How to Play Roulette: Tips and Strategies

Roulette is really not a difficult game to play. Now, let’s talk about some of the steps and roulette strategies on how to play roulette. We will break it down for you so you can understand how the game precisely works and get the most from your playing time.

  • Understanding the rules of chosen roulette- As we have already mentioned there are many types of roulette, French, European, American, etc. While the main concept of the game remains the same, still there might be little differences, for example in French roulette two additional rules appear, the La Partage Rule and the En prison. So getting to know the rules is mandatory.
  • Now, the betting process begins. In some roulettes, betting time is limited, so you need to be quick. The betting options are quite a lot, there are two main types of bets: inside bets and outside bets. While inside bets are harder to predict they offer higher payouts and vice versa, the outside bets offer lower but frequent wins.

Inside Bets

  • Straight Up – Betting on a single number (Payout: 35 to 1)
  • Split – Betting on two adjacent numbers (Payout: 17 to 1)
  • Street – Betting on three numbers in a row (Payout: 11 to 1)
  • Corner – Betting on four numbers that form a square (Payout: 8 to 1)
  • First Four (0,1,2,3) – Betting on these four numbers (Payout: 8 to 1)
  • Six Line – Betting on six numbers (Payout: 5 to 1)

Outside Bets

  • Dozen – Betting on 12 numbers (Payout: 2 to 1)
  • Column – Betting on 12 numbers in a column (Payout: 2 to 1)
  • Low (1-18) or High (19-36) – Betting on these ranges (Payout: 1 to 1)
  • Red or Black – Betting on the color of the winning number (Payout: 1 to 1
  • Odd or Even – Betting on the number being odd or even (Payout: 1 to 1)

After you have placed your bet, now you can sit back and wait for the outcome the reward is based on the payouts given above.

If the ball lands on a number or color you’ve predicted, you’ll win the payout based on your bet. The excitement comes from that moment when the ball finally settles, and if you’ve chosen correctly, the reward is yours.

Strategies

There are many strategies that may help you to increase the winning. But before we get to the best roulette strategies, we recommend you start betting with outside bets. These bets generally are safer and reduce the chances of losing. Your outcomes will be low but consistent. Then you can gradually start betting  inside bets. Now let’s discuss the strategies that advanced players use.

European roulette betting strategy

European roulette has 37 numbers: 1–36 plus 0. Numbers are red or black; 0 is green. The table has columns and sections for different bets.

You can bet on single numbers or groups:

  • Red/Black, Even/Odd, 1–18/19–36 (pay 1:1)

  • Dozens and Columns (pay 2:1)

  • Inside bets like Straight Up, Split, Street, Corner, Line cover 1–6 numbers with higher payouts.

Zero causes all bets except direct bets on 0 to lose. The house edge is 2.7%.

American roulette rules - one of the best strategies

The American roulette wheel has 38 numbers: 1–36, plus 0 and 00, which are neither red nor black. The table layout differs from European roulette. You can bet on any number, including 0 or 00, by placing chips directly on it. The house edge is about 5.26%.

There are several bet types:

  • Straight Up: single number

  • Split: two adjacent numbers

  • Street: three numbers in a row

  • Corner: four numbers meeting at a corner

  • Five Bet: 0, 00, 1, 2, 3

  • Line Bet: six numbers from two rows

  • Column and Dozen bets: cover 12 numbers, pay 2:1

  • Red/Black, Even/Odd, Low/High: cover 18 numbers, pay even money

Zero and double zero cause all outside bets (like columns, dozens, red/black) to lose.

Maximum bets for each type are multiples of the Straight Up limit.

James Bond Roulette Strategy in a Nutshell

James Bond is a famous fictional spy created by British author Ian Fleming. In many of his stories, Bond visits glamorous casinos, so it’s fitting that there’s a roulette strategy named after him—even though he’s not shown using it in the films.

Roulette is a game of chance where players can place many different types of bets. The James Bond Roulette Strategy is one of them. It’s known for using a combination of three bets to cover more than half the numbers on the wheel.

How the Strategy Works

A common version of this strategy uses a total bet of $200, split like this:

  • $140 on high numbers (19–36)

  • $50 on a six-line bet (numbers 13–18)

  • $10 on zero (0)

This setup covers 25 out of 37 numbers on a European roulette wheel, giving players a higher chance of hitting something.

Many people believe that covering more numbers means less chance of losing—but that’s only part of the story. What really matters is the expected value, or average profit over time. Even with smart-looking bets, the house still has an edge, and the casino always wins in the long run.

So, while this strategy may help you win small amounts more often, it doesn’t guarantee profit and doesn’t avoid risk. Like any roulette system, it can still lead to losses, especially if the ball lands on uncovered numbers like 1–12.

Martingale: One of the Oldest Roulette Strategies

The Martingale strategy doubles your bet after every loss. The idea is that a win will recover all previous losses and give a small profit. The betting sequence goes like this: 1, 2, 4, 8, and so on. After a win, you go back to the initial bet.

Example:

BetResultBalance
1 on blackRed99
2 on blackRed97
4 on blackRed93
8 on blackBlack101
1 on blackRed100
2 on blackBlack102

Warning:
Martingale seems simple, but it’s risky. Long losing streaks happen—sometimes the same color appears 13 times in a row. This can wipe out your balance quickly. I don’t recommend using it in online casinos.

Try out Roulette Strategies

Before risking real money at the roulette table, it’s essential to test your strategies in our free simulators. They offer a safe, risk-free environment where you can experiment with different betting methods, track your progress, and refine your approach. Practicing first helps you build confidence, understand what works best for you, and avoid costly mistakes. Once you’re comfortable, you can transition to real bets starting with safer outside bets and gradually moving to more advanced techniques as your skills improve.