Roulette Basics: How the Game Works
Roulette is played on a wheel containing numbered pockets from 0 to 36 (European) or 00 to 36 (American). A croupier spins the wheel and releases a small ball in the opposite direction — players bet on where the ball will land. Bets can be placed on individual numbers, groups of numbers, colours, or ranges.
European vs American Roulette: Why It Matters
This is the single most important roulette decision you'll make. European Roulette has 37 pockets (0-36), giving a house edge of 2.70%. American Roulette has 38 pockets (0, 00, and 1-36), giving a house edge of 5.26%.
Always choose European Roulette when available. The double-zero in American Roulette nearly doubles the casino's advantage with no corresponding benefit to the player.
Roulette Bet Types
Inside Bets (Higher Risk, Higher Reward)
- Straight Up: Bet on a single number — pays 35:1
- Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers — pays 17:1
- Street: Bet on three numbers in a row — pays 11:1
- Corner: Bet on four numbers forming a square — pays 8:1
- Six Line: Bet on six numbers across two rows — pays 5:1
Outside Bets (Lower Risk, Lower Reward)
- Red/Black: Even money (1:1)
- Odd/Even: Even money (1:1)
- 1-18 / 19-36: Even money (1:1)
- Dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36): Pays 2:1
- Columns: Pays 2:1
Note: In European Roulette, a zero result means all even-money outside bets lose, which is the source of the house edge.
Lightning Roulette at SBINGO9
Lightning Roulette is Evolution Gaming's flagship live roulette variant and one of the most popular tables at SBINGO9. Before each spin, 1-5 random Lucky Numbers are struck by lightning, awarding multiplied payouts of 50x to 500x on straight-up bets on those numbers. The base straight-up payout is reduced to 29:1, but the potential for massive multiplied wins makes it incredibly popular.
Common Roulette Myths
- Hot/Cold numbers myth: Each spin of a roulette wheel is independent. A number that has appeared frequently has no increased probability of appearing again — and vice versa.
- The Martingale system: Doubling your bet after every loss is mathematically sound in theory but practically dangerous. Table limits and bankroll constraints mean it consistently fails over extended sessions.
Best Strategy: Play Smart
Roulette is a game of chance. There is no strategy that changes the house edge. The best approach is to choose European Roulette, set a session budget, and enjoy outside bets for extended play or inside bets for higher-risk entertainment. Never chase losses — the house edge will always prevail over enough spins.
