In live roulette, a dealer spins a wheel and a ball lands in one numbered pocket. Players choose bets before the result. The wheel layout, the payout table and any special rules determine how each wager is settled, so check the table information before joining.
European and American wheels
A standard European wheel has 37 pockets: 0 and 1 through 36. A standard American wheel has 38 pockets: 0, 00 and 1 through 36. The extra pocket changes the mathematical house edge on a straight-up bet: with standard payouts and no special rules, the single-zero wheel has an edge of about 2.70%, while the double-zero wheel is about 5.26%.
French tables may use a single-zero wheel and additional rules such as La Partage or En Prison on eligible even-money bets. These rules can change the expected loss for those specific bets. Read the table's own wording; rules and eligibility may vary.
Common roulette bets
Inside bets cover a small group of numbers, while outside bets cover larger groups. With the standard payout schedule, common net payouts are:
| Bet | Numbers covered | Net payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 |
| Six-line | 6 | 5 to 1 |
| Dozen or column | 12 | 2 to 1 |
| Red/black, odd/even, high/low | 18 | 1 to 1 |
“Net payout” describes winnings relative to the stake; the original stake may also be returned on a winning bet, depending on how the display presents the total. Zero is not red or black, odd or even, high or low, so many outside bets lose when the ball lands on zero. Check the table panel for the exact rules.
Betting systems and their limits
Systems such as Martingale, Fibonacci or Paroli change how much a player wagers after each result. They do not change the wheel, the payout schedule or the house edge. A table limit, finite balance or long losing sequence can stop a progression, and each spin remains uncertain. A pattern in earlier spins does not tell you where the next ball will land.
A more useful preparation is to understand the table rules, select a stake that fits a fixed entertainment budget and set a time limit. Do not raise your limit to recover earlier losses. If the rules are unclear, pause and read them before betting.
Common questions
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
The standard single-zero wheel has a lower house edge than the standard double-zero wheel, all else being equal. Special rules and a table's payout schedule can change the comparison, so read the rules.
Can a betting system remove the house edge?
No. Changing stake sizes cannot remove the house edge or predict an outcome.
Does live roulette use the same rules everywhere?
No. Wheel type, bet availability, limits and special rules can vary by table and provider. Check the live table's information panel.
Roulette is a game of chance. Set limits before you start, stop when they are reached, and do not chase losses. See the responsible gaming guide for ways to keep play within bounds.
