Roulette Game Rules and Rules of Roulette Variations

16.05.2019, 11:35

Stemming from its depiction in films and media, Roulette is one of the classiest table games in the gambling world.

A lot of the popularity comes from its instantly recognizable and universal layout. Most importantly, its ultimate factor of chance and luck are essential features of a perfect casino game.

A significant advantage of the game and its multiple variations is the fact that the principles of Classic Roulette (European version of the game) are enough to make your gambling experience unique and engaging across all game variations.

Table Layout and Bets

The iconic Roulette table contains the wheel with black, red and green pockets (a single 0 in European, 0 and 00 in the American version) for the numbers 0-36 and a score table of all the possible numbers and their combinations that the players can bet on.

The wheel is pretty straightforward, but the table sectors could use some explanation. This is because, apart from betting on single numbers, you can bet on a variety of number combinations as well.

Some are self-explanatory, such as betting only on odd numbers, while the others are a bit more complex.

Numerical

1st, 2nd, 3rd dozens. Betting on any thirds of all 36 numbers, excluding 0.
1-18 (Lows), 19-36 (Highs).Betting on the halves of all numbers, excluding 0.
Odd or Even. Betting on odd or even numbers, excluding 0.
Final Bets. Betting on final digits, placing a bet on any of the single-digit numbers and then on the slots that include it at the end.

Color-Based

Betting on black or red number groups.

Announced or Called Game (Wheel related)

Neighbors of Zero or Series 0/2/3. 17 numbers on the wheel between 22 and 25, including 0.
Thirds of the Wheel or Series 5/8. 12 numbers, opposite from the “Neighbours”, between 33 and 27.
Orphans. The rest of the 8 numbers not included in previous combinations.
Zero Game. Numbers close to zero: 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15.

The bets which can be placed inside the main field of the numbers are called Inside bets. Any bets outside of this field, like color or number-based, are Outside bets.

Some Advanced Roulette tables include a field for Outside bets that mimics the sequence of numbers on the wheel, called the Race bets. It lets you bet on smaller number groups.

Types of Bets

There are also several ways of placing the Inside bets that can cover a small number group with an inside bet.

Straight. The most straightforward bet – placing the chip inside a single slot.
Split. Placing a bet on the border of the two slots, meaning that you bet on both numbers at once.
Street. Placing a bet in the corner of the row, which covers all three numbers in that row.
Six Line. Placing a bet on the joint corner of two rows, covering both of the rows.
Corner. Placing a bet on the common corner of four slots, betting on four numbers at once.
Basket. Placing a bet on the corner of the zero-field and the first row.
Trio. Placing a bet on the corner of any two numbers that border the zero field.
Column. Placing the bet on one of the number columns.

Roulette Payouts

The bets you can place on the table are quite intuitive and easy-to-understand. Therefore, seeing that there is no other gameplay aside from betting, understanding the table layout and betting principles is everything you need to know.

Numerous betting possibilities allow the players to increase their chance of winning. However, as expected, the more chance of winning there is, the less of a winning one will get.

Placing the safest bet possible, which would be either a color or a half bet, will ensure almost 50% chance of succeeding, but the payout would be just 1:1, while nailing a zero would be highly unlikely, yet highly rewarding at 35:1.

1:1 – Red/Black, Odd/Even, Lows/Highs
2:1 – 1st, 2nd or 3rd Dozens, Columns
5:1 – Six Line
8:1 – Corner
11:1 – Street
17:1 – Split, Thirds of the Wheel
24:1 – Neighbors of Zero
26:1 – Zero Game
17:1 to 35:1 – The Orphans
35:1 – Straight or 0

Roulette Variations

Some Announced or Called bets can differ in payouts, due to these specific number groups being positioned on the wheel, rather than the table.

As mentioned, and as evident from the variety of games on Bob Casino, Roulette is not a stranger to some variations, just like Blackjack.

However, since the rules of the game are connected only with the betting itself, all the differences in the rules are easy to adapt to and play without much prior knowledge.

American Roulette

The only major difference of American Roulette from the European is the additional number of the wheel and the table. 00 or double zero. Thus, the total amount of pockets is 38.

This adds the Top Line or Box of Five Bet. This is a combination similar to the Basket. It includes the 00 field along with the regular zero and the first row of the table. The payout for it is 6:1, but the overall House Edge is significantly increased due to the added pocket.

French Roulette

The French are the grandfathers of the modern Roulette. It originated there back in the 18th century, even before the French Revolution!

The Classic Roulette or the European version is the same as the French Roulette. In fact, the European variant is based on the French.

However, there are certain tricks and options that are available exclusively while playing the French version and landing on a zero without betting on it. Coincidentally, these actions are referred to in French:

En Prison: literally means “In prison”, referring to the bet. With this move, you can avoid losing the bet, but it will stay on the same pocket(s) for the next round, without the possibility of changing it. Hence, you’re En Prison. If you lose the next round, the bet is lost.
La Partage: means “Splitting” or “Parting”. Once the ball lands on a zero, you can reclaim half of the lost bet and place new ones during the next round as you wish.

Otherwise, the French version is the same as European. The names of the bets are in French, but they are most often translated in online casinos.

Conclusion

Apart from many card casino games, Roulette provides a huge variety of betting options. In turn, it makes you think, analyze and adopt the necessary strategy to get a higher chance of winning.

That’s why it stands out on its own among many other online casino games, especially on Bob Casino.