How To Play Roulette At Home

Roulette is magnetic. The rhythmic spin of the wheel, the sharp clatter of the ball, and that delicious moment of silence just before it lands, immediately followed by ear-shattering cheers and a round of high-fives. 

But you don’t need a casino floor or a dealer in a vest to get that same fist-pumping thrill. You can easily play roulette at home with a bit of preparation.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with a checklist of materials, a rundown of the rules, and, most importantly, guidance on the right snacks and drinks (hint: there will be cheese).

Can you play roulette at home?

Absolutely, you can play at-home roulette, and it’s easier than you’d think.

People do it all the time using everything from official roulette sets online to janky DIY wheels they whipped up between episodes of The Bear.

With a wheel, a betting layout, some chips or chip-like objects, and a few friends, you have everything you need for a legit game night.

Quick Roulette Overview

Roulette is one of the most popular table games, mainly because it’s so easy to play and provides a wide range of betting options, but a bit because everyone wants their Danny Ocean moment when they win. It all comes together for a crowd-pleasing game.

Here’s a quick refresher on how to play roulette.

You pick a number or group of numbers, place your bet, spin the wheel, and wait for the ball to land. If it hits your pick, you win. Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom.

For consistent, smaller payouts, focus on even-money bets, like red/black, even/odd, and high/low. For the highest-possible 35:1 payout, bet on a single number (straight-up bet). 

Materials You’ll Need To Play Roulette At Home

If you already have a casino table, green felt, and a tuxedo-clad dealer named Clive, great! Bring them along. But if not, you can still pull off an at-home roulette game. 

These are the materials you need to play roulette at home.

• A roulette wheel (physical or virtual is fine; just make sure it’s fair)
• A roulette layout or betting mat (print one out if you’re super casual)
• Chips or tokens in different colors so players can keep track of their bets
• A ball (tiny and smooth, not something you borrow from the cat)
• A flat surface or table to lay it all out
• Optional accessory for feeling fancy: Dealer stick for sweeping in chips

If you’re thinking, How in the world am I supposed to have this stuff lying around?!, fret not; most people don’t. You can find full kits online for $25-$100ish on the low end for a basic roulette wheel, table, double-sided felt tablecloth, chips, and chip rake.

On the high end, online retailers sell wooden roulette wheels with casino-grade bearings. Very James Bond, and very $300.

Choose Between European and American Roulette Layouts

Before setting up, choose your layout: European roulette has one green 0, while American roulette has both 0 and 00. That tiny difference gives the house a bigger edge in the American version. So, unless you really love double zero, go European (and that’s also true for the wine).

How To Play Roulette At Home With Money

Now, folks, for the main event: how to play roulette at home. Specifically with real money. No Monopoly notes here! (But pretzels are fine; see the next section.)

Start by agreeing on chip values before anyone places a bet. Keep a buy-in system, such as $10 for 100 chips, and have someone act as the dealer/banker. Feel free to rotate and give everyone a chance at being the croupier, as long as they tilt their head, lift one eyebrow, and say it with an exaggerated French accent. That bit’s essential.

Stick to standard payouts (35:1 for straight bets, 1:1 for red/black, etc.), and make sure players understand the odds. A cheat sheet comes in handy for reference.

And before money hits the table, move to the next part below. You’ll want to make sure you’re not unknowingly running a speakeasy casino.

Read Up On Local Laws Before Wagering Real Money

Before your living room turns into a mini-Monte Carlo, check your local laws. Casual roulette among friends is usually fine, especially if the house isn’t taking a cut; however, once real money is involved, the rules become stricter.

Some places allow home games with cash as long as no one profits from hosting. That means there’s no rake or entry fees. You’re not running an underground casino, you’re just trying to win back that $10 your cousin owes you from Thanksgiving.

Generally speaking, keep the game casual and low-stakes, and you’re good. If you’re unsure, do a quick search like “private gambling laws in [your state]”.

How To Play If You And Your Friends Are Broke

If your friend group is still recovering from that short-lived but very expensive candle-making phase, you can still host a roulette night without that cash.

This is how you play roulette at home with your… financially flexible friends.

Instead of cash, you can use poker chips, pennies, or even pieces of paper as stand-ins for money. Everyone gets the same amount to start, and you can keep standard payouts for tradition’s sake.

The winner gets something cool but not financial. That could involve picking the restaurant for the next dinner night, controlling the playlist, or perhaps the loser has to make the next round of drinks (request The Sling – trust us, it’s divine).

Another tip for you and your friends who are currently ballin’ on a budget is to deposit crypto at Cafe Casino. You save big-time on fees, and you don’t have to deal with pesky hold-ups and possible canceled transactions from your bank.

How To Prepare And Host Your Own Roulette Game Night

Hosting a roulette night at home is easy, but hosting a good one takes a little prep. Luckily, it’s nothing you can’t handle between trips to Costco.

First, clear a space for the wheel and layout. A coffee table works as an at-home roulette table, as does a kitchen table or a space on your floor. Set out enough chairs and dim the lights for a suave casino glow.

Print a cheat sheet of bet types and payouts, and agree on your currency. Are you playing with real money, pretzel pieces, or the time-honored prize of bragging rights?

While you have everyone together, now would be a good time to… tell them all about their car’s extended warranty. Just kidding! That comes after dessert.

For now, pass around a sign-up link to Cafe Casino, boasting about our killer Welcome Bonus for first-time depositors. For each roulette guest that signs up, you receive a cash casino referral bonus on the house.

Prepare the Snacks

Finally, the part that makes your event an unforgettable Cafe Casino at-home roulette game: the snacks. The delicious, delectable finger foods that entice your guests to join the party and perhaps inspire an Instagram post or two.

These are the best dishes to feed hungry mouths with at-home roulette:

• Refreshing summer drinks: A minty twist on cucumber water, fruit slushies, fizzy coolers, and more. Feel free to add a splash of vodka… strictly for the flavor, of course.
• French Fry Mozzarella Bites: “Where are the napkins?!” You’ll need them for this greasy, gooey favorite, fried up in under 30 minutes.
• Dice Brownies: These dice-shaped desserts are perfectly on-theme and super easy to whip up.

Other Fun Variations You Can Add

Once the set-up and food are in order, you can get creative. Home roulette means house rules, and that means fun rules.

Try themed rounds. For example, the winner of each spin picks a new betting rule, like “only red bets allowed” or “must spin the wheel using your non-dominant hand.”

Better yet, add a “wild bet” card players draw before spinning that says things like “double your last bet” or “put a whoopee cushion under Stephanie’s chair.” Who knows? It’s your table, so get weird if you want to.

There you have it! That’s how to play roulette at home with friends. It takes some prep, but with the right equipment, snacks, and supportive encouragement from the ravishing host or hostess, your at-home roulette game could turn out to be a wheel-y good time. Play roulette at Cafe Casino for a quick refresher before your guests arrive, and wow the party with roulette at home.