Roulette has been a fixture in both land-based and online casinos for centuries, known for its spinning wheel and numbered pockets.
Many people are curious about whether it is possible to beat the game, or if the odds are fixed in favour of the casino.
This article explains how the game works, what the “house edge” means, and how different versions of roulette compare. You’ll also learn about some common betting approaches and why results remain unpredictable. By the end, you will have a clearer understanding of how roulette outcomes are decided and what that means for your chances.
Roulette is a game of chance played on a wheel marked with numbered pockets. The numbers range from 1 to 36 and are coloured either red or black. There is also a green pocket marked “0” in European roulette.
To play, you place a bet on where you think the ball will land once the wheel stops spinning. Bets can be placed on a single number, a group of numbers, a colour, odd or even numbers, or other combinations shown on the betting table.
The house edge is the built-in statistical advantage the casino has. It exists because potential payouts are based on odds that are slightly lower than the true probability of winning.
For example, a successful straight-up bet on a single number in European roulette pays 35 to 1, but your actual chance of winning is 1 in 37, or about 2.70%. This small gap is where the casino gains its profit over time.
There are several types of roulette, but the two most common are European and American.
European roulette has 37 pockets – numbers 1 to 36 plus a single zero. The house edge for this version is 2.70%, meaning that for every £100 wagered, the casino expects to keep around £2.70 in the long run.
American roulette has an extra green pocket marked “00”, making 38 pockets in total. This increases the house edge to 5.26%, almost doubling the casino’s advantage compared to the European version.
This is why many UK players prefer European roulette, as it offers a potentially better statistical return.
French roulette, a variant sometimes found in UK casinos, follows the European layout, but can offer additional rules such as “La Partage”, which can reduce the house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%.
The size of your wager does not change the house edge. Whether you place a large bet or a small one, the underlying probability of each outcome remains the same.
For example, betting £1 or £5 on a single number still gives you the same 1 in 37 chance of winning in European roulette.
Some players may use betting systems, such as the Martingale, where they double their stake after each loss, or the Fibonacci sequence, which follows a specific pattern of increasing bets.
While these systems change the way you manage your stakes, they do not improve your odds of winning. Each spin is independent, so the probability is reset every time.
Roulette outcomes are not influenced by previous results. Even if red has appeared several times in a row, the next spin is still just as likely to be red or black as before. This is because each spin is independent of the last, and the wheel or Random Number Generator (RNG) does not “remember” what happened previously.
In digital roulette, outcomes are generated by RNGs. These are tested by independent agencies to ensure results are fair and unpredictable.
In live roulette, the result is determined by the physical spin of the wheel and the ball, but the same principle applies – previous results do not affect future spins. Any patterns you might notice are purely coincidental and have no bearing on the next outcome.
In roulette, some players do win – sometimes even several times in a row – but many also lose. This is because roulette is a random game of chance, and each spin is independent of the last.
While you might have sessions where you come out ahead, the house edge means the casino has a built-in advantage over the long term, whether you play in person, live online, or on a digital table.
Different versions of roulette offer different odds. European roulette, for example, has a lower house edge than American, and French roulette with “La Partage” can reduce it further on certain bets.
Checking the game’s rules and layout before playing can help you better understand your chances. Playing responsibly means setting limits, being aware of the potential outcomes, and accepting that there is no system that guarantees wins.
If you’re interested in trying a range of real money casino games, Mr Luck is an online casino and sportsbook regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
You’ll find plenty of options, including popular roulette tables, classic slots, and live casino games, as well as sports betting covering football, tennis, horse racing, and more.
To get started, simply log in or become a member of Mr Luck to browse the game selection, discover roulette games to suit your taste, or explore something new at your leisure.
Remember to play responsibly and only use money you’ve set aside for entertainment. If gambling ever feels less enjoyable, support is always available in the UK.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.