The goal of the game
A roulette wheel has numbered pockets. A dealer spins the wheel one way and rolls a ball the other way. When the ball slows down it drops into one pocket, and that number wins. Before the spin you place chips on the table to predict the result: a single number, a group of numbers, a colour, odd or even, and so on. Smaller groups are harder to hit, so they pay more.
The wheel
A European wheel has 37 pockets: the numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green zero. An American wheel has 38: it adds a second green pocket, double zero (00). The numbers 1 to 36 alternate between red and black around the wheel. The zeros are neither red nor black, neither odd nor even, and neither low nor high, so every outside bet loses when the ball lands on zero. That is where the casino's advantage comes from.
You can switch between the two wheels in the game's settings (the wrench button). Our game starts on the European wheel because it is better for the player: its house edge is 2.70% against 5.26% on the American wheel.
The table
The betting table shows the numbers 1 to 36 in three rows of twelve, with the zero (or zeros) at one end. Around the numbers are boxes for the bigger bets: the three dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36), the three columns (marked 1st, 2nd and 3rd), and the even-money bets (1-18, even, red, black, odd, 19-36).
- Inside bets go on the numbers themselves, or on the lines between them.
- Outside bets go in the boxes around the numbers.
How a round works
- Choose a chip. Pick a value from the chips at the bottom left: $1, $10, $100, $500. You start with $2,500 in play money.
- Place your bets. Click or tap the table where you want the chip. Click a number for a single number, the line between two numbers for a split, a corner where four numbers meet, and so on. The numbers your chip covers light up so you can see the bet before you place it. Click the same spot again to add more.
- Fix mistakes. Undo takes back your last chip; Clear takes back all of them.
- Spin. Press the wheel button. The ball circles, bounces and drops into a pocket.
- Collect. Winning bets are paid automatically and losing chips are taken. The winning number is marked on the table and added to the history strip on the right.
Turn on Auto Bet in settings to place the same bets again after every spin. If you run out of chips, press Refill chips to start again at $2,500. It's all play money.
Bets and payouts
A payout of "35 to 1" means a winning $1 bet wins $35, and you also keep your $1. Here is every bet on the European table:
| Bet | Where the chip goes | Numbers | Pays | Chance to win | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | One number, chip in the middle of it | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.7% (1 in 37) | 2.70% |
| Split | Two numbers side by side, chip on the line between them | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.4% (1 in 18.5) | 2.70% |
| Street | A row of three numbers, chip on the edge of the row | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.1% (1 in 12.33) | 2.70% |
| Trio | Zero with two numbers next to it, chip where they meet | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.1% (1 in 12.33) | 2.70% |
| Corner | Four numbers in a square, chip on the corner they share | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.8% (1 in 9.25) | 2.70% |
| First four (0, 1, 2, 3) | European wheel only: chip on the corner of 0 and 1 | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.8% (1 in 9.25) | 2.70% |
| Six line | Two rows of three, chip on the edge where the rows meet | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.2% (1 in 6.17) | 2.70% |
| Dozen | 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36 | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% (1 in 3.08) | 2.70% |
| Column | A line of 12 numbers, chip in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd box at its end | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% (1 in 3.08) | 2.70% |
| Red or black | The red or black diamond | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% (1 in 2.06) | 2.70% |
| Odd or even | The ODD or EVEN box | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% (1 in 2.06) | 2.70% |
| Low or high | 1-18 or 19-36 | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% (1 in 2.06) | 2.70% |
Notice that the last column is the same for every bet. However you spread your chips, the wheel keeps the same share in the long run. Read more in Roulette Odds and House Edge, or see each bet in detail in Roulette Bets Explained.
Tips for beginners
- Start with outside bets. Red or black, odd or even and the dozens win often, so you can learn the flow of the game without losing chips quickly.
- Mix in a few inside bets once you know the table. A straight-up number hits rarely but pays 35 to 1.
- Pick the European wheel when you have the choice: one zero instead of two.
- No system beats the wheel. Every spin is independent; past results don't change the next one. See our honest guide to betting systems.
Roulette For Free uses play money only. You can't buy chips, win prizes or cash out. If you or someone you know gambles for real money and it stops being fun, see Responsible Play for free, confidential help.