One zero or two
A European wheel has 37 pockets: 1 to 36 plus a single zero. An American wheel has 38, adding a double zero. Standard payouts are the same on both, so the extra pocket adds to the house edge. The help panel shows what your table pays.
Wheel types, commonly quoted edge with standard payouts
| Wheel | Pockets | House edge on most bets |
|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | About 2.7% |
| American | 38 | About 5.26% |
Some tables add rules that lower the edge on even-money bets when zero lands, often called La Partage or En Prison. If a table has one, its help panel says so.
Bet types and payouts
Standard roulette bets and typical payouts
| Bet | Covers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | One number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | Two numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street | Three numbers | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | Four numbers | 8 to 1 |
| Six line | Six numbers | 5 to 1 |
| Dozen or column | Twelve numbers | 2 to 1 |
| Red or black, odd or even, high or low | Eighteen numbers | 1 to 1 |
With those standard payouts on a European wheel, every bet carries roughly the same edge, usually quoted at about 2.7%. Variants pay differently, so check the help panel. Choosing outside bets doesn't make roulette cheaper. It only makes results less swingy.
A worked example
Invented numbers. You bet 10 on red, 100 times, on a European wheel. Your expected cost is about 27 (100 bets of 10, times the quoted 2.7%). After 100 spins you could be well up or down; over thousands, results drift towards the edge. Betting straight up on one number has the same expected cost but much bigger swings: you'll lose most spins and occasionally win 35 times your bet.
Betting systems
Martingale (doubling after a loss), d'Alembert, Fibonacci and the rest change how much you bet, not what each bet costs. Doubling after a loss feels safe until a losing streak hits your budget or the table maximum, and long streaks of one color happen more often than people expect. None of these is a way to win.
Variants
Common live roulette variants
| Variant | What changes |
|---|---|
| Auto roulette | A real wheel with no dealer, so rounds are usually faster |
| Speed roulette | Shorter betting windows |
| Lightning Roulette | Random multipliers on straight-up bets, with changed payouts (see its help panel) |
| Dual-zero tables | American rules, higher edge |
Faster variants mean more spins, more wagered and a higher cost per hour.
Join a roulette table
- Pick a European table if one's available.
- Read the help panel for limits and any special rules.
- Place chips during the betting window.
- Watch the result and the payout.
- Keep a fixed stake rather than chasing losses.
Reading the history board
Tables show recent results. They're history, not a forecast. The wheel has no memory, so a run of reds doesn't make black more likely.
Who roulette suits
Players who want a simple, social game with no decisions after the bet. If you want choices that matter, try live blackjack. For another no-decision game with a lower edge on one bet, see live baccarat.
The physical layout of a wheel
The numbers on a wheel aren't in order. Reds and blacks alternate, and the sequence spreads high, low, odd and even numbers around the rim. Some players bet on sections of the wheel, such as "neighbours" of a number, through a racetrack layout. These are just groups of straight-up or split bets, and they carry the same edge as everything else. The help panel shows how each call bet is placed.
How a live round runs
The betting window opens and a timer counts down. When it closes, the dealer spins the wheel and launches the ball. The result appears on screen and winning bets are paid. If your connection drops, the table's rules in the help panel decide what happens to your bet, so check the table history when you're back. Before betting closes, wait for the on-screen confirmation that your bet went through.
Sizing your bets
Invented numbers. With a session budget of 100 and a 2 chip on even-money bets, you have room for a long session, because even-money bets win a little under half the time on a European wheel. The same 100 spread across straight-up bets at 2 a spin could run out quickly, because most of those bets lose. Neither choice changes the average cost, but the second is far more likely to end the session early.
Responsible play
Roulette's quick rhythm and the near misses on the board can pull you into chasing. Gambling can be addictive, so set a deposit limit and a stop time before you sit down. Our live dealer tips help keep sessions under control. 18+ only, or the higher legal age in your country. Stake.com isn't open in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ontario or the other countries on Stake's prohibited list, which changes from time to time; see our availability page. Using a VPN to get around a block breaks Stake's terms.
FAQ
Is there a winning roulette system?
No. The edge applies to every spin, whatever your betting pattern.
Is auto roulette different?
Usually it's a real wheel without a dealer, with faster rounds. Check its help panel for the rules.
Which wheel should I pick?
European, if it's available.
Are outside bets better value?
On a European wheel, they carry the same edge as inside bets. They're just less swingy.
Can I see past results?
Yes, on the history board. They don't predict the next spin.