One of the most iconic casino games around, roulette sits right up there with poker and blackjack as one of the most played betting games. If a popular game is what you’re looking for, roulette may just be the perfect casino game for you. Ensure that you’re playing at your best with our handy breakdown of all things roulette-related.

Pick the right casino for you

Nowadays, land casinos aren’t the only option for getting a bit of gaming fun. Online casinos have seen explosive growth in recent years, and there are many legitimate games platforms available. As long as you’ve found a reputable casino, it’s a fairly simple process to create an account, and you’ll be good to start betting in no time.

Online casinos mean no car trips or crowds, you can get your game on at any time you choose. Though the sights and sounds of a brick-and-mortar casino are indeed great for setting an atmosphere, you can have just as much fun while at home these days. Virtual casinos take gaming a step further, featuring live dealers and round-the-clock games.

Know the game

Depending on which type of table you’re playing, the house will have different odds, which will influence your chances of winning. There are two main types of roulette tables; European and American. The European layout uses a single zero, while an American layout uses two, otherwise known as a double-zero.

Due to the fact that American layouts have one extra number, the odds are a bit less in your favor compared to the European layout. European roulette offers odds of 36 to 1, while the American double-zero nets you 37 to 1 odds of winning. This also means that the house advantage is different, with a European wheel giving the house a 2.7% advantage, while an American wheel can be up to 5.3%. Ideally, you want to look out for tables with one zero, and avoid the tables with two if you can

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Types of bets
Wagers can be grouped into two categories; inside and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on specific numbers around the table. A split bet can cover multiple numbers, so long as they’re consecutive in a horizontal or vertical pattern. Outside bets offer higher odds of winning, but less payout per win. All inside numbers have a payout of 35 to 1, while outside bets usually net you a maximum of 3 to 1 with a winning spin. There are many different betting strategies, and they’re all based on the breakdown of betting options that you’ll find below.

Inside bets
A straight or single is to bet on a single number (from 0 to 36). A straight/single offers the highest payout of roulette at 36 to 1. A split is to bet on two vertically or horizontally adjacent numbers, while a street is a bet on three consecutive numbers, which can only be done horizontally and pays out 11 to 1. A corner or square bet is on four numbers that meet in a corner, and a six line or double street is six consecutive numbers that form a horizontal line, with payout dropping to 5 to 1. A trio is any three number bet that includes a zero, while a first four bet is on 0, 1, 2, and 3.

Outside bets
Outside bets, as we mentioned earlier, offer lower payouts than inside bets. Keep in mind that doesn’t mean they’re less likely to get you a big win. There are plenty of stories of outside betters winning big. Outside bets can be high or low, red or black, and odd or even. High or low is a bet on either 19 to 36, or 1 to 18, with a 2 to 1 payout if you win. Red or black and odd or even, your payout will be the same as high or low. A dozen bet splits the table into thirds, with a 3 to 1 payout on 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. Column bets follow a vertical column of 12 numbers, also paying out at 3 to 1. Though outside bets have lower payouts, there’s a higher probability for you to walk away with a win.

Pro tips
There are ways to play roulette that will minimise your losses, but you have to remember that the game is structured in such a way as to always give the house an advantage. If you’re aiming to have fun on the wheel of fortune, keep this in mind, and know that your chances are based on strict probabilities that stack against you the longer you play.

In any roulette game, there are 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and a green zero (or double-zero if you’re on an American layout). There’s a key difference between those red and black numbers. There are 10 odd red numbers and 8 even red numbers. The opposite is true for black, where there are 10 even black numbers and 8 odd ones. Therefore, betting on even and red, or odd and black, will slightly improve your chances of winning.

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Streaks and hot numbers happen, so try not to think that if a number just rolled, surely it won’t roll again. Gambler’s fallacy, also known as the Monte Carlo fallacy, is a reminder that random events aren’t based on previous events. Every spin is a random spin, and just because a number doesn’t hit the first 50 times, that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to come soon, if at all.

That brings us to the opposite of the gambler’s fallacy; hot numbers. Never take your money off a winning bet, because hot numbers can stay hot. The results of a spin will surprise you each and every time. Strict probabilities play out over time, so if you’re on a winning streak, quit while you’re ahead.

One last tip; if you’re betting on the outside, whether it’s colors or odds and evens, protect yourself with a small bet on zero. You may still suffer a loss, but this way you’ll be covered for at least some of that loss.