Roulette Rules for Beginners 

Our Guide Including Online Roulette Tips

Roulette is one of the most popular and iconic casino games. A European/French Roulette wheel has 37 numbered pockets whereas American Roulette has 38. These are made up of 18 red, 18 black and 1 or 2 green and are numbered 0 to 36. The objective is to pick which pocket you think the spinning ball will land on and accordingly place a bet on it. You may place a bet on multiple numbers as well as whether it lands on a red or black pocket or if the number it lands on is odd or even. The Roulette rules are really easy to learn making it an excellent game for those new to casinos.

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Beginners Guide to Roulette

Odds, Probabilities and Payouts

You should have a good understanding of Roulette odds, probabilities, payouts, and full roulette rules before trying the game for yourself. Fortunately, the basic roulette rules are the same for both online and land-based casinos so this guide will be helpful to you whichever way you choose to play.

There are two main types of bets you can place during a Roulette game.

Inside Bets

If you were to place an Inside Bet, it would mean that you are placing a bet on either a single number or a group of numbers from 2 to 6. 

• Single number/Straight bets – If you bet on a single number, the winning odds are 35:1.

• Split bets – A Split bet is when you bet on two numbers that are next to each other on the table. The winning odds for a split bet are 17:1.

• Corner bets – By betting on four numbers next to each other, you are placing a corner bet. The winning odds for a corner bet are 8:1.

Outside Bets

If you were to place an Outside Bet, it would mean that you are placing a bet on something outside of the numbers betting area. For example an outside bet could be that the spinning ball is going to land on a red pocket.

• Red or Black – Very simply, you pick whether you think the spinning ball will land on a red or black pocket. The winning odds for a red or black bet are 1:1.

• Odd or Even – Again very simple, you choose whether you think the spinning ball will land on an odd or even number. The winning odds for an odd or even bet are 1:1.

• High or Low – You choose if you think the spinning ball will land on a high number which would be from 19 to 36 or a low number which would be from 1 to 18. The winning odds for a high or low bet are 1:1.

• Dozens – On the table there are three sections marked as 1st 12, 2nd 12 and 3rd 12. Each section has 12 numbers and by placing a bet on one section, you are betting that the spinning ball will land on one of the numbers within that section. The odds for a dozens bet are 2:1.

• Column – There are three columns of 12 numbers and by placing a bet on one column, you are betting that the spinning ball will land on one of the numbers within that column. The odds for a column bet are 2:1

How to play roulette – a Step by Step Guide

Choose your casino – It’s safe to say that most land based casinos you come across are reputable and a good sign to look for is how busy they are. If you’re unsure of a land based casino, there’s no harm in asking to see their certifications, they will often be displayed within the casino. There is a lot of information online so spend some time doing some research before making your decision. Online forums are a good place to speak to other punters and here at betting.co.uk, we have lots of reviews to aid you in making your choice.

With online casinos it can be a bit more tricky to tell if they are a safe and reputable website. Again we would advise checking online forums and reading some of our online casino reviews so you can ensure the casino you pick is legitimate.

Pick a table – In your classic brick-and-mortar casino there will usually be an array of tables to choose from and each will have different bet limitations so ensure you find a table with a minimum bet you’re happy with.

If you choose to play Roulette online, there will often be a choice of two tables. Classic, where you play against the software or Live, where you play with a live dealer. When you’re playing with real money, we would recommend playing with a live dealer rather than the software however, online there are options without using real money. We recommend you begin on these as you’re learning the game at least until you’re familiar and confident with how to play.

When you do choose to start playing with real money, we advise starting on a low stakes Roulette table.

Place your bets – Remember to consider the above odds, probabilities and payouts section of this article when deciding on how big a bet to place.

Roulette also has a time limit between each round so whether you play on land or online, be sure to get your bet in before the time to do so is up. Online there will usually be a button you can click to bet the same amount you did previously and also one you can click to double your previous bet.

