If you’re a fan of classic table games, you will already be familiar with online roulette. Regardless of your experience, it’s a simple table that’s relatively easy to learn. Plus, there are plenty of tips to boost your gameplay.
In this guide, we will highlight what roulette is, provide an overview of the basic rules, and provide you with a few strategies along the way. Whether you are already familiar with the roulette game or starting from scratch, we have everything you need right here. So, prepare to spin the roulette wheel and learn all about this exciting game.
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While there are different variants of online roulette, the general gameplay consists of a ball getting dropped onto a spinning wheel. The wheel has various numbered pockets and the player will try to predict where the ball will land.
Learning how to play roulette online
Roulette is a fairly simple table game but there are a few things you will need to learn before getting started. Here’s an overview of how the game works:
Roulette tables are set out in two sections – the inside and outside. On the inside, 36 squares are all numbered and either red or black. On the outside, boxes cover a variety of numbers, such as odd and even. Depending on the type of roulette, you may also find a double zero.
Standard roulette wheels have numbers ranging from 0 to 36. On European Roulette wheels, there are 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, and 1 ‘0’ green pocket. American Roulette is the same but with an extra green pocket with ‘00’.
The numbers are not in consecutive order. Instead, the order has been designed to offer a balance between low, high, even, and odd numbers.
Pros and cons of playing roulette online
So why should you go into the online domain to play roulette? Here are the main pros and cons of doing so:
Multi-player modeBroad variety of gamesSelection of online casinosEngaging gameplay
The three main types of online roulette are American, European, and French. You can also find a variety of live games at roulette casino sites.
Roulette feature
American
European
French
Pockets
38
37
37
Avg. house edge
5.26%
2.7%
1.35%
Zeros
00
0
0
Free play
✅
✅
✅
Live casino
✅
✅
✅
American roulette
American roulette is the classic twist on the popular table game and consists of an additional double zero pocket on the wheel. This brings the total of pockets to 38. While the added pocket doesn’t alter the rules of this online roulette variant, it does change your chances of winning.
European roulette
If you’ve played roulette before at
online casino
sites, the chances are it was this one. It’s the most common roulette variant and has 37 pockets in total. There are numbered pockets from 0 to 36, with an extra single zero pocket. This extra pocket brings the house edge down to 2.7%, making it a favorite.
French roulette
French roulette is practically the same as European roulette but with one difference. There are some changes in the rules that make it possible for players to lose only half of their bet; this happens if the ball lands on the zero pocket.
Live online roulette
You might have guessed this already but live roulette uses a real human croupier. You can play live versions of all roulette variants, including American, European, and French. The only difference is you will watch a live dealer through a live stream as you play in real-time.
Types of roulette bets
When you’re playing roulette online, there are several types of bets you can make. Here’s an overview of some of the wagers you might like to consider:
Straight Up – Bet on any number
Split – Bet on two numbers at the same time
Street – Bet on three numbers at the same time
Corner – Wager on a block of four numbers
Six Line – Combine two Street bets
Five Number – Bet on both zero pockets, 1, 2, and 3, on American roulette
Neighbour Bet – Wager on five numbers that are situated next to each other
First 12 – Bet on the first 12 numbers
Second 12 – Wager on the second set of 12 numbers
1-18 – Bet on numbers between 1 to 18
19-36 – Wager on numbers between 19 to 36
Even – Bet on all even numbers
Odd – Stake on all odd numbers
Red – Bet on only red numbers
Black – Bet on only black numbers
How to place bets on online roulette games
Whether you are playing free roulette or real money games, the process will be practically identical. The only difference is you won’t be playing with real cash on demo versions or free games.
To help get you started, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play:
Choose your wager and settle the bet
Hit the ‘Spin’ button on the wheel to release the ball
When the wheel stops, the ball will land in a pocket
If your bet was correct, you win the round
As you can see, it’s a very simple game once you have learned the rules. It’s a case of trying to predict where the ball will land in every round, before deciding to proceed with more rounds or to end your game.
Online roulette games use RNGs (Random Number Generators) so the outcome is 100% random and fair. While we cannot always help you win, there are a few things you can do to help enhance your gameplay. Check out the below tips for a chance to get the most out of the experience.
🎰 Learn by Playing Free Online Roulette
Just like the
best online blackjack sites
offer free demos, there are a variety of ways to try roulette for free first. We recommend using free games and demos to help you learn the rules and get confident. Once you have had the chance to try out different strategies and are comfortable, you can start playing for real money and risk real cash.
