What Is Roulette? A Complete Guide to This Classic Casino Game

One of the most famous games in the casino industry is roulette. The spinning wheel and bouncing ball are tempting, whether you're playing online or in a five-star resort.

You can learn more about roulette's definition, history, types, gameplay, and the most popular variant in Asia with the guidance of this tutorial.

The History of Roulette

The French word "roulette," which translates to "little wheel," Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician who discovered the game while working on a perpetual motion machine in the 17th century, is often given credit for its creation.

It became a popular attraction in French casinos throughout the 18th century and expanded across Europe and America. There are currently three primary variations of roulette: French, American, and European.

How Roulette Works

Roulette is simple and easy to play:

1. A little ball is released when the dealer (or system) rotates the wheel.

2. Players bet where they believe the ball will land before it stops.

3. According to the payout odds, you win if the ball lands in the spot you have bet on.

   
   

Players can choose high-risk bets with big payouts or safer bets with better odds, depending on their style.

Common Betting Types

Bet Type	Example	Payout
Straight Up	Bet on 7	35:1
Red / Black	Bet on color	1:1
Odd / Even	Bet on a number type	1:1
High / Low	Bet on 1–18 or 19–36	1:1
Column / Dozen	Bet on groups	2:1
Split / Corner	Bet on 2–4 numbers	17:1 / 8:1

Online casinos often offer fast bets and repeat bet buttons to speed up the action.

3 Types of Roulette: European, American, French

Roulette is played differently in different places. The table below is a summary:

Type	Features	House Edge	Why Play It
European	One single 0, a total of 37 pockets	~2.7%	Lower house edge, higher RTP
American	Includes both 0 and 00, 38 pockets total	~5.26%	Higher risk, faster pace
French	One 0 + special rules (e.g. En Prison and La Partage)	As low as 1.35%	Best for players, but rare

Special rules of French Roulette: 

La Partage: If the ball lands on 0, players lose only half of their even-money bets.

En Prison: Even-money bets stay “in prison” for the next spin if 0 hits — you get a second chance.

Which Version Is Popular in Asia?

In Asian land-based and online casinos, European roulette continues to be quite the most popular variation.

Whether you're playing on a platform like Winbox or visiting casinos in Genting, Macau, or Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, you're likely playing European roulette.

Why do Asian casinos prefer European roulette?

✅ Only one zero means better odds for players The single-zero version of American roulette has a higher winning probability than the double-zero version.

✅ Clear layout, easier for beginners The betting table is straightforward and less confusing.

✅ Used in most live dealer games Most live roulette streams (from studios in the Philippines, Cambodia, etc.) use the European version.

✅ Consistent experience online and offline If you learn European roulette, you can play seamlessly in both environments.

Note: Because of its more complicated layout and French-style terminologies, French roulette is rarely found in Asian casinos, but it uses a single zero and has player-friendly regulations (like La Partage).

Want Better Odds? Try These Strategies

Roulette is a game of chance, but some strategies can help with money management:

1. Martingale Double your bet after each loss until you win (requires a big bankroll).

2. Reverse Martingale Increase bets when winning, but one loss wipes out progress.

3. Flat Betting Keep your bet size to reduce risk—great for casual play.

   
   

Reminder: Nothing ensures success. Play roulette for enjoyment because it's still random.

Why Is Roulette a Great Game to Play at Night?

• Play on mobile, tablet, or desktop

• The immersive sound of the spinning wheel

• Live dealers add a human touch

• Relaxing pace, no need to overthink

  
  

Many players log on to Winbox to relax and unwind with some late-night roulette.

Choosing Where to Play: What Matters?

To enjoy roulette fully, choose a platform that offers:

✅ European roulette as the default

✅ Smooth live dealer support

✅ Local payment options (like DuitNow, Touch ’n Go, Maybank online transfer)

✅ Bonuses, loyalty rewards, and regular events

Winbox has a reliable system, secure payments, and an excellent user experience. To keep things interesting, you'll also find daily promos and exclusive VIP benefits.

Summary

Roulette has simple rules, is easy to learn, is fun, and has just the right amount of luck and excitement. If you know how European roulette works, you can enjoy the game confidently at physical casinos, or you prefer online platforms like Winbox.

So, if you want to relax tonight, go sign up account and log in Winbox to try your luck at roulette; you might find your lucky number.