This is an educational guide to how casino games work. House edge and payout figures are typical values and vary by game, rules and operator. No casino game can be beaten in the long run — play for entertainment, never as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose.
What Is Roulette?
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games — a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and a huge range of bets. Here’s how it works.
How it works
You bet on where the ball will land on a numbered wheel. The wheel has numbers 1–36 (red or black) plus a green zero. You can bet on a single number, groups of numbers, a colour, or odd/even — placing chips on the betting layout before the wheel spins.
Inside and outside bets
Inside bets (single numbers or small groups) offer big payouts but long odds — a straight-up bet on one number pays 35:1. Outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) win far more often but pay just 1:1.
The odds
The version matters: European roulette (single zero) has a 2.70% house edge, while American roulette (with an extra double zero) is worse at 5.26%. Always choose European where you can. See European vs American roulette, what French roulette is and casino games with the best odds.
Frequently asked questions
How does roulette work?
You bet on where a ball will land on a numbered wheel — on a single number, groups, colours or odds/evens.
What’s the biggest payout?
A straight-up bet on one number pays 35:1.
Which version has the best odds?
European (single zero), with a 2.70% house edge, beats American (double zero) at 5.26%.
Related guides: European vs American roulette, what French roulette is and casino games with the best odds.