as the European game but adds two player-friendly rules on even-money bets. Under La Partage, if the ball lands on zero you lose only half of an even-money bet rather than all of it. Under En Prison, that bet is instead “imprisoned” for one more spin and returned in full if it wins. Either rule cuts the house edge on even-money bets to about 1.35%, the best deal in roulette.
The table layout
The betting table is a grid of the numbers 1 to 36 in three columns, with the zero (and double zero on American tables) at the top. Bets placed on or between the numbers inside this grid are called inside bets. Bets placed in the boxes around the grid — red/black, odd/even, columns and dozens — are called outside bets. Understanding these two families is all you need to read any roulette table.
What are inside bets in roulette?
Inside bets are wagers on a single number or a small cluster of numbers within the main grid. They are harder to win but pay far more when they do. The chips are placed directly on numbers or on the lines between them, and the exact position decides the bet.
- Straight up — one number; pays 35:1. The chip sits squarely on a single number.
- Split — two adjacent numbers; pays 17:1. The chip sits on the line shared by the two numbers.
- Street — three numbers in a row; pays 11:1. The chip sits on the outer edge of the row.
- Corner (square) — four numbers meeting at a point; pays 8:1. The chip sits on the shared corner.
- Six line (double street) — six numbers across two rows; pays 5:1. The chip sits on the outer edge where two rows meet.
The fewer numbers you cover, the bigger the payout and the longer you will typically wait for a win.
What are outside bets in roulette?
Outside bets cover large groups of numbers, so they win far more often but pay much less. They are where most beginners start because they keep a round in play longer and are easy to understand.
- Red or Black — all 18 red or all 18 black numbers; pays 1:1 (even money).
- Odd or Even — the 18 odd or 18 even numbers; pays 1:1.
- Low or High — numbers 1–18 or 19–36; pays 1:1.
- Dozen — 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36; pays 2:1.
- Column — one of the three vertical columns of twelve numbers; pays 2:1.
Note that zero (and double zero) belong to none of the outside groups. If the ball lands on green, every straight even-money and group bet loses — which is exactly how the house gets its edge.
Roulette Bets at a Glance
| Bet | Type | Numbers covered | Payout | Win chance (European wheel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | Inside | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | Inside | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | Inside | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner | Inside | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six line | Inside | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% |
| Dozen | Outside | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Column | Outside | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Red / Black | Outside | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Odd / Even | Outside | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Low / High | Outside | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% |
Roulette odds, payouts and the house edge
Every roulette bet is a trade-off: a bigger payout always comes with a smaller chance of winning, and the maths is balanced so the casino keeps a slice regardless of which bet you choose. The reason is the green zero. Payouts are calculated as if the wheel had only 36 numbers, but the wheel actually has 37 (or 38), so the odds are always tilted slightly against you.
On a European wheel the house edge is 2.70% on every standard bet — whether you back a single number or an even-money group. On an American wheel the second green pocket raises that edge to 5.26% on almost every bet, and to a punishing 7.89% on the five-number bet. French roulette’s La Partage and En Prison rules lower the even-money edge to roughly 1.35%. In plain terms, the house edge is the average amount the casino expects to keep from each wager over the long run; you can read the full explanation of this in our guide to how casino games work.
| Wheel version | Pockets | House edge (most bets) | Even-money edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (single zero) | 37 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| American (double zero) | 38 | 5.26% (7.89% five-number) | 5.26% |
| French (La Partage / En Prison) | 37 | 2.70% | 1.35% |
The key takeaway: the payout for landing a single number is the same (35:1) on every wheel, so playing a single-zero European or French table rather than an American one is the simplest way to keep more of your money in play.
Why is every roulette spin independent?
Every spin of a roulette wheel is a self-contained event, and nothing that happened before changes the odds of what happens next. If red has landed ten times in a row, black is not “due” — the chance of red on the next spin is still 18 in 37 on a European wheel, exactly as it was on the first spin.
The mistaken belief that past results make a future result more or less likely is called the gambler’s fallacy. It feels convincing because short runs of spins naturally produce streaks and clusters that look meaningful, but those patterns are just normal randomness, not a signal. The same is true of so-called “hot” and “cold” numbers: a board showing recent results tells you the past, never the future. On both physical wheels and the random number generators used online, each outcome is mathematically independent of the last.
This is why no record-keeping, pattern-spotting or progressive staking plan can change the house edge. Those methods only change how quickly you win or lose, not the underlying odds.
