- Choose European or French roulette – the single zero gives a 2.70% house edge, versus 5.26% on American roulette.
- French roulette with La Partage cuts the house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%.
- No roulette strategy or betting system can beat the house edge.
Look for French roulette with La Partage if you play even-money bets. It halves the house edge on those bets compared with European roulette.
How to play roulette
Roulette is one of the simplest casino games to learn. You place chips on the numbers or groups of numbers you think the ball will land on, the dealer spins the wheel, and the ball settles in one pocket. Winning bets are paid according to the odds of that bet.
European roulette has 37 pockets – numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green zero. American roulette adds a double zero for 38 pockets, which increases the house edge.
Roulette bets and payouts
Roulette bets are split into inside bets (on specific numbers) and outside bets (on larger groups).
| Bet | Covers | Pays | Chance of winning (European) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35 to 1 | 2.7% |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17 to 1 | 5.4% |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11 to 1 | 8.1% |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8 to 1 | 10.8% |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5 to 1 | 16.2% |
| Dozen or column | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 | 32.4% |
| Red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36 | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 | 48.6% |
Roulette odds and house edge
On a European wheel, every bet has the same house edge of 2.70%, because the zero is the one pocket that does not pay on most bets. On an American wheel, the extra double zero pushes the house edge to 5.26% – almost double.
Types of online roulette
- European roulette – single zero, 2.70% house edge. The best standard choice.
- French roulette – single zero, often with La Partage (half your even-money stake back if zero lands) or En Prison rules, reducing the edge on those bets to 1.35%.
- American roulette – double zero, 5.26% house edge. Best avoided.
- Live roulette – a real wheel and dealer streamed to your device. Speed, multiplier and immersive versions are popular.
- Multi-wheel and mini roulette – variations with different wheels or fewer numbers; check the house edge first.
Live roulette
Live roulette gives you the atmosphere of a real casino table from home. Studios from providers such as Evolution and Playtech stream games around the clock, with versions from standard European tables to multiplier games. Read our live casino guide.
Roulette strategy: do systems work?
No. Systems such as the Martingale (doubling your stake after each loss), Fibonacci or D'Alembert change how wins and losses are spread, but they cannot change the house edge. The Martingale in particular can escalate stakes very quickly and hit table limits. The only "strategy" that improves your odds is choosing a single-zero wheel.
Roulette tips
- Play European or French roulette rather than American.
- Use La Partage tables for even-money bets.
- Set a session budget before you start.
- Treat roulette as entertainment – each spin is independent of the last.
The roulette wheel explained
A European roulette wheel has 37 numbered pockets alternating red and black, plus a single green zero. The numbers are not in order around the wheel – they are arranged so that high and low, odd and even, and red and black numbers are spread as evenly as possible. An American wheel adds a second green pocket, the double zero.
Free roulette and demo play
Many casinos offer RNG roulette in demo mode once you have verified your age, which is a good way to learn the bets before playing for real. Live roulette is played for real money only.
Where to play online roulette in the UK
All five casinos we review offer RNG and live roulette, including European and French tables. Compare them on our best online casinos page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best roulette game to play online?
French roulette with La Partage, or European roulette, because the single zero gives the lowest house edge.
What are the odds of winning at roulette?
On a European wheel, a straight-up bet has a 2.7% chance and an even-money bet such as red or black has a 48.6% chance.
Is online roulette fair?
Yes. RNG roulette at UK-licensed casinos is independently tested, and live roulette uses a real wheel.
Does the Martingale system work?
No. It cannot overcome the house edge and can lead to very large stakes after a losing run.
What is La Partage?
A French roulette rule that returns half your even-money stake if the ball lands on zero, cutting the house edge on those bets to 1.35%.
Can I play roulette for free?
Yes. Many UK casinos offer free roulette in demo mode once you have verified your age.
Where can I play live roulette in the UK?
All the casinos we review offer live roulette, streamed from studios run by providers such as Evolution and Playtech.