How to Read a Roulette Table: A Beginner’s Guide

Few casino games are as iconic as roulette. The spinning wheel, the bouncing ball, the anticipation as it slows — it’s the kind of drama that keeps players coming back for more. But while the game looks simple on the surface, there’s a lot more happening on the table than most beginners realise.

Roulette isn’t just about picking your lucky number. The roulette table layout with its inside bets, outside bets, and different odds plays a huge role in your strategy and potential payouts. Whether you're seated at a live table in Las Vegas or playing on a casino roulette live stream from the comfort of home, knowing how the table works can mean the difference between smart play and random guesses.

In this guide, we’ll break down every part of the roulette table — from bet types to table variations — and help you play smarter on both casinos online and at the best online casino sites offering real-money roulette. Let’s dive in and turn that spin into strategy.

Anatomy of a Roulette Table – What You See

Before placing your first bet, it’s essential to understand the layout of the roulette table. Whether you’re playing casino roulette live at a physical venue or enjoying a spin on a casino game online roulette platform, the setup is nearly identical, with just a few key differences depending on the version you choose.

The Wheel

• European Roulette: 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 + a single zero)

• American Roulette: 38 pockets (adds a double zero “00”)

• Each number alternates between red and black, with zeros in green.
  
  

The Betting Grid

• Located on the table felt.

• Includes all inside numbers (1–36) in rows and columns.

• Surrounding areas allow for outside bets like red/black, even/odd, etc.

Chips & Colors

• Each player gets their chip colour in live games to avoid confusion.

• Online platforms often auto-assign chip values and colours.

Live vs. Online Differences

• Live casino roulette may offer a physical croupier and an immersive setup.

• Online versions are faster, with autoplay and mobile compatibility.

Whether you're on a Vegas floor or browsing top casino sites, the layout always tells you what’s possible — and what’s risky. Understanding it is the first step to making smarter bets.

Inside Bets – Risky but Rewarding

Inside bets are wagers placed directly on specific numbers or small combinations of numbers within the main grid of the roulette table. These bets offer higher payouts, but with lower odds of winning. If you’re playing at casinos online or trying your luck on a casino online roulette game, understanding these bets can help you balance risk and reward.

Common Inside Bets

• Straight Up

• Bet on a single number (e.g., 17)

• Payout: 35 to 1

• Highest risk, highest reward
  
  

• Split

• Bet on two adjacent numbers (e.g., 17 and 20)

• Payout: 17 to 1
  
  

• Street

• Bet on a row of three numbers (e.g., 7, 8, 9)

• Payout: 11 to 1
  
  

• Corner (Square)

• Bet on four numbers that form a square (e.g., 10, 11, 13, 14)

• Payout: 8 to 1
  
  

• Six Line (Double Street)

• Bet on two adjacent rows (six numbers total)

• Payout: 5 to 1

Should You Use Inside Bets?

• Ideal for players seeking big wins in a single spin

• Best used sparingly, especially if you’re learning or playing on a tight bankroll

• Inside bets are popular in both land-based and casino roulette live environments, where risk-takers go all-in on their lucky numbers

They’re exciting and fast-paced, but inside bets are best reserved for confident players who understand the odds.

Outside Bets – Safer, More Consistent Wins

While inside bets aim for big payouts, outside bets are your best friend if you prefer steady, lower-risk play. These bets cover broader sections of the roulette table and offer nearly 50/50 odds in some cases — perfect for beginners or those playing long sessions on a casino roulette game.

Common Outside Bets

• Red or Black

• Bet on the color of the winning number

• Payout: 1 to 1

• Near 50% chance (except for the green 0 or 00)
  
  

• Even or Odd

• Bet on whether the number is even or odd

• Payout: 1 to 1

• Ideal for new players sticking to simple strategies
  
  

• 1 to 18 / 19 to 36

• Bet on the low or high half of the numbers

• Payout: 1 to 1

• Great for bankroll longevity
  
  

• Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36)

• Covers 12 numbers

• Payout: 2 to 1
  
  

• Columns (vertical lines on the board)

• Also covers 12 numbers

• Payout: 2 to 1

Why Choose Outside Bets?