Roulette table etiquette – Table etiquette is very important when playing Roulette, especially at land based casinos so be sure to make yourself aware of these unwritten rules that coexist with the more formal roulette rules.

1. Joining a game at the right time – Find a table with an open slot and a minimum bet you’re pleased with. Check to see if a game is currently in progress before sitting down. If a spin is in play, wait for it to finish. If you are unsure, kindly ask the dealer if it is okay to join.
2. Be quick! – Remember, each round has a time limit and if you haven’t put a bet down by the time the dealer calls “no more bets”, you’ll have to wait until the next round. Whilst the dealer is settling up from the previous round, use this time to decide what bet you would like to make. Online, there is usually a timer between rounds so keep an eye out for this.
3. Be clear – In a land based casino, ensure you speak clearly. It’s rude to lean across the table to place a bet so if you need to ask someone who can reach to do it for you, be polite and extremely clear on where you would like your chips to be placed. And finally, don’t forget your manners, always say thank you.
4. Help others – If someone asks you to place their chips on the table for them, do so and make sure you fully understand exactly where they are asking you to place the chips before you do.
5. Be considerate – This should go without saying but don’t be loud and obnoxious. If a table is busy, try not to take up too much space so more people can fit round.
6. Winning – By all means celebrate a win, anyone would, but be mindful that whilst you have won, others have lost and an over the top celebration probably won’t go down well.
7. Collecting winnings – At the end of a round, the dealer will place a marker on the table. This means they are working to pay out players and you should not touch your chips even if the dealer has placed them in front of you. As soon as the dealer has removed the marker, you can then collect your chips.
8. Follow instructions – If a table has betting limitations, stick to them. The dealer will tell you if you have bet too much or too little and if you don’t adjust your bet to the limitations, it is likely the dealer will declare your wager a no bet and it will not count. This will also happen if you place a bet after the dealer has called “no more bets”. If you’re ever unsure, ask the dealer.
9. Only ever put chips on the table – Food, drinks and pretty much anything besides your chips is a big no no.

Online Roulette

Playing Roulette online is a great way to introduce yourself to the game. As mentioned previously, there is the option to play Roulette online without using real money. This is a great way to familiarise yourself with the game before placing a real money bet. Another benefit to playing Roulette online is that you can play on the go using a mobile app or from the comfort of your own home where you can be as loud as you like.

Sign up offers

It’s very unlikely for an online casino to not be running a signup promotion so use being a casino newbie to your advantage, do some research and find the best offers for you. Be sure to thoroughly read through the terms and conditions of each sign up offer before making your decision. Utilise forums and reviews to help you decide.

Top 5 Online Roulette Tips for Beginners

1. Understand the odds and the roulette rules before placing a bet – the more you know, the better.
2. Find a trustworthy online casino – Use reviews and forums to find a casino that is reputable and safe.
3. Play without using real money first – Doing so can help you learn how to play the game and familiarise yourself with how everything in the casino works.
4. Play European Roulette online – We already know that European/French Roulette wheel has 37 numbered pockets whereas American Roulette has 38. The difference may seem very slight but the house edge on European Roulette stands at 2.7% whilst the house edge for American Roulette stands at a significantly bigger 5.26%.
5. Don’t get carried away – Set yourself a loss limit and be strict with it. If you hit your loss limit, stop playing. You can always play again the following day.

What other betting/casino guides & strategies are available?

Betting.co.uk offers a wide selection of betting/casino guides and strategies. So now you know more about Roulette, why not take a look at guides on topics such as Blackjack rules, Baccarat rules, live casino rules, and Bingo rules!

Conclusion

Roulette has been around for centuries and is one of the most loved casino games. With this guide, you now have everything you need to start playing one of the world’s most classic casino games.

Familiarise yourself with the odds and make a ‘cheat sheet’ if you choose to play online. Most of all, find a reputable and safe casino whether you choose to play online or off and always remember your Roulette table etiquette if you’re visiting a land based casino.

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