🎲 Understand Roulette Odds
When it comes to winning, the chances of the outcome being in your favor all come down to the number of pockets. For example, European roulette has 37 pockets, while American roulette has 38. If you stake on red, it has the probability of 18 out of 37 on European, while the probability changes to 18 out of 38 on American.
💰 Decide on a Budget
Before you get started, it’s best to have a budget in mind and stick to it. This will help you to have control over your bankroll and manage your cash. For example, choose to deposit a set amount that you’re happy to use, then end your session once your bankroll is gone. Even if you’re on a winning streak, it’s always best to have a break and come back with a clear mind.
📈 Consider Outside Bets
You can bet on the outside in online roulette, which is certainly worth considering. Outside bets often give you a better chance at winning compared to inside bets. Just keep in mind that these payouts will be smaller.
🎉 Claim Casino Bonuses
When you play online roulette, you will have access to some of the best promotions around. You can take advantage of
low deposit casinos, welcome bonuses, reload offers, VIP programs, and more. These will help to boost your bankroll, extending your gameplay significantly.
🔀 Try Combination Bets
It might be worth experimenting with combination bets. Combination bets give you the chance to get a bigger return but keep in mind that it comes with a greater risk.
🚫 Don’t Use ‘What’s Due’ Prompts
Both online and in-person roulette games are 100% random, which means the numbers will never show up in a sequence or pattern. If there is a pattern, this is purely coincidence. You should never listen to any strategies that claim to predict the next number.
⏰ Take Breaks Throughout Your Gameplay
If you are playing roulette for an extended period of time, this could result in poor decision-making and clouded judgment. For example, if you’re on a winning streak, you may be tempted to keep it going. Likewise, if you’re on a losing streak, you may want to chase losses. Regardless, you should take regular breaks so you can focus.
Is it possible to cheat while playing roulette?
Quite simply, no, you cannot cheat on any roulette game online. Roulette games operate using RNGs, so they are as random as any computer system can make it. The best roulette casinos are independently audited to ensure fairness, which in turn protects you from being cheated out of a win and cheating.
Dealing with losses when playing roulette
All casino games result in losses eventually, whether you’re playing table games, slots, or at the
best bingo sites. Keep in mind that roulette is down to chance and the game cannot be influenced by any skill. While there are strategies and tips to implement, these will not guarantee a win.
If you find yourself on a losing streak, here are a few things you can do:
Keep your bets small for more control over your bankroll
Don’t settle too many bets at one time that have lower odds
If you are worried you might spend too much, set some limits on deposits, time spent, etc
Never wager more than you can afford to lose and always weigh up risk vs reward
Conclusion: Use this guide to assist with your first roulette game
Roulette is one of the most popular table games around, whether you are playing online or in person. You can choose from a huge variety of game types including the most common ones American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette.
While roulette is a game of chance, there are a few things you can do to help land a win. For example, taking your time to understand the odds, placing lower bets to manage your bankroll, and testing free roulette games out first. Once you understand that, you can simply sign up to any of the online casinos listed in the banners of this page and start playing.
🎰 What number on the roulette wheel wins the most?
Roulette games are completely random, so there is no single number or pocket in which you are more likely to win. If you hear whispers of certain numbers being winners more often than not, this is either a rumor or a coincidence.
💸 Can I play roulette for free?
Yes, there are two ways of playing roulette games for free. First of all, you can take advantage of free demos to see how the game works. You can also try sweepstakes or social casinos that allow you to play games without risking your own cash. Both of these are perfect ways to build up your experience and confidence before wagering real money.
🚫 Is there a guaranteed way of winning roulette?
No, all roulette games are fair and have random outcomes. This means there is no single strategy, tip, or technique that can secure you a win every time. Let’s face it if that were the case – everyone would be doing it!
🎲 What’s the best roulette variant to play?
While European roulette is the most popular, you may enjoy a different version of the game. There are several types of roulette to try, so it’s worth testing a few for free to see which one you prefer. It’s also worth considering if you like live games, as roulette can also be enjoyed as an immersive game with a real dealer.
Simon Day
About Simon Day
Simon has been writing about Gaming and Sports for over a decade, with his work featured in a variety of well-known gaming magazines. This year, he joined win.gg as an Editorial Specialist, where he continues to share his passion for the industry through insightful and well-crafted content pieces.
Simon Day