Roulette Rules Betting Options and Payouts

Roulette, the iconic casino game, has captivated players for centuries with its spinning wheel and unpredictable outcomes. At the best NZ online roulette casinos, fans can immerse themselves in the allure of the game, placing their bets and hoping for a favourable spin. Whether you’re playing for sheer excitement or aiming to win real money, understanding the rules, betting options, and payouts is crucial.

In this guide, we’ll delve deep into the intricacies of roulette, from the basic rules and types of wheels to the various betting options and their respective payouts. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, this comprehensive overview promises to enhance your gaming experience. So, let’s embark on this journey and uncover the secrets of one of the most popular casino games in the world.

Introduction to Roulette

Roulette, often referred to as the Queen of Casino Games, has a rich history that spans centuries. Originating in France, the game quickly spread across Europe and eventually to the rest of the world. At its core, roulette is a game of chance where players place bets on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. The wheel is divided into numbered pockets, each coloured either red or black, with one or two green pockets reserved for zeros.

There are several versions of roulette, each with its unique characteristics. The three most prominent are French, European, and American roulette. While they share many similarities, subtle differences in the wheel layout and betting options set them apart.

For instance, while both European and French roulette features a single zero, American roulette stands out with an additional double zero. As we progress through this guide, we’ll uncover the distinct variations and the unique attributes of each version.

Basic Rules

Roulette, a game that has captivated fans for centuries, is deceptively simple in its design yet offers a depth of strategy and excitement. While there are several versions of the game, notably French, European, and American roulette, the core gameplay remains consistent across these variations.

At its heart, roulette involves a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets. Players place bets predicting where a small ball, released onto the spinning wheel, will land when the wheel comes to a stop. The wheel’s pockets are coloured either red or black, with the exception of one or two green pockets for zero(s). The European version has one green pocket (0), the American version has two (0 and 00), and the French version, like the European, has one green pocket but with additional betting options.

Adjacent to the wheel is the betting table, a layout where players place their chips. Bets can be specific, like predicting the exact number or more general, such as whether the ball will land on a red or black pocket, an odd or even number, or within a certain range of numbers.

Once bets are placed, the croupier (or dealer) spins the wheel in one direction and releases the ball in the opposite direction. As the wheel slows, the ball settles into one of the numbered pockets, determining the winning bets. The croupier then pays out the winners and collects the losing bets, and a new round begins.

While the basic rules are straightforward, the myriad of betting options and strategies that players can employ make roulette a game of both chance and skill, ensuring its enduring popularity.

Types of Roulette Wheels

Roulette, a game celebrated for its elegance and suspense, has evolved over the years, giving birth to different wheel types. Each wheel type brings its unique flavor to the game, and understanding these differences is crucial for players to make informed decisions.

• French Roulette Wheel: The French roulette wheel is similar to the European version, with 37 pockets, including numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero. What sets it apart is the “la partage” rule. If the ball lands on zero, players who placed even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even) get half of their stake back, reducing the house edge. Additionally, French roulette offers specific betting options not found in other versions. One of the most popular is les voisins du zero (neighbours of zero), which covers the 17 numbers surrounding and including zero.
• European Roulette Wheel: This wheel also features 37 pockets, with numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero. It’s the most widespread version of the game in Europe and many other parts of the world. Without the “la partage” rule of its French counterpart, European roulette maintains a slightly higher house edge, but it’s still more favourable to players than the American version.
• American Roulette Wheel: The American roulette wheel is distinct due to its inclusion of a double zero, making it a 38-pocket wheel. This additional pocket increases the house edge, making it less favourable for players compared to the French and European versions. The presence of the double zero also affects the number sequence on the wheel, making it different from its European counterpart.

Outside Bets and Payouts

For many fans of roulette, especially those just starting their journey, outside bets serve as a welcoming entry point. These bets are popular due to their simplicity and higher probability of winning, making them particularly attractive to beginners. While they might not offer the massive payouts that inside bets can yield, they provide a more consistent chance of success, allowing players to enjoy the game without taking on excessive risk.

