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Roulette rules how to play

The game is a mix of patience, observation, and strategy. Practice with friends or try online roulette wheels to get familiar with the flow before entering a real game. Enjoy the excitement!

1. Understand the Roulette Table and Wheel

• The Wheel: A roulette wheel has numbered pockets ranging from 1 to 36, alternating in red and black, plus a green “0” (and in American Roulette, an additional green “00”).
• The Table: The betting table shows all the numbers and various betting options.

2. Types of Roulette

• European Roulette: Single “0” with a total of 37 pockets. This is generally better for players due to a lower house edge.
• American Roulette: Has both a “0” and a “00,” with 38 pockets total, which increases the house edge slightly.

3. Placing Bets

• You can place bets on the table by putting chips on specific spots. There are two main types of bets:
  • Inside Bets: Bets on specific numbers or small groups of numbers.
  • Outside Bets: Bets on larger groups like colours or odd/even numbers.

4. Playing the Game

• Place Your Bets: Before the wheel spins, place chips on the betting table based on your chosen bets.
• Wait for the Spin: Once bets are placed, the dealer (or software in an online game) spins the wheel and rolls the ball.
• Winning and Payouts: When the ball lands in a pocket, all bets corresponding to that number, color, or section win. The dealer will then pay out winners.

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Types of Bets

Inside Bets

• Straight-Up Bet: Bet on a single number (pays 35:1).
• Split Bet: Bet on two adjacent numbers (pays 17:1).
• Street Bet: Bet on three numbers in a row (pays 11:1).
• Corner Bet: Bet on a block of four numbers (pays 8:1).
• Line Bet: Bet on two rows of three numbers each (pays 5:1).

Outside Bets

• Red or Black: Bet on the color (pays 1:1).
• Odd or Even: Bet on odd or even numbers (pays 1:1).
• Low or High: Bet on numbers 1-18 or 19-36 (pays 1:1).
• Dozens: Bet on a group of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36) (pays 2:1).
• Columns: Bet on one of the three columns (pays 2:1).

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Betting Strategies

1. Martingale Strategy

• Double your bet after each loss until you win, then reset to the original bet. Works well on even-money bets but requires a large bankroll.

2. Fibonacci Sequence:

• Bet following the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5…), increasing after losses and returning two steps back after wins.

3. D’Alembert System:

• Increase bet by one unit after a loss and decrease by one after a win; aims to minimize loss without large swings.

4. Labouchère System (Cancellation System)

• How It Works: Set a target win amount and divide it into smaller numbers (e.g., if you want to win £10, you could split it into 1, 2, 3, 4). Each bet is the sum of the first and last numbers in your sequence.
• After a Win: Cross out the numbers you used (both the first and last).
• After a Loss: Add the amount you just bet to the end of the sequence.
• Goal: To cancel out all numbers in your sequence by winning consistently.
• Pros: Flexible as you set your win target. Keeps betting amounts manageable.
• Cons: Losing streaks can cause the sequence to grow, requiring bigger bets to recover.

2. James Bond Strategy

• How It Works: This strategy requires a larger initial bankroll (typically £200+). Place three bets each round:
  • £140 on high numbers (19–36).
  • £50 on the numbers 13–18.
  • £10 on 0 (for a hedge against losses).
• Goal: To cover multiple segments of the wheel to increase winning odds.
• Winning Outcomes: Most outcomes on this betting spread result in some form of payout.
• Risk: A loss occurs if the ball lands between 1 and 12, so it’s not foolproof. You also need a decent bankroll to sustain this betting style.

3. Paroli System (Reverse Martingale)

• How It Works: Instead of doubling bets after a loss (like Martingale), you double your bet after a win and reset to your original bet after a loss.
• Goal: To capitalize on winning streaks while minimizing losses.
• Example: If you win a £10 bet, double it to £20. If you win again, double to £40, and so on. When you lose, return to £10.
• Pros: Safer than Martingale, as you’re betting more only when on a winning streak.
• Cons: Streaks can end unpredictably, so profits aren’t guaranteed.

4. 1-3-2-6 Betting System

• How It Works: Used for even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even). The sequence follows these four steps, bet:
  • 1 unit (if you win, proceed).
  • 3 units (if you win, proceed).
  • 2 units (if you win, proceed).
  • 6 units (if you win, reset).
• Goal: To minimize losses while maximizing potential profits over four rounds.
• Pros: A conservative system that requires you to win multiple times in a row for large gains, but losses remain small.
• Cons: If you lose at any point, you reset to the beginning, so it takes time and luck for significant gains.

5. Oscar’s Grind

• How It Works: Oscar’s Grind is a progressive system where you aim to increase your bet gradually after each win while keeping losses minimal.
• Procedure:
  • Start with a 1-unit bet.
  • Increase the bet by 1 unit after each win.
  • If you lose, continue betting the same amount without increasing.
  • Stop once you’ve reached a 1-unit profit.
• Goal: To manage losses by only increasing bets after a win.
• Pros: Slow, steady, and minimizes loss exposure.
• Cons: Patience is required, and big losses can still happen over time.

6. Andrucci Strategy

• How It Works: The Andrucci strategy is based on the idea that some numbers may appear more often than others over time.
• Procedure:
  • Observe the wheel for around 30–37 spins and track the numbers that appear most often.
  • Bet on the numbers that appeared more frequently during your observation.
• Goal: To take advantage of “hot numbers” based on the observation of recent spins.
• Pros: Can be fun for players who enjoy analysing patterns.
• Cons: Roulette outcomes are random and independent, so past results don’t predict future spins (gambler’s fallacy).

7. Column or Dozen Strategy

• How It Works: Place bets on the columns or dozens (1–12, 13–24, or 25–36) to cover a large portion of the table. If you lose, increase the bet on the chosen column or dozen until you win (similar to Martingale but with a wider spread).
• Goal: To increase odds of a payout since each dozen or column covers 12 numbers.
• Pros: High coverage of numbers, so the chance of winning is higher than single-number bets.
• Cons: Larger bet amounts may be required during losing streaks, and a loss means a loss of multiple previous bets.

Mastering these techniques takes practice, but learning when and how to use them will give you more control over the game and maximize your chances of winning. Remember to bet within your limits and sensibly. You can get more information on our page Gamble Aware or you visit the Official Gamble Aware page.