How to Play Roulette Online: Basics
Roulette is one of the hottest casino games in the world. Thousands of people bet on a number, red or black, odd or even hoping to guess the lucky number. This kind of entertainment does not require gaming skills and talent: only luck determines the game outcome. That is why roulette is wildly popular in land-based and online casinos.
In creating this section, we tried to collect the most useful information about online roulette. Here you will find a description of the types and bets, and understand how to start playing this online game and have fun.
What is Roulette?
The point of roulette is to guess the number. A ball hits a spinning wheel with numbers ranging from 1 to 36. After a few spins, it stops at one of the sectors. If the player guesses the number, the bet is automatically increased by 35 times. It is important to note that one can bet not only on numbers but also on the colour (red or black), as well as on:
- row
- column
- dozens
Bets appear on a green table with numbers on it.
Types of Online Roulette
There are three basic types of roulette. Each has its own characteristics, but the principle is the same.
European Roulette
European roulette contains 37 sectors from 0 to 36. Numbers from 1 to 36 are coloured red and black. A zero sector has a green background. European roulette never uses zero in bets.
American Roulette
American roulette contains another green sector – a double zero – located on the wheel opposite the first zero. It also has a different order of numbers. In American roulette, the gambler can bet with zero and double zero.
French Roulette
French roulette is another game variant. It contains 37 sectors from 0 to 36, and the bets are accepted only before the wheel’s spin. Players can place verbal bets in land-based casinos. In French roulette, outside bets remain on the table for the next round when zero falls.
Today in online casinos, you can also find dozens of other roulette variants (3D, mini, no zero, classic with additional rules, etc.).
Check out our section about tips on how to play online roulette.
Understanding the Roulette Wheel
The roulette table is the same for all the game variants except American roulette. There is a so-called double zero. So, the total number of slots on the wheel and betting fields is 38. In European type of roulette, the number of slots is 37 (numbers from 1 to 36 and 0).
This little nuance makes a big difference for punters. European variant has one of the lowest rates of casino income among all gambling games – only 2.7%. In other words, 97.3% of all wagered funds, on average, are returned to the player. Thanks to the double zero, American version of roulette almost doubles the house edge – up to 5.26%.
French variation of online roulette has a slightly different playing field. One more difference – all its symbols are written in French.
Types of Roulette Bets
In roulette, there are inside and outside types of bets.
Inside Bets
They are placed within the inner sector of the gambling field – three columns of vertical and 12 horizontal rows.
Straight Up
The player bets on one number. The chip is located on the field where a specific numbered value is displayed.
Split
A bet is placed on 2 numbers that are adjacent one to one in a horizontal or vertical direction. The chip is on the line that separates the fields.
Street
The punter bets on 3 numbers that go horizontally in a row. The chip is on the line that separates the field with numbers from the outside part.
Corner
The player places a bet on 4 adjoining numbers. The chip is at the point where the numbers intersect.
Six Line/Double Street
This bet is placed on 6 numbers that form horizontal lines. The chip is located on the line that separates the part of the field with numbers and another part.
Basket
The player bet on 3 numbers, at least one of which is zero. The chip is on the corner – an adjacent zone between the fields.
First Four
The gambler places a bet on 4 numbers with values 0, 1, 2, 3. The chip is located directly at the corner of the intersection of 0, 2 sectors and the line.
Top Line
The bet is placed on the highest line, on two sectors with zero and the first street. The chip is on the corner of the intersection between the sector, the third number and the line that does not border with the outside bets.
Outside Bets
Players place such bets within the outer sector of the field. The chance of winning is much higher, although the winnings are lower.
Red/Black
It is a bet on any number in a certain colour sector.
Even/Odd
As the name implies, the player bets on getting an even or odd number.
High/Low
It is expected that a specific number will fall out within a certain interval.
Column
The player bets that any number will fall out within the selected vertical column of 12 numbers.
Dozen
A bet on getting a number within the range from 1 to 12.
How to Play Online Roulette
There are not so many rules in roulette, so understanding and remembering them is an easy task even for a newcomer in gambling. During the game, the player makes a bet on some number or group of numbers. If one of them drops out, then the player wins.
The roulette table consists of two parts:
- playing field with numbers for the bet
- wheel on which numbers fall out
The playing field, in turn, contains 36 red and black sectors and the 37th green sector. It is called “zero”. The playing field in roulette is divided into two parts:
- inside (all numbers that the player can bet on);
- outside (indicators by which the specified values are grouped, for example, even and odd numbers, red and black numbers, dozens, etc.).
The way these numerical values are distributed on the field and their colours determine the win rate. The player can bet on one or more numbers.
After all bets are placed, the dealer spins the roulette wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite. Finally, the roulette wheel stops, and the ball, being in one of the numbered slots, determines whether the bet is played.
Best Roulette Type and Bets for Beginners
One of the most important tips for beginners is to choose European roulette instead of American, as the risks of losing are lower. Then, having gained some experience, you can try your hand at the American variant.
A roulette beginner should try safe bets such as odd/even, red/black, or straight when it comes to betting. Of course, this does not guarantee victory, but the risks, in this case, are significantly reduced.
Another important tip is to know when to exit the game. If you have lost three times in a row, this may mean that the corresponding table is simply not for you. So, it is worth taking a break.
Want to be a pro at online roulette? Do not forget to visit our best roulette strategies section.
FAQs
Depending on the game variant you are playing, there are 37 or 38 numbers on a roulette table.
It is hard to predict anything here. But if you are a beginner, it is better to stick with even bets, as they have the best odds (around 50%).
You need to choose a suitable casino that offers roulette in demo mode. Then go through the registration procedure and find the game you are interested in.
It is more profitable than the vast majority of slots and many other gambling games. But in blackjack, video poker, baccarat or craps, in theory, the return is still higher. There are also slot machines with a higher RTP. Do not forget that it all depends on your luck.
Each table has its own pre-set casino limits. The maximum and minimum are most often indicated on the casino website.