Below is an overview of the most common outside bets:

Each of these bets covers a broad range of numbers, and as the table indicates, the payouts reflect the likelihood of these bets winning.

Red or Black

One of the simplest and most popular bets in roulette is wagering on the colour of the pocket where the ball will land. Players can choose either red or black. If the ball lands in a pocket of the chosen colour, the bet wins. It’s a straightforward bet that covers half the numbers on the wheel, excluding the zero(s).

Payout: 1:1

Odd or Even

Another straightforward bet, players wager on whether the ball will land on an odd or even numbered pocket. Just like the Red or Black bet, this option covers half the numbers on the wheel, excluding the zero(s).

Payout: 1:1

High or Low

Players can choose to bet on whether the ball will land on a low number (1-18) or a high number (19-36). This bet, like the previous two, covers half the numbers on the wheel and offers a good balance between risk and reward.

Payout: 1:1

Columns and Dozens

Roulette tables feature three columns and three dozens. Players can bet on any of the three columns (each covering 12 numbers) or any of the three dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36). These bets allow players to cover a third of the board with a single wager, offering more variety in their betting strategy.

Payout: 2:1

Inside Bets

Inside bets in roulette refer to all the bets placed on the inner section of the roulette table, directly on the numbers. These bets are more specific than outside bets and, as a result, come with higher payouts due to their lower probabilities.

While outside bets cover broader categories of numbers and offer a higher chance of winning, inside bets are for players looking for a bigger risk with the potential for a more significant reward. They allow for a more strategic and pinpointed approach to betting, targeting specific numbers or small groups of numbers.

Each of these bets offers a unique opportunity and challenge, making the game of roulette endlessly fascinating and versatile.

Straight (Single Number)

A straight bet, often referred to as a single-number bet, is the most straightforward inside bet in roulette. Players place their chips directly on a single number, from 0 to 36. If the ball lands on that specific number, the player wins.

Payout: 35:1

Split (Two Numbers)

A split bet allows players to bet on two adjacent numbers on the roulette table. To place this bet, players position their chips on the line separating the two numbers. If the ball lands on either of these numbers, the bet wins.

Payout: 17:1

Street (Three Numbers)

A street bet covers three numbers in a row on the roulette table. Players place their chips on the outer edge of the row they want to bet on. If the ball lands on any of the three numbers in that row, the player wins.

Payout: 11:1

Corner

Also known as a square or quad bet, a corner bet covers four numbers that form a square on the roulette table. Players place their chips at the intersection of the four numbers. If the ball lands on any of these numbers, the bet is a winner.

Payout: 8:1

Six Line

A six-line bet, often referred to as a double street bet, covers two adjacent rows of numbers, totalling six numbers. Players place their chips on the outer corner shared by the two rows. If the ball lands on any of the six numbers, the player wins.

Payout: 5:1

Trio

A trio bet involves betting on three numbers, including at least one zero. Players place their chips on the intersection of the numbers. If the ball lands on any of the three chosen numbers, the bet pays out.

Payout: 11:1

Basket

The basket bet is a five-number wager on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Players place their chips on the corner shared by the first line and zero. If the ball lands on any of these numbers, the player wins.

Payout: 6:1

Special Bets / Announced Bets

Special or announced bets are unique wagers that cover specific sections of the roulette wheel. These bets are particularly popular in European and French roulette and are often placed using a special betting area known as the racetrack. In land-based casinos, if a roulette table doesn’t feature a racetrack, players can announce these bets to the croupier. Online and in some modern casinos, the racetrack is a standard feature, allowing players to place these bets directly.

It’s important to note that announced bets don’t have fixed payout rates. This is because they cover multiple numbers with different individual payouts. The total payout depends on which number the ball lands on within the chosen section of the wheel.

