Roulette 101: How to Get Started and Enjoy the Game

Roulette is one of the most popular games in casinos. The spinning wheel, the bouncing balls, and even the anticipation are all part of what makes Roulette exciting to watch and even exciting to play. At first, it might be a little confusing when you first look at the table with the numbers, colors, and betting options. However, once you get the hang of the basics, roulette is very simple to play and enjoy.

How To Play Roulette As A Beginner

Learning to play roulette is easier than most players think. Whether they’re trying classic roulette or looking to spin Bitcoin roulette rounds, the core rules remain the same. The main difference with Bitcoin roulette is that players use cryptocurrency for bets and winnings, which is faster and more private.

Understand The Wheel And Table

The roulette wheel is the first thing you should get familiar with. It has numbered pockets starting at 1 until 36, with alternative red and black colors. You will also see at least one green pocket marked 0 and sometimes an additional 00, this depends on the version you’re playing. It should be noted that the numbers are not placed in order around the wheel; instead, they are arranged in a sequence that balances high, low, red, and black numbers to keep the game unpredictable.

On the table layout, each number is arranged in neat rows and columns. It’s easy to bet on single numbers, groups of numbers, rows, or whole sections with this layout. You can make simple bets like “red/black,” “odd/even,” and “high/low” on the edges of the table. It’s easier to follow the game once you know how the wheel and table work.

Choose Your Variant

Roulette has three common versions: the European, French, and American. European roulette is the most popular version. With only one zero, it has a house edge of about 2.7%. French roulette is similar to the European version but includes special rules like La Partage or En Prison. This one can return part of your bet if the ball lands on zero. It is the most player-friendly option. 

American roulette has both a 0 and 00. This gives the casino a higher edge of around 5.26%. It is the least favorable for players. Even small differences in odds matter over time, just like credit card fees. In the U.S., businesses pay around 1.5% to 4% per credit card transaction. A tiny difference may not seem like much on one payment, but it can add up to thousands of dollars over many transactions. Similarly, that extra house edge in American Roulette may seem small on one spin, but over many spins it can make a big difference to your winnings.

If you would like to play for a start, go for European or French roulette. 

Buy Chips And Make Bets

The next thing you do before you start to play roulette is to buy chips. Blackjack and poker chips are not the same as roulette chips. In roulette, each player’s chips are a different color so that the dealer and the other players can tell which chips belong to which player. You tell the dealer how much each chip is worth when you buy in. For example, you could decide each chip equals $1, $5, or even $25; it depends on your budget. But keep it small for now.

Once you have your chips, place them directly on the betting layout. You can bet on one single number, a row, a section, or even an outside option like red or black. The dealer gives players time to place their bets before starting the spin.

Know Inside Bets Versus Outside Bets

Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid. For example, you can have a straight bet (one number), a split (two numbers side by side), a street (three numbers in a row), a corner (four numbers), or a line (six numbers). Inside bets pay more because they are harder to win. For example, a straight bet pays 35 to 1.

There are different types of bets, like red or black, odd or even, high or low, and rows and dozens. While outside bets don’t pay as much as inside bets (often 1:1 or 2:1), the odds are much better. This is a good place for beginners to start because it is usually safer and less stressful. The difference between inside and outside bets is why roulette is exciting. You can play risky bets with safe bets in the same round.

The Spin

Each player places a bet, and then the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and rolls the ball in the other direction. The ball bounces between the numbered slots and stops on one of them. The dealer calls out the winning number and then puts a marker on it when the ball stops. The losing bets are then taken off the table, and the winners are given their payouts. After this, the players can place new bets for the next round.

Learn The Payouts

There are different types of payouts; you need to be familiar with the most common ones.

Straight up (1 number): 35 to 1

• Split (2 numbers): 17 to 1

• Street (3 numbers): 11 to 1

• Corner (4 numbers): 8 to 1

• Six-line (6 numbers): 5 to 1

• Dozen or column (12 numbers): 2 to 1

• Red/black, odd/even, high/low: 1 to 1

When you place specific bets, you get a higher payout; however, this will lower your chances of winning. When you understand this, you can choose the type of bets that suit your style.

Wait For “No More Bets”

The players have a short time to make bets and change them before the dealer starts to spin. When the dealer says “no more bets” at the end of the betting period, it means no one can make or change bets during the game. That way, the casino can be sure that the game is fair and no one feels like they were cheated.

Conclusion

Roulette is easy to learn, even if you’ve never played before. It is why the game is so popular and growing. The global online market for it is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2033 because of its simplicity and recent advancements. So the first thing you should do is learn what the game is about, how to bet, and the rules. The good thing is that you will become a pro if you keep practicing.