How roulette works
- Players place chips on the table layout — numbers, groups or outside bets.
- The dealer (or the RNG online) spins the wheel and launches the ball.
- Betting closes shortly before the ball slows down.
- The ball lands in a pocket; winning bets are paid, losing chips are collected.
The single zero is what gives the house its advantage: when it comes up, all outside bets lose (or lose half in French roulette with La Partage).
The roulette wheel
A European roulette wheel has 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 alternate red and black, and 0 is green. The numbers are not in order — they are arranged so that high, low, red, black, odd and even are spread around the wheel. The European order starts 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34… The American wheel has 38 pockets, with 0 and 00 opposite each other.
| Version | Pockets | Zeros | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | 0 | 2.70% |
| French | 37 | 0, La Partage / En Prison | 1.35% on even-money bets |
| American | 38 | 0 and 00 | 5.26% (7.89% on the five-number bet) |
Simple rule: always choose European or French roulette over American roulette. The game is the same, but you lose about half as much per bet.
Roulette bets
Inside bets are placed on numbers inside the grid: straight (one number), split (two), street (three), corner (four) and six line (six). Outside bets cover large groups: red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36, dozens and columns. The full list with payouts and probabilities is on the roulette payout and odds page.
| Bet | Covers | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | 1 number | 35:1 |
| Dozen / column | 12 numbers | 2:1 |
| Red / black | 18 numbers | 1:1 |
Free roulette and roulette simulators
Free roulette games let you spin the roulette wheel with virtual chips. They are useful for learning the table layout, testing how a betting system behaves over hundreds of spins and choosing a variant. A roulette simulator shows clearly that no system changes the house edge: after enough spins the balance drifts down by about 2.7% of all bets in European roulette.
Online roulette: RNG and live dealers
| Format | How it works | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| RNG roulette | Animated wheel, result by random generator | Fast, any time |
| Live roulette | Real dealer and wheel on camera | About 40–60 spins per hour |
| Lightning / multiplier roulette | Random numbers get boosted payouts | Live, lower base payouts |
| Auto roulette | Real wheel spun by a machine | Very fast |
On Mostbet the live casino has European, French, American and multiplier tables from studios such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play Live. Check the minimum and maximum bets on each table before you sit down.
Roulette strategy systems
| System | How it works | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Martingale | Double the even-money bet after every loss | A losing streak hits the table limit |
| Reverse Martingale (Paroli) | Double after a win, reset after three wins | Small losses, rare big runs |
| D'Alembert | +1 unit after a loss, −1 after a win | Slow, still negative |
| Fibonacci | Bet follows 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… | Grows fast in long streaks |
| James Bond | Spreads chips on high, six line and zero | Loses on 1–12 numbers |
All of them change how wins and losses are grouped, not the expected result. The only real choices that matter are the variant (European/French), the bet types and how much you stake.
How to play roulette online: practical tips
- Choose a single-zero table; with La Partage even-money bets cost half as much.
- Decide on a session budget and a fixed unit before the first spin.
- Outside bets give frequent small wins; straight-up bets are rarer but pay 35:1.
- Ignore “hot numbers” displays — previous spins do not influence the next one.
- Do not use progression systems close to the table maximum.
Roulette variants compared
Online casinos offer far more than the classic wheel. The basic rules stay the same — pick a number or group of numbers and wait for the ball — but the extras change the payouts and the house edge.
| Variant | Pockets | House edge | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 37 (single zero) | 2.70% | The standard choice |
| French roulette | 37 | 1.35% on even-money bets | La Partage / En Prison rule |
| American roulette | 38 (0 and 00) | 5.26% | Extra double zero |
| Lightning / multiplier roulette | 37 | ≈ 2.9–3% | Random multipliers on straight-up numbers |
| Auto roulette | 37 | 2.70% | Fast rounds, no dealer talk |
If the casino offers French roulette, it is the cheapest option for red/black and other even-money bets. Avoid the American wheel when a single-zero table is available.
Mostbet roulette and the welcome bonus
Roulette usually counts only partly or not at all towards wagering of casino bonuses. If you want to play mainly table games, read the rules of the welcome offer with code NEW3000 first on the promo code page. For other table games, see our guides to blackjack and baccarat.
FAQ
How many numbers are on a roulette wheel?
A European wheel has 37 numbers (0–36). An American wheel has 38 because it adds 00.
Which roulette has the best odds?
French roulette with La Partage, then European roulette. American roulette has almost double the house edge.
Is there a roulette strategy that always wins?
No. Betting systems change the pattern of results but not the house edge.
Can I play roulette for free?
Yes, many RNG roulette games have a demo mode with virtual chips.
18+Play responsibly
Casino games and betting are entertainment, not a way to earn money. Every game has a built-in house edge, and gambling can become addictive.
Set deposit, loss and session limits in your account before you play, never chase losses and take breaks. If gambling stops being fun, use self-exclusion and contact a support service such as BeGambleAware or Gamblers Anonymous.
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