A common misconception is confusing announced bets with called bets. Originally, called bets were used by players who couldn’t physically reach the roulette table due to it being overcrowded. They would call out their bets to the croupier.

Voisins du Zero

Voisins du Zero, or neighbors of zero, covers the 17 numbers closest to the zero on the wheel, spanning from 22 to 25. This bet requires nine chips and includes several splits, a trio, and a corner bet. The odds of winning depend on the specific number the ball lands on within this section. The highest paying win within this bet is the trio, which pays 11:1.

Tiers du Cylindre

Tiers du Cylindre, or thirds of the wheel, covers the 12 numbers opposite the zero on the wheel, spanning from 27 to 33. This bet requires six chips, all placed as split bets. The odds of winning are 32.4% for European roulette. The highest paying win is any of the split bets, which pay 17:1.

Orphelins

Orphelins, or orphans, covers the two sections of the wheel not included in Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre. This bet requires five chips and includes four splits and one straight bet. The odds of winning vary based on the specific number the ball lands on within this section. The highest paying win is the straight bet on number 1, which pays 35:1.

Understanding Payouts

In roulette, the term payout refers to the amount of money a player receives for a winning bet, relative to the amount they wagered. Payouts in roulette are typically expressed as ratios, such as 1:1 or 35:1. This ratio indicates how much you’ll win in relation to your bet. For instance, a 1:1 payout means that for every unit you bet, you’ll win an additional unit.

Let’s take the Red/Black bet as an example. If you place a bet on Red and the ball lands on a red number, you win. With a payout of 1:1, if you bet $10, you’ll receive your original $10 back plus an additional $10 in winnings. Conversely, if the ball lands on a black number or zero (in European roulette), you lose your bet.

Calculating Odds

Odds represent the likelihood of a particular outcome occurring. In the context of roulette, the odds of winning refer to the probability that a specific bet will result in a win. It’s essential to differentiate between the odds of winning and the payout. While the payout tells you how much you can win, the odds tell you how likely it is that you will win.

For instance, in European roulette, there are 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers, plus a single green zero. If you bet on Red, the odds of winning are 18 out of 37 (because there are 37 numbers in total, including the zero). This can be simplified to approximately 48.65%. This means that you have a 48.65% chance of the ball landing on a red number on any given spin.

It’s crucial to understand both the payout and the odds when playing roulette. While a Straight (Single Number) bet has a high payout of 35:1, the odds of winning are much lower, making it a riskier bet compared to something like a Red/Black bet with even odds.

Roulette House Edge

The house edge, often referred to as the casino advantage, is a term used in gambling to describe the mathematical advantage the casino has over the player in the long run. It’s a measure of how much the casino expects to win on average over numerous bets. In roulette, the house edge is a result of the presence of the zero (and the double zero in American roulette).

In European roulette, which has a single zero, the house edge is 2.7%. This means that for every $100 wagered by players, the casino expects to keep $2.70 on average. In American roulette, which has both a single zero and a double zero, the house edge is almost doubled at 5.26%.

The reason the house edge remains constant across all bet types in roulette is due to the payouts being set in a way that they do not fully reflect the true odds of the game. For instance, in European roulette, the odds of hitting a single number are 1 in 37, but the payout is 35:1. This discrepancy between the true odds and the payout is where the house edge comes from.

It’s important for players to understand the house edge because it provides insight into the long-term prospects of the game. While players can certainly have winning sessions, over an extended period, the house edge ensures that the casino will always come out ahead. This is why it’s often said that the house always wins.

Conclusion

Roulette stands as a casino classic, offering players a mix of strategy and chance. From its various versions like European and American to the diverse betting options, the game consistently delivers excitement. While the house edge gives casinos an advantage, understanding the game can elevate the playing experience. Remember to play responsibly, embrace the unpredictability, and enjoy the timeless thrill of the spinning wheel.

FAQs about Roulette Bets and Payouts