• Lower risk, more frequent wins

• Perfect for new players exploring the casino blog scene or testing strategies on online casinos

If you're playing to enjoy the game and stay in it longer, outside bets offer a smart, steady path, especially at the best online casino platforms.

Special Bets & Call Bets (Advanced Tables)

As you level up your roulette experience, especially on top casino sites or in high-stakes casino roulette live rooms, you may encounter advanced betting options like call bets and French bets. These aren’t found on every table, but they add a strategic twist for serious players.

What Are Call Bets?

• Bets are announced verbally (or selected digitally) rather than placing chips manually.

• Often used in French or European roulette.

• Common in live dealer games, where the croupier handles the chips for you.

Popular Call Bets

• Voisins du Zéro (“Neighbours of Zero”)

• Covers 17 numbers surrounding the zero on the wheel

• High-coverage bet favoured by strategic players
  
  

• Tiers du Cylindre (“Thirds of the Wheel”)

• Covers 12 numbers opposite the zero

• Often placed with 6 chips in split-bet format
  
  

• Orphelins (“Orphans”)

• The remaining 8 numbers not covered by the above two bets

• Riskier, but it offers unique wheel coverage
  
  

• Neighbors Bet

• Choose a number and automatically bet on it, plus 2 neighbours on each side (5 total numbers)

Tip: These bets offer more coverage but require a solid bankroll. They’re great for variety, especially in live casino roulette, but not essential for beginners.

Roulette Betting Tips for Beginners

Starting in roulette? These simple tips can help you build better habits and avoid common beginner mistakes — whether you're at a Vegas table or trying a free roulette game online.

Manage Your Bankroll

• Set a spending limit before you start playing.

• Stick to consistent bet sizes — avoid going "all in" on a single spin.

Don’t Chase Losses

• It’s easy to double bets when you’re behind, but this often leads to bigger losses.

• Focus on playing the odds, not recovering fast.

Practice First

• Many casinos online offer free roulette games so you can learn the table layout, test strategies, and get comfortable before wagering real money.

Avoid the Gambler’s Fallacy

• Just because red came up five times doesn’t mean black is “due.”

• Each spin is independent — the wheel has no memory.

Roulette is a game of chance, but smart play helps stretch your bankroll and increases your chances of winning real money online in the long run.

Play the Table, Not Just the Wheel

Roulette isn’t just about picking a number and hoping for the best — it’s about understanding the table, your bets, and your odds. Knowing the difference between inside and outside bets, recognising the house edge, and using the right strategies can turn a casual spin into a more thoughtful play.

Whether you're visiting a land-based casino or spinning at the best online casino, smart choices lead to better results. Want to learn more and sharpen your strategy? Explore other tips and guides on our casino blog to start playing roulette with confidence.

FAQ

What’s the difference between inside and outside bets?
Inside bets target specific numbers and offer high payouts with lower odds. Outside bets cover larger sections of the board and win more frequently, with lower payouts.

Should I play European or American roulette?
European roulette has a lower house edge (2.7%) due to a single zero. American adds a double zero, increasing the house edge to 5.26%.

Can I play roulette online for free?
Yes! Many casinos online offer demo or free roulette game online versions so you can practice without risk.

Is roulette a game of luck or strategy?
It’s primarily luck-based, but smart bankroll management and knowing the odds can improve your experience and help you avoid costly mistakes.

How do you read a roulette table?
Just look for the numbers (0-36) and the outside bets like red/black, odd/even, and dozens/columns. It's all laid out for easy betting.

Is roulette 100% luck?
Yes, it's all chance. No skill or strategy can change where the ball lands.

How to learn roulette step by step?
Start by knowing the table layout, practice with simple bets and then move on to dozens and single numbers.

What does 12P, 12M, and 12D mean in roulette?
They're dozen bets- 12P IS 1-12 (first dozen), 12M is 13-24 (middle dozen), and 12D is 25-36 (last dozen).