How to play roulette

Obviously, if we bet our chips on a single number, we have much less chance of winning than if we bet on even or red. But our aim is to win often, even a little, in order to limit the risks. Otherwise, play everything on a single number and leave it to chance...

How to win at roulette? Here's a page explaining how to win depending on the type of bet you make.

List of winnings based on bets

At roulette, there are different betting options offered by casinos. Depending on their strategy, players are free to choose the alternative that suits them best.

Single number (in the middle of the square): pays 35 times the stake

This type of bet consists of betting on a single number to try to win 35 times the amount of the initial bet. This is one of the bets that offers the highest winnings in one go. Of course, you have to be lucky to win. If, for example, you bet €10 and your ball lands on the number of your choice, you will walk away with €360, i.e. €350 added to the €10 bet.

Straddling two numbers: 17 times the stake

In this case, the bet will be on two numbers. If the punter makes a winning draw, they will be able to win 17 times the amount of the initial bet. To bet on numbers 1 and 3, for example, simply call "horse one-five" and that's it.

Transverse (3 numbers in a row with the chip at the end of the straddle line): 11 times the stake

The bet here is on three numbers. In the event of a win, you will win 11 times the amount of the bet. It is also possible to bet on three numbers in the same row. This is known as a cross bet. To place a bet on numbers 7, 8 and 9, for example, you would say: cross 7 to 9.

Square (at the intersection of 4 numbers): 8 times the bet

The player predicts on 4 different numbers. This bet pays eight times the amount of the bet. The bet is then placed in the centre of the numbers of your choice. To bet on 2, 3, 5 and 6, you will have to announce 2 to 6.

Sixain (6 numbers straddling 2 crosspieces): 5 times the stake

The sixain consists of betting on 6 numbers and trying to win 5 times the amount bet. This bet is made at the intersection of two rows of three numbers. To place a bet on 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, simply say sixain 4 to 9.

The dozen or the third (1-12 13-24 25-36): 2 times the stake

Here, you have to choose twelve numbers to win twice your stake in a winning draw. The roulette carpet is already divided into three dozen, so all the bettor has to do is indicate which one he wants to bet on. These can be the first twelve, the middle twelve or the last twelve.

Simple odds (odd/even, red/black, single/manque): 1 times the stake

With this bet, you bet on half the numbers, excluding the 0. These can be even, odd, red, black, single or missing numbers. The player is free to choose which half to bet on.
Winning the bet once means winning the value of the bet and recovering the initial bet. It means playing €5 and getting back €10.

Did you notice the 0 boxes? Well, you can bet on them like a single number. However, they don't form part of any of the other bets, which is how the casino wins in the long run:

A bit of probability!

On an American roulette wheel, there are 2 0 squares, giving a total of 36 + 2 squares.
So if we bet on an even number, we don't have a 50% (18/36) chance of winning, but a 47.4% (18/38) chance of winning. This means that if an even number comes up 40 times out of 100 moves, there is a good chance that it will come up a little more in the next 100 moves. To get a more precise idea of this probability, we can do the following calculation: 47.4% - 40 = 7.4%; 7.4% + 47.4% = 54.8%. It is therefore likely that you will fall 55 times out of an even number over the next 100 rounds.

It's the same for all bets, of course: your chances are not equiprobable.
The fewer the zero boxes, the greater your chances of winning.
The casino edge is that small 1.37% chance that the casino can win more than you with French roulette (1 single zero).

It is interesting to read the rules applied when the 0 comes up. Some casinos allow players to double their current bet or lose for good when 0 comes up. There are other rules, but most of the time if you hadn't bet 0 and it comes up, you simply lose.

Here's a free roulette for you to try out - European here ;) - you must have flash enabled

Some roulette table tips to know

If you want to play online, you have the option of playing in free mode to initially familiarise yourself with the rules of this game. Once you have understood the principles of the game and acquired a few strategies, you can then start betting real money. Also, with virtual casinos, as a newcomer you usually get a welcome bonus.

With this, you have a few more chips to bet on roulette, and therefore a few more chances to win. In addition, by obtaining a loyalty programme, you benefit from exceptional promotions, as well as a number of advantages in relation to your level.

I offer you the chance to expand your knowledge: Details on roulettes…