There is something inexplicably fascinating about a game of roulette. Whether it is the mesmerizing circular motion of the wheel, the metallic sound of the bouncing ball, or just the overall unpredictability of the game, it has been drawing in players for almost four hundred years since its invention.
One big question that has been troubling gamblers and scammers, mathematicians and physicists alike is whether it is possible to predict the outcome of a roulette game. If anyone were to come up with a solution on how to calculate with a high degree of accuracy where the ball lands, this would immediately increase their chances of winning.
And though numerous attempts have been made and people have come up with multiple strategies to improve their roulette chances, it has been proved time and time again that there is no legal way to predict where the ball will fall. Unless you’re using some sort of technology to calculate the ball’s trajectory or affect its movements externally, you can’t predict the outcome.
Many scientists have talked about the subject. One famous quote that is often ascribed to Albert Einstein goes: “No one can win at roulette unless he steals money from the table while the croupier isn’t looking.” Decades later Stephen Hawking wrote: “It is practically impossible to predict the number that will come up. Otherwise physicists would make a fortune at casinos.”
While you may not be able to win with a 100% accuracy every single time, there are still some strategies and tips that help you improve your roulette chances. But for you to apply them successfully, it is crucial to learn the basics of roulette.
How to Play Roulette: Learn the Basics
Roulette is considered one of the easiest games to play, mainly due to its simple and straightforward rules. As long as you know the types of bets and how to place them on the table, you can play this casino game alongside seasoned gamblers.
Originating in 18th century France, the game whose name translates from French as “little wheel” has been played in its modern form from as early as 1796. As the name suggests, the central piece of the game is the roulette wheel. Players make money bets by placing chips on single numbers or grouping of numbers. The winning number is determined by the ball in the wheel.
As many know, the game has two versions, European and American. The European wheel has 37 numbers, one of them being 0. The American roulette wheel has 38 numbers, as besides 0 it also has a 00 slot. This is an important distinction, as both 0 and 00 account for the house edge.
The house edge is a term that defines the advantage the gambling game (and correspondingly, any commercial gambling venue) has over the player. Simply put, house edge makes sure that no gambler can win from the house in the long run. Since the American wheel has a twin zero slot, it gives you an even smaller chance of winning at roulette than the European wheel.
Types of Bets
Learning types of bets will help you better plan your game based on your bankroll and how long you want to last.
Inside Bets
- Straight/single: You’re betting on a single number on the table. The chip is placed within the number’s field.
- Split: You’re betting on two adjacent numbers, either horizontally or vertically. The chip is placed on the edge between these two numbers.
- Street: You’re betting on three consecutive numbers in a horizontal line. The chip is placed on the outer edge of the line on either side.
- Corner/square: You’re betting on four numbers that meet at one corner. The chip is placed on the common corner.
- Six line/double street: You’re betting on six consecutive numbers, or two adjacent lines on the table. The chip is placed on the outer common corner of either two rightmost or two leftmost numbers.
- Trio/basket: You’re betting on three numbers, with at least one of them being zero. Depending on whether you play the European or the American roulette, different combinations are possible. The chip is placed on the shared corner.
- First four: You’re betting on 0-1-2-3, this bet is only available in the European version. The chip is placed on the outer corner between 0 and 1 or 0 and 3.
- Top line: You’re betting on 0-00-1-2-3, this bet is only available in the American version. The chip is placed on the outer corner between 0 and 1 or 00 and 3.
Outside Bets
Outside bets usually have lower payouts but higher odds. Here the bets are as follows:
- Range: 1 to 18, or low/manque, and 19 to 36, or high/passe.
- Red or black: choose the colour of the winning number.
- Even or odd: choose the type of the winning number.
- Dozen: the winning number will be in the first (P12, 1-12), second (M12, 13-24), or third (D12, 25-36) dozen.
- Column bet: the winning will be in the chosen vertical column of 12 numbers. The chip is placed below the final number in the column.
- Snake bet: not available in all casinos, this bet covers numbers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34. If you look at the table, it follows a special sequence that forms a zigzag on the table. The payout is the same as for the dozen bet. The chip is placed on the lower corner of the 34 square.
How To Calculate Odds & Payouts
Knowing how to calculate odds and payouts for every bet helps you manage your bankroll and decide where to place your chips. Due to the difference in numbers on the roulette wheel, with American roulette having an additional slot, the odds for the European and American versions of the game aren’t the same.
| Bet | Payout | European Odds | American Odds |
| Straight | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split | 17:1 | 5.40% | 5.26% |
| Street | 11:1 | 8.10% | 7.89% |
| Corner | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.52% |
| Basket | 6:1 | 13.51% | 13.15% |
| Six Line | 5:1 | 16.21% | 15.79% |
| 12 numbers (Column/Dozen) | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| 18 numbers (any of red/black, odd/even, high/low) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
How to Choose A Better Strategy
No matter how you try to sugarcoat it, there is no way around the truth. Roulette odds can’t be improved. Whether you play in a casino or on one of the online betting systems, the rule remains the same: the house always wins in the long run.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun playing, just don’t expect to win the majority of the placed bets. At the same time, knowing the odds and payouts will help you better navigate the process. For one, the European roulette is more gentle towards the players, so if you want your bankroll to last longer, choose it instead of the American wheel. Inside bets have larger payouts but lower chances of winning, while with the outside bets the opposite is true.