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How to play Roulette

Here you can learn how to play Roulette and understand its rules.

Roulette is a game of simple chance. There are two types of roulette wheel – European-style and American-style. The European roulette wheel has 37 compartments (numbers 1-36 and 0), whereas the American roulette wheel has 38 compartments (1-36, 0 and 00).

Learning to play roulette on the European-style roulette wheel is a better bet for players as it has a lower house edge (2.70%) than the American-style roulette wheel (5.26%).

Players bet on where the ball will end up. You can bet on individual numbers, combinations of numbers, or simply on red or black. If the ball lands on 0, the house wins all bets staked. You can learn some of the different types of bets in roulette from the list below:

Straight up

Place a bet on a single number between 1 and 36; if your number comes up you are paid 35 times your stake.

Split

Place your chips on the line between two numbers. Either number pays out at 17-1 at the cashier’s desk.

Street corner/six line

Place a bet at the junction of three numbers (a street), which pays out at 11-1. Corners is the junction of 4 numbers, which pays out at 8-1. On the six line, you are betting on six numbers, pays out at 5-1.

Neighbours

A group of numbers clustered together on the wheel, for example, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15. If you want to make this bet, place five chips down and ask the dealer for ‘zero and the neighbours’.

Even chances

This can be red or black, odd or even, high or low (19-36 or 1-18) all pay out equal money to that staked. If 0 comes up on even chance bets, then you lose only half your stake.

Dozens or columns

This pays out at 2-1. You can choose any of the three dozens (1-12; 13-24; or 25-36), but a 0 will see you lose your stake.

Now you understand the rules for playing roulette you are ready to begin. However, to learn how to play roulette like a professional, visit our Roulette Hints and Tips page.

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