Rules of European Roulette

Roulette is, undoubtedly, the queen of casino games. Its name comes from French and translates as “little wheel” or “small wheel” in English. Its use as an element of gambling, in forms other than those we know today, is not documented until well into the Middle Ages.

Aim of the game

The aim of the game is to make bets and predict which number or colour the ball will land on when it stops spinning. In doing so, players seek to obtain as many chips as possible.

Elements of the game

Roulette or Cylinder

The roulette, or cylinder, has several numbered compartments in two different colours, red and black. In European Roulette, there are a total of 37 numbers which go from 1 to 36 and one single zero (0). On the other hand, American Roulette has 38 numbers which includes 1 to 36 plus a zero (0) and a double zero (00).

Cloth or Mat

The roulette wheel is placed at one end of a table covered with a mat, which is traditionally dark green, although colours such as green, burgundy and navy blue are now used. The mat has different squares to place bets which are usually carried out with chips that can be exchanged for cash.

The mats and roulette wheels vary according to whether there’s a single zero or double zero. American roulette wheels, which have double zero, allow up to eight players, each one with different colour chips. Players place their chips and, when the round has finished, the croupier collects them manually. On the other hand, French or European Roulette only has one zero and uses “value” chips provided by the casino, which are usually placed and removed by the croupiers with a rake.

Ball

The ball is a white or ivory-coloured sphere, with a diameter of approximately two centimetres. Its interaction with the roulette wheel is as follows: the croupier throws the ball over an inner rim of the wheel, causing it to spin around the wooden rim while the inner rotor spins in the opposite direction.As the ball slows down, the croupier announces the classic “No more bets” and players can no longer place a bet, they must wait for the ball to land in one of the numbered squares,thus determining the winning number of the game.

Nowadays, automatic roulette wheels, which randomly shoot the ball, are also widespread in gambling halls. Electronic roulette wheels are considered gambling machines, which means that they must offer a minimum percentage of returns regulated by law. This is achieved through jackpots or mysteries, which are direct prizes awarded by the machine when the roulette wheel generates more money than agreed. This is the only difference from the classic roulette tables in the casino, apart from the fact that the maximum bets in the rooms are subject to the limit of the permitted prize pool.

Bets and payouts

It is possible to place multiple bets during a spin, with payouts calculated in proportion to the quantity of numbers covered by each chip and the type of bet placed.

• Red/Black: Bet on the colour of the winning number (red or black). 18 numbers are played (18 red and 18 black on the roulette).

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 2 x 1

• Odd/Even: Bet whether the ball will land on an odd or even number. 18 numbers are played (18 odd or 18 even numbers).

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 2 x 1

• Low Bet/High Bet: Bet if the number will be between 1-18 (low bet) or 19-36 (high bet). !8 numbers are played.

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 2 x 1

• Dozen: Bet in which dozen the winning number will be. 12 numbers are played (each dozen has 12 numbers).

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 3 x 1

• Column: Bet in which column the winning number will be. 12 numbers are played (each dozen has 12 numbers).

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 3 x 1

• Line Bet: Bet on 6 numbers in two adjacent lines.

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 6 x 1

• Corner Bet: Bet on 4 numbers that form a square on the table.

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 9 x 1

• Street Bet: Bet on 3 numbers in one line (variants: 0, 1, 2 or 0, 2, 3).

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 12 x 1

• Split Bet: Bet on 2 adjacent numbers on the table (horizontal or vertical).

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 18 x 1

• Straight Up: Bet on only one number.

Payout, as a multiple of the bet: 36 x 1

Single draws are those that cover 18 numbers. To bet with a single chip on multiple numbers, the chip must be placed on the lines or squares between them.

A payout ratio of 36 times (including chips wagered) is maintained on all bets. If zero or double zero is rolled, single bets, as well as tens and columns, lose; however, all other bets involving zero are normally paid.

Betting strategies and tactics

Currently, there is no proven mathematical strategy that gives players an absolute advantage over casinos, as roulette is essentially a game of chance. However, by understanding its rules and considering the type of roulette, players can place bets more intelligently.

Understanding the importance of the number 0 is fundamental, since it affects the dynamics of the game. As previously indicated, in European roulette, there are 37 numbers, while in the American version an additional number is included, the 00, increasing the total to 38 numbers. Although these numbers don’t belong to traditional categories, their impact on casino winnings is notable. When the ball lands on 0 or 00 the rules change, providing players with tactical options like reclaiming half of their bet or leaving it “in prison” for the following round.

Best-known betting methods

A summary of the most widely used and debated scientific methods for playing against the roulette wheel:

• Martingale
• D’Alembert
• Fibonacci
• Labouchere
• Oscar’s Grind

The Martingale betting system is the most famous, and it is also one of the oldest forms of gambling. There is historical evidence that this method was successfully applied in games of chance prior to the invention of roulette. The Martingale system is based on simple odds bets (red/black; odd/even; high/low numbers). In the classic example, a bet is chosen based on the colour of the winning number, although the choice of single odds depends on the player's preferences. This system can be applied to any type of roulette bet that pays 1 to 1.

Play Roulette and discover the exciting prizes that await you with every spin. Luck may be on your side!