Roulette is the most recognisable casino game in the world. Your choice of variant alone can halve or double the house edge — from 1.35% on French roulette to 5.26% on American. This guide breaks down every variant, every bet type, every betting system, and which casinos offer the best roulette experience online.
The variant you choose is the single most important decision in roulette. Here is how the three main types compare:
The gold standard. One zero pocket gives the lowest house edge of any standard roulette game. This should always be your default choice.
Identical layout to European but with La Partage and En Prison rules. When the ball lands on zero, even-money bets lose only half (La Partage) or are held for the next spin (En Prison). This halves the house edge to 1.35%.
Two zero pockets nearly double the house edge compared to European. The payouts remain the same, so there is no mathematical reason to play American roulette.
Every roulette bet has a fixed payout and probability. Here are the complete odds for both European (37 numbers) and American (38 numbers) roulette.
| Bet | Description | Payout | European | American |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Single number | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Corner | Four numbers in a square | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Six Line | Six numbers (two rows) | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Bet | Description | Payout | European | American |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red/Black | Colour bet | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd/Even | Number parity | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High/Low | 1-18 or 19-36 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Dozens | 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Columns | 12 numbers in a column | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
Betting systems are popular among roulette players. While none can overcome the house edge, understanding them helps you make informed decisions. Here is our honest analysis:
How it works: Double your bet after every loss. Return to the base bet after a win. Theoretically recovers all losses plus one unit of profit.
Our verdict: The most popular system but mathematically flawed. A long losing streak will hit the table limit or exhaust your bankroll. The house edge remains unchanged at 2.7%.
How it works: Follow the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13...) for bet sizing. Move one step forward after a loss, two steps back after a win.
Our verdict: Slower loss recovery than Martingale but still vulnerable to long losing streaks. Does not change the house edge.
How it works: Increase your bet by one unit after a loss, decrease by one unit after a win. More conservative than Martingale.
Our verdict: Gentler progression means slower bankroll depletion, but still does not overcome the house edge. Better for entertainment purposes.
How it works: Double your bet after a win, reset after three consecutive wins or any loss. Aims to capitalise on winning streaks.
Our verdict: The most conservative system. Limits downside while allowing upside from streaks. Still does not change the mathematics, but manages bankroll well.
How it works: Spread bets to cover over two-thirds of the table: $14 on high (19-36), $5 on six line (13-18), $1 on zero. Based on a $20 unit.
Our verdict: Covers 25 of 37 numbers for a 67.6% win rate per spin. However, uncovered numbers (1-12) cause a large loss. Net expectation remains negative.
No betting system can change the mathematical house edge. The house edge is determined by the game rules (number of zeros), not by your betting pattern. Systems can make the game more structured and entertaining, but they are not profit strategies.
We prioritised casinos offering European and French roulette with fair limits, strong live dealer sections, and competitive bonuses:
