Roulette Guide: Rules, Odds, Wheels and Systems
Roulette is a game of fixed odds and no decisions after the spin. Your long-run cost is set by two choices: the wheel and the bet. On a single-zero European wheel every standard bet has a 2.70% house edge; on a double-zero American wheel it is 5.26%; and on a French table with La Partage, even-money bets cost 1.35%. Stake size and session length decide how much that edge costs you in dollars. This section covers the rules, the exact odds, each wheel type, live and multiplier formats, and the betting systems players ask about. It is part of our casino game guides.
Roulette in Numbers
| Fact | European | American |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (0–36) | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) |
| House edge, standard bets | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Straight-up payout and probability | 35:1, 2.70% | 35:1, 2.63% |
| Even-money win chance | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Lowest-edge bet | Even-money with La Partage: 1.35% | Even-money with Surrender (where offered): 2.63% |
| Highest-edge bet | All standard bets 2.70% | Five-number bet: 7.89% |
| Expected loss on A$10 × 300 spins | A$81 | A$158 |
Where to Play Roulette Online
The casinos below accept Australian players and, according to our reviews, run live casino sections with tables from studios such as Evolution, Pragmatic Play Live or Ezugi, alongside RNG roulette. Look for single-zero and French tables in the lobby, and check the stated RTP (97.30% for European bets, 98.65% for even-money bets with La Partage).
A broader comparison is on our roulette sites list. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 it is illegal to offer real-money online casino games to people in Australia, so these are offshore operators; see is online gambling legal in Australia.
Rules and Odds
- Roulette rules — the wheel, the layout, how a round works and every standard bet with its payout.
- Odds and payouts — full probability, true-odds and house-edge tables for single- and double-zero wheels, with A$ costs.
- Inside and outside bets — hit rates, volatility and dry spells for every bet type, and how to mix them.
Wheels and Table Rules
- European vs American roulette — what the double zero costs per session and in the chance of finishing ahead.
- French roulette — French table terms, the Voisins, Tiers, Orphelins and Jeu Zéro call bets, and La Partage.
- La Partage and En Prison — how the zero rules work and the maths behind the 1.35% edge on even-money bets.
Live and Multiplier Roulette
- Live roulette — standard, auto, speed and French live tables, their pace, limits and hourly cost.
- Lightning Roulette — 29:1 straight-ups, 50x–500x multipliers and what the changed payouts mean for variance.
Systems and Mistakes
- Roulette strategies — Martingale, Paroli, D’Alembert, Fibonacci, Labouchère and James Bond, each checked against the maths.
- The Martingale — the stake table, the chance of hitting the table limit and why the edge stays 2.70%.
- Common roulette mistakes — ten errors from double-zero wheels to chasing losses, with the A$ cost of each.
Four Choices That Set Your Cost
- Single zero over double zero. Same payouts, almost half the edge: 2.70% vs 5.26%.
- La Partage for even-money bets. French tables cut red/black, odd/even and high/low to 1.35%.
- Skip the five-number bet. On American tables, 0-00-1-2-3 at 6:1 costs 7.89%.
- Control spins per hour. Expected loss is stake × spins × edge. A standard live table at an assumed 40 spins per hour costs A$10.80 at A$10 a spin; RNG play at 200 spins costs A$54.
No system changes these figures. Every combination of standard bets on a single-zero wheel returns 97.30% of the amount staked over time. Systems such as the Martingale only change the pattern of wins and losses, as shown in our betting systems analysis.
Roulette Myths in Brief
- “Numbers are due.” Each spin is independent; a number absent for 100 spins still has a 1/37 chance. See gambler’s fallacy.
- “Online wheels are rigged to avoid big bets.” Licensed RNGs and studio wheels produce results independent of bets. Choose a casino with a verifiable licence (how to check a licence).
- “Covering more numbers lowers the risk of losing money.” It raises the hit rate but lowers the payout per win; the edge stays the same.
Bonuses and Roulette
Most casino bonuses count roulette at 0%–10% towards wagering, and many prohibit even-money coverage patterns while bonus funds are active. Read game weighting and the max bet rule before playing with a bonus.
Related Game Guides
For lower-edge table games, compare blackjack (about 0.4%–0.6% with basic strategy) and baccarat (1.06% on Banker). Live game shows built on wheels are covered in the live casino guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
2.70% on a single-zero European wheel, 5.26% on a double-zero American wheel, and 1.35% on even-money bets at French tables with La Partage.
Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) on a table with La Partage or En Prison, at about 1.35%.
No. Betting systems change stake sizes, not probabilities. Over time the loss equals the house edge times the total staked.
Live roulette uses a physical wheel with sensor-read results, run by licensed studios. The bigger risk is the operator, so check a casino’s licence and record before depositing.
Offering real-money online casino games, including roulette, to people in Australia is prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Offshore casinos accept Australians but are not licensed here.
18+ only. Free and confidential help is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.