Roulette can look complex at first glance, but once the layout and basic rules click into place, the game becomes much easier to follow. A clear grasp of the table, the wheel, and the main bet types is all you need to get started.
This guide walks through the layout, the flow of a round, how chips and bets work, and the payouts for inside and outside bets. You will also see how payouts relate to probability, plus the key difference between European and American roulette.
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How Do You Read a Roulette Table Layout?
The roulette table is designed to be read at a glance once each part is understood. It is split into two main areas: the inside and the outside.
The inside section shows the numbers 1 to 36, with red and black squares, plus a green zero. American tables add a green double zero as well. Each square on the felt links to the matching pocket on the wheel.
Around that numbered grid sits the outside area. This is where you will find broader options such as red or black, odd or even, high or low, along with the dozen and column boxes that cover larger groups of numbers. Every betting space is labelled so you can place chips where they belong.
Once the layout feels familiar, the flow of a round makes much more sense.
What Are the Basic Rules of Roulette?
Roulette revolves around predicting which pocket the ball will settle in after the wheel spins. Players place their chips on outcomes shown on the felt, choosing individual numbers or wider groups.
When betting is open, chips can be added or adjusted. The dealer then spins the wheel one way and releases the ball in the other. Before the ball drops, the dealer calls no more bets. From that point, wagers cannot be changed.
When the ball comes to rest, the dealer announces the winning number and colour. Winning bets are paid according to the table’s payout rules and losing chips are cleared.
With that rhythm in mind, the next piece is how chip values and placement work in practice.
How Do You Place Bets and Use Chips?
Roulette uses chips that are often table-specific. In a casino, players usually receive a colour to distinguish their bets from others, with a chosen value assigned at purchase. Online, the platform shows chip values on screen.
Chips are placed on the felt to match the intended outcome. A chip directly on a number is a single-number bet. Positioning a chip on the line between two numbers covers both. Placing it at the end of a row covers three, and at a shared corner covers four. Each position signals a different bet and payout.
There is a short window before each spin for placing or adjusting bets. The dealer or platform will clearly close betting. After that, the focus moves to how different bet types pay.
What Are Inside Bets and Their Payouts?
Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid and target specific numbers or small clusters. They usually offer higher payouts because they cover fewer pockets.
Straight (Single Number)
A straight bet places chips directly on one number, including zero. If that exact number wins, the payout is typically 35 to 1.
Split, Street and Corner
Split: Chips on the line between two adjacent numbers. If either lands, it typically pays 17 to 1.
Street: Chips at the end of a horizontal row of three numbers. Any of the three typically pays 11 to 1.
Corner: Chips where four numbers meet. Any of the four typically pays 8 to 1.
Line, Dozen and Column
Line: Chips placed at the edge of two adjoining rows cover six numbers. It typically pays 5 to 1.
Dozen and column bets are placed in the outside area and are covered in the next section.
With the focused inside options covered, it helps to balance them with the broader outside bets.
What Are Outside Bets and Their Payouts?
Outside bets sit around the numbered grid and cover larger groups. They tend to hit more often than inside bets, but pay less when they do.
Red or Black: Covers all red numbers or all black numbers. Typically pays 1 to 1. The zero pockets are green and do not count for either colour.
Odd or Even: Covers all odd numbers or all even numbers. Typically pays 1 to 1. Zero is not odd or even.
High or Low: Covers 1 to 18 (low) or 19 to 36 (high). Typically pays 1 to 1.
Dozens: Covers 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36. Typically pays 2 to 1.
Columns: Covers one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers. Typically pays 2 to 1.
These areas are clearly marked on the felt so you can see at a glance what each bet includes.
So, how does a round actually play out from spin to settlement?
How Is a Spin Conducted and How Is a Winning Number Settled?
After betting closes, the wheel spins and the ball circles the track before dropping into a pocket. Once it settles, the dealer declares the result. Winning bets are paid out and the table is cleared for the next round.
In online roulette, the result and payouts are displayed on screen and the next betting window opens automatically. Either way, the sequence is consistent from one round to the next.
Understanding that flow helps when thinking about why different bets pay what they do.
How Do Payouts Relate To Probability And Odds?
Roulette payouts reflect how many pockets a bet covers. The fewer pockets covered, the longer the odds, and the higher the payout ratio.
A single-number bet in European roulette covers 1 of 37 pockets, which is why it typically pays 35 to 1. Red or black covers 18 numbers and typically pays 1 to 1. The green zero (and double zero in American roulette) gives the house an advantage because it is not included in even-money bets.
Each spin is independent. Payout ratios do not change the underlying chance of winning, and no staking approach removes the house edge.
With that in mind, the type of wheel in use also matters.
What Is The Difference Between European And American Roulette?
European roulette has a single zero, while American roulette has both a zero and a double zero. That means 37 pockets on a European wheel and 38 on an American one.
With one fewer non-paying pocket for even-money bets, European roulette generally offers slightly better odds on most wagers. In standard rules, this shifts the house edge from about 2.7% in European roulette to about 5.26% in American roulette.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.