Roulette rules simply explained -
with these tips the game works out
16.11.2022
P. Schneider - Manager Table games, 20 years of casino experience
Roulette is the all-time classic online casino game. In roulette, unlike in card games such as baccarat or blackjack, once the chips are placed, the player no longer has any control over the outcome of the coup. So, when you’re learning the roulette rules, there’s no strategy to remember.
How is the roulette table set up?
In the roulette wheel or roulette cylinder, there are 37 or 38 numbered pockets (zero and double zero). The croupier spins this roulette wheel and throws a small ball from the edge into the cylinder. After a few spins, the ball comes to rest in one of the numbered pockets. The number above this pocket is the winning number. The bets are placed on a cloth on the layout. According to the usual roulette rules, the croupier then pays out the winnings.
A classic roulette table
Are there minimum stakes?
Yes, there are minimum stakes in roulette. In most casinos the minimum bet is CHF 1.-. There are also some casinos that have no minimum bet at all. If you play online, you can find out what the minimum bet is on a particular day on your casino's website or app.
What are the rules of roulette?
The rules of roulette are simple:
- players choose the numbers they want to bet on by placing chips on those numbers.
- a croupier circles a ball around a spinning wheel and then throws it into one of the 37 numbered squares (0-36).
- the winning number is determined by where the ball lands after spinning in random directions for several seconds.
What are the betting options and the payout ratios?
- Outside bets: the roulette cylinder contains the numbers 1 to 36, which can be divided into two groups of 18 numbers in three different ways: red and black, Manque (1 to 18) and Passe (19 to 36) and Pair (even) and Impair (odd). The payout ratio for these bets is 1:1. According to the roulette rules, players may also place multiple outside bets.
- Dozens and columns: these betting options have a payout ratio of 2:1
- Transversale Simple (Six-line bet): Players can use one chip to bet on two neighbouring lines of three numbers on the layout. This bet has a payout ratio of 5: 1
- Transversale Pleine (Street bet): a row of three numbers on the layout. This bet has a payout ratio of 11: 1
- Carré (Corner bet): a row of four numbers on the layout. This bet has a payout ratio of 8: 1
- Cheval (Split bet): two neighbouring numbers on the layout. This bet has a payout ratio of 17: 1
- Plein (Straight-up bet): a ‘single’ number. The bet on plein is the most lucrative in a winning situation, but at the same time of course also the riskiest.
How the roulette game works
Each game (coup) is a self-contained game in itself. The aim is to guess which number the ball is going to land on and which winning combinations you might get as a result. It is important for players to know the respective table minimum and maximum before the round begins. Unlike the otherwise consistent roulette rules, these limits are defined in-house by the casinos themselves.
Bets must be at least the table minimum and no more than the table maximum. These limits apply to all types of table games and in the live casino.
The croupier opens the game with the words ‘faites vos jeux’, after which the players can place their bets. The croupier then stops the game with the words: ‘rien ne va plus’, meaning ‘no more bets’. According to the roulette rules, chips that are placed on the layout too late must be taken back.
The croupier calls out the winning number (or ‘announces’ it), after which the losing chips are removed. The winning chips remaining on the layout are paid out. For payment information, please see: Roulette rules explained Types of bets and payout ratios.
The dealer places the ball in the roulette wheel
You need to know these roulette terms!
Roulette, like many other casino games, has a croupier who runs the game and oversees the action. With a few commands, he tells the player what to do or not to do next. This ensures that the game runs smoothly and the atmosphere is relaxed.
By the way, you will find dealers not only in stationary casinos, but also in the GOLDEN GRAND live roulette games. The result is an extremely realistic online gaming experience in real time that will make you feel right at home in a real casino.
Faites vos jeux
With the prompt "Faites vos jeux", the dealer asks the player to place a bet. Players place their chips in the tableau themselves or ask the dealer to do so, and name (announce) the number or group of numbers they wish to bet on.
Rien ne va plus
A roulette term you probably know from other casino hits is "Rien ne va plus". It means that no more bets should be placed in the current round. Players can no longer add to their chances of winning and must wait until the round ends.
Tips from our expert:
- Don't bet on red or black - they are only slightly more likely to be picked than other numbers. Instead, bet on specific numbers or groups of numbers.
- Think about what kind of bets you want to place before you sit down at the table. If you are playing with other people and want to split your bets, determine in advance how much everyone will put into each bet so that no one goes away empty-handed when it's time for the payouts!
- Do your research beforehand so you know what bets are available for the different types of games (e.g. American roulette versus European roulette).