The Rules of Roulette Explained

Roulette remains one of the most popular casino games. One of the reasons for this is that it's so easy to understand. Here, the aim is to bet on the final location of the ball, betting on one or more possibilities. 

Even though it's easy to understand, roulette has certain specificities that can be more complicated to assimilate. The aim of this article is to explain the rules of roulette in detail. 

The purpose of roulette 

As mentioned above, roulette has the advantage of being one of the easiest table games to learn. The primary objective is to predict where the ball will end up in the cylinder, by placing bets on one or more options. 

Players can bet on individual numbers, known as full numbers. They can also bet on groups of numbers, or on single odds. 

The croupier rotates the cylinder in one direction, and spins the ball in the other, thus determining the winning number. 

How to play roulette 

If you've never played roulette before, it can be disconcerting to arrive at a table without really knowing what to do. 

Don't worry, though, as the following lines will explain how to play roulette, going over everything that goes into playing a classic game. 

Understanding the dealer's lexicon 

One of the first things to understand are the terms used by the croupier. For a beginner, it can be confusing to hear phrases like "all bets are off" or "nothing's going right". 

However, these terms are part of a very precise lexicon, specific to the croupier's profession. To help you find your way around, we've put together a little table summarizing the different phrases you might hear from a croupier:

Roulette betting 

There are several different ways to place a bet in roulette. These different options are known by the following names: 

• Inside bets 

• Outside bets 

• Simple odds 

Each type of bet has its own probability, higher or lower. For example, bets placed on inside bets are less likely to fall than outside bets or single odds. However, the latter two are less profitable. 

Some roulette variants have different odds. This is particularly true of American roulette, which has an extra number: The double zero (00). 

We'll explain exactly what each type of bet means. 

Inside bets in roulette 

Inside bets are bets placed directly on the numbers on the table. 

Here are the different types of inside bets: 

Roulette outside bets 

Outside bets are bets placed on columns and groups of numbers: 

The optional "En Prison" Bet 

The "En Prison" rule is a special feature found only in French roulette. It's also known as the "split rule". 

This rule stipulates that when the ball stops on zero, players who have bet on a simple chance (black/red, even/odd, miss/pass) have two options: 

• They can immediately recover half their bet 

• They can place their entire bet "in jail" for the next roulette round

Putting a bet in jail offers the player an additional opportunity to win. However, it's important to note that if the player hits zero again on the next spin, he or she will lose the entire bet. 

How the game works 

To take part in a roulette game, you first need to place your bets. You generally have around 20 seconds to place your bet, although this may vary depending on the roulette you're playing. 

As previously mentioned, betting options include full numbers, sets of numbers, as well as single odds. 

Once the bets have been made, the croupier throws the ball into the cylinder, in the opposite direction of its rotation. When the ball stops, the croupier announces the winning number. 

If the ball stops on the number, color or other option you bet on, you win the game round. In this case, your winnings are displayed in the center of your screen. 

Roulette payouts vary according to the type of bet made. A bet on a full number pays out more than a bet on a single chance. 

Winning roulette tips 

Roulette is also well known for its various strategies. Some are based on more or less recognized mathematical sequences, while others emphasize intelligent money management. 

It's important to bear in mind that these techniques are by no means 100% infallible. Whichever method you choose, a win is never guaranteed. 

Nevertheless, we've decided to present a few of the most famous strategies. 

The Martingale method at the roulette wheel 

The Martingale method is certainly the strategy most frequently adopted by players, its principle being both simple to understand and to implement. 

It involves betting only on simple odds (Black/Red, Even/Odd or Miss/Pass). If you lose a round, you must double your bet in the next game, until you win. 

Once you've won, you return to your base bet, having recouped your losses and initial stakes. 

However, the major risk associated with this method is the rapid increase in stakes. It's also important to remember that roulette wheels feature at least one 0 number, thus increasing the casino's advantage. 

Despite its attractive appearance, this strategy remains deceptive, as it requires considerable stakes to hope for winnings that will always remain small. 

The Zographos roulette method 

The Zographos method takes its name from the Greek mathematician Nicholas Zographos. It's an approach designed to maximize your winnings, while minimizing your losses. 

This strategy is based on the idea of following a betting pattern, divided into eight sequences, adjusting the amounts according to previous results.

So, in the first sequence, you'll first observe the first 3 rounds, without betting. 

In the second sequence, you must repeat the previous sequence, betting the same amount each time.

After the first two sequences, you must then bet according to the dominant color, overlapping the moves of each sequence. 

Repeat the process until you reach the eighth and final sequence. Once you've finished, simply start again with the first observation sequence. 

This method seems interesting, since it allows you to adjust your bets accordingly, while avoiding excessive risk. But despite this, it's important to stress that the random nature of roulette makes it difficult to accurately predict future outcomes. 

The d'Alembert pyramid at the roulette wheel 

Almost as well-known as the Martingale, this strategy is based on d'Alembert's pyramid. Its main objective is to minimize your losses while prolonging the duration of your gaming session. 

You start with one unit of stake. If you win, you maintain a one-unit stake. On the other hand, if you lose, you increase your stake by one unit for the next round. 

If you win the next move, you reduce your stake to one unit for the next turn. If you lose, you add another unit for the next bet, and so on. 

This technique has the significant advantage of limiting risk, with total stakes remaining relatively low and close to the initial amount. The major disadvantage lies in the need to string together a series of wins in order to recoup all your losses. 

Which casinos offer roulette? 

Playing roulette is a must at most online casinos and is probably the most popular game on both live and single-player gaming platforms. So, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the ideal platform. 

That's why we've put together a small selection of Canadian online casinos where you can find the best roulette games. 

Millionz Casino 

Millionz is one of our favorite online casinos, not least because of its wide range of roulette games. On top of this, the platform offers players a games catalog that also includes over 6,000 slot machines and other live games. 

All available promotional offers are guaranteed wager-free, which was a huge plus for us. This applies, of course, to the exclusive welcome bonus: 

• 100% up to $1,000 + 50 free spins on Yeti Battle of GreenHat Peak 

You can enjoy the experience with complete peace of mind thanks to the presence of a gaming license, and quality customer support ready to provide you with the necessary assistance and answers to all your questions. 

For more detailed information on Millionz, we invite you to read our full review. 

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MyEmpire Casino 

Thanks to the presence of exceptional game suppliers such as Evolution, we were able to enjoy some of the best roulette games on MyEmpire Casino. This platform is the ideal destination for fans of table games, slot machines, and live games. 

The welcome offer is particularly generous and applies to your first 4 deposits, which really appealed to us. In total, new players can claim: 

• Up to $1,200 + 300 free spins  

The possibility of placing a deposit with cryptocurrencies is highly appreciated, and withdrawals are particularly fast. 

Take a look at our full MyEmpire Casino review, where you'll find out more about many aspects of this gaming platform. 

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Playfina Casino 

Roulette takes pride of place in Playfina’s high-quality selection of games. Whether live or solo, the platform offers the very best in roulette, meeting the expectations of many players. 

This online casino stands out for its commitment to high standards, reflected in a game library comprising over 2,600 games from the best suppliers on the market. 

What particularly caught our attention were the generous bonuses offered by the casino. This also includes the particularly attractive welcome bonus we came across: 

• Up to $1,470 + 600 free spins split between your 1st 3 deposits + Secret 4th deposit bonus 

To find out more about Playfina Casino, read our full review. 

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