How to Play Roulette
Roulette is easy to pick up at the table or in a live studio. Here is exactly how a round plays out, from the moment you sit down to the moment the dealer pays the winners. 18+, play within your limits.
The wheel and the table layout
The wheel holds numbered pockets coloured red and black, plus a green zero (and a green double zero on American wheels). The betting table is a grid showing every number from 1 to 36, with the zero(s) at the top, surrounded by boxes for group bets such as red/black, odd/even, high/low, the dozens and the columns.
You bet by placing chips on the number, line or box you want. Where exactly you set the chip down decides which outcome you are backing, so take a moment to learn the grid before you stake.
Placing chips, the spin and getting paid
While betting is open you place your chips. The dealer then calls "no more bets", spins the wheel one way and releases the ball the other way. When the ball settles into a pocket, that number (and its colour, row and group) wins.
The dealer marks the winning number, clears the losing chips, and pays the winning bets at their fixed odds. Inside bets are chips placed directly on numbers (higher payouts, longer odds); outside bets are the group boxes like red/black or dozens (lower payouts, more frequent wins). See Bet Types & Payouts for the full list.
Table limits
Every table shows a minimum and maximum stake, in rand at CasinOnline. Outside bets usually have a lower minimum than the total you must cover on inside bets. The maximum matters more than it looks: it caps how far any progressive betting system can go, which is one reason no system can outrun the house edge. Try a round in the live roulette studio once you are comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between inside and outside bets?
Inside bets are placed on individual numbers or small groups on the number grid and pay more but win less often. Outside bets cover large groups like red/black, odd/even or a dozen, and pay less but win more frequently.
When can I place my bets?
You place chips while betting is open. Once the dealer spins and calls 'no more bets', the table is locked until the ball lands and winners are paid.
Do I need to know all the bets to start?
No. You can start with a simple outside bet like red/black or odd/even, which is close to a coin flip minus the edge, and add inside bets as you get comfortable with the layout.