How to play roulette step by step
Playing a single round is straightforward once you know the sequence. Here is how a typical game unfolds, in or out of a casino.
- Buy chips. At a live table you exchange cash for coloured chips unique to you; online, you set a chip value on screen.
- Choose your bet. Decide whether you want an outside bet (frequent small wins) or an inside bet (rare larger wins), and place your chips on the layout accordingly.
- Wait for “no more bets”. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball; at a certain point betting closes and no chips can be moved.
- See the result. The ball settles, the dealer marks the winning number and clears all losing chips from the table.
- Collect and repeat. Winning bets are paid at the posted odds. You can take your chips, let them ride, or place new bets for the next spin.
Set a budget before you sit down and treat it as the cost of entertainment, not an investment you expect to grow.
Common mistakes beginners make
Most early roulette mistakes come from misreading the odds rather than misreading the rules. Avoiding these few traps will keep your play clearer and your money in the game longer.
- Playing American wheels by default. The double zero nearly doubles the house edge for no extra benefit. Choose single-zero European or French tables when you can.
- Believing in “due” numbers. Chasing a colour or number because it “hasn’t hit” is the gambler’s fallacy; the odds reset every spin.
- Trusting betting systems. Doubling after a loss or following a sequence feels structured but cannot overcome the house edge, and it can lose large amounts quickly during a losing run.
- Overlooking the La Partage rule. On French tables the half-back rule on even-money bets is a genuine, built-in advantage many players ignore.
- Chasing losses. Raising stakes to win back what you have lost is the fastest way to turn a small loss into a large one.
European vs American vs French: which should you play?
If the odds are your only concern, the ranking is clear: French roulette is best, European is a close second, and American is last. French roulette gives you the single-zero wheel plus the La Partage or En Prison rule, making even-money bets the cheapest wager in the game at about 1.35%. European roulette shares the same 37-pocket wheel and a flat 2.70% edge on every bet, and it is the most widely available single-zero game online in Canada. American roulette, with its extra green pocket and 5.26% edge, is the version to skip whenever a single-zero table is available. The game play, payouts and bet types are otherwise identical across all three, so there is no trade-off in fun — only in cost.
Who is roulette for?
Roulette suits players who want a relaxed, social, easy-to-learn game and understand that the result is entirely down to chance. There is nothing to memorise, no strategy to master and no decisions to make once the ball is spinning, which makes it a comfortable starting point for newcomers. Outside bets in particular offer long stretches of frequent small wins, while inside bets appeal to players chasing a rare large payout. It is a poor fit for anyone looking to grind out a profit or apply skill, because no amount of knowledge changes the house edge. Treated as entertainment with a set budget, roulette is one of the clearest and most honest games on the casino floor.
Responsible gambling
Roulette is a game of chance with a built-in house edge, which means the casino is mathematically favoured to win over time and no bet, pattern or system changes that. This page is educational and is not betting advice. In Canada the legal gambling age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Set a time and money limit before you play, never gamble to recover losses, and use the deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion tools your provincial operator provides. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, free, confidential help is available — in Ontario you can reach ConnexOntario any time at 1-866-531-2600. For tools, limits and support across Canada, see our guide to responsible gambling in Canada.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is roulette a game of skill or luck?
Roulette is a game of pure luck. Once bets are placed, the outcome depends entirely on where the ball lands, and no decision or skill can influence it. Knowing the bets and odds helps you choose wisely, but it cannot change the result of a spin.
Which roulette game has the best odds for the player?
French roulette has the best odds, because its single-zero wheel combines with the La Partage or En Prison rule to cut the house edge on even-money bets to about 1.35%. European roulette is next at a flat 2.70%, and American roulette is worst at 5.26% because of its extra double-zero pocket.
What is the safest bet in roulette?
Even-money outside bets — red or black, odd or even, high or low — win most often, close to a 48.65% chance on a European wheel, so they are the lowest-variance way to play. They still lose when the ball lands on zero, and they pay the least, so “safe” means steadier, not profitable.
Can a betting system beat roulette?
No. Betting systems such as doubling after a loss change the pattern of your wins and losses but not the house edge, because every spin is independent. Over time the maths of the wheel always favours the casino, and a long losing run can wipe out a bankroll fast.
What do the colours and the zero mean on a roulette wheel?
The numbers 1 to 36 are split evenly into 18 red and 18 black pockets, which is what makes red/black and odd/even near even-money bets. The green zero (and the green double zero on American wheels) belongs to no colour or group, and it is the pocket that gives the house its edge.