The best way to learn how to play roulette online is by first making sure you have a basic understanding of the game. The rules are pretty simple, but there are many different types of bets, and you need to know all about them before you put any money down.
What is Roulette and How Does It Work?
Roulette is a popular casino game in which you bet where you think the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning. The wheel has 37 or 38 pockets, numbered from one to 37, and features either a 0 or a 0 and a 00 pocket, alternately coloured red or black. When the wheel comes to a stop, winning bets will have covered the number of the pocket, and perhaps, its colour.
Find out here how to play roulette, and learn to understand the game with our guide below.
Understanding the Roulette Table Layout
The roulette table’s layout includes the wheel and betting area. It shows the numbers arranged in rows for you to place chips on for inside bets and larger sections for outside bets.
Different Types of Roulette Bets Explained
Inside Bets
Inside Bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the table. When you learn how to play roulette online, you’ll quickly realise that these bets offer higher payouts but come with lower chances of winning.
Straight-Up Bet
A straight-up bet is a bet on a single number. If you’re wondering how to play roulette, this is the simplest inside bet to make, though the odds are steep.
Split Bet
A split bet is a wager placed on two adjacent numbers. If you’re learning how to play online roulette, it’s a great way to increase your chances compared to a straight-up bet.
Street Bet
A street bet covers three consecutive numbers in a row. When you understand how to play roulette online for real money, this bet offers a higher payout of 11:1 while still covering multiple numbers.
Corner Bet
The corner bet covers four numbers in a square shape. It’s perfect if you’re curious about how to play roulette online and win, as it’s a great balance between risk and reward.
Six Line Bet
A six-line bet covers two rows of three numbers. If you want to know how to play roulette online for money, this bet provides more coverage than a street bet.
Outside Bets
Outside bets are wagers on larger groups of numbers, offering better odds but lower payouts. As you explore how to play roulette and win online, these bets are low risk and low reward.
Red or Black
Betting on red or black is a common outside bet. When you learn how to play online casino roulette, you’ll see this option frequently, as it has nearly a 50% chance of winning.
Odd or Even
Odd or even is another outside bet with similar odds. If you’re wondering how to play live roulette online, this bet provides a straightforward option that’s easy to place.
High or Low (1-18 or 19-36)
A high or low bet covers either numbers 1-18 or 19-36. This bet is part of the basics when learning how to play roulette online, as it’s a simple and popular option.
Dozen Bets
Dozen bets cover groups of twelve numbers on the layout. To start understanding how to play roulette online and win, this bet provides a solid balance of risk and reward.
Column Bets
Column bets cover one of the three vertical columns of numbers on the table. When you’re learning how to play roulette online for real money, this is a great way to spread your risk.
Payouts and Odds in Roulette
Understanding payouts and odds is essential to how to play roulette online.
Inside bets, like a straight-up bet, offer the highest payouts, 35:1, but with lower odds, making them riskier. When learning how to play roulette, outside bets like red/black or odd/even provide better odds (around 1:1) with smaller payouts.
A split bet pays 17:1, while a street bet offers 11:1, balancing risk and reward.
A corner bet pays 8:1, and a six-line bet pays 5:1.
Outside bets, like dozen or column bets, with a 2:1 payout, are a safer choice with better chances of winning.
Differences Between American, European, and French Roulette
When you learn how to play roulette online, understanding the differences between American, European, and French roulette is key. The American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, including a double zero, which increases the house edge to around 5.26%. This makes it less favourable when you’re learning how to play roulette compared to other versions.
On the other hand, European roulette features only one 0, lowering the house edge to about 2.7%, making it a better choice for players who want slightly better odds. French roulette offers the best odds, with a single zero and additional rules like La Partage and En Prison, which reduce the house edge to around 1.35%.
Common Roulette Strategies and Betting Systems
When you learn how to play roulette online, you’ll come across popular betting strategies that can help manage your bankroll.
Martingale System
The Martingale system involves doubling your bet after each loss to recover losses when you win.
Fibonacci System
The Fibonacci system increases your bet based on the Fibonacci sequence after a loss.
Labouchere System
The Labouchere system requires you to create a sequence of numbers, add the first and last numbers together to form the bet, and adjust the sequence after each win or loss.
D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert system involves increasing your bet by one unit after a loss and decreasing it by one unit after a win.
Tips for Playing Roulette Responsibly
When learning how to play roulette online, it’s important to set yourself a budget and stick to it. Understanding the odds and potential outcomes helps in making informed decisions on how to play roulette responsibly. Always play for fun, not to make quick profits. Roulette is an exciting casino game that combines chance with strategy, but like all forms of gambling, it’s important to play responsibly.
Before placing your chips on the table, take time to understand how roulette works. European roulette, for example, has better odds than American roulette because it only has one zero. Knowing the house edge and payout structure helps you make informed choices — and enjoy the game without unrealistic expectations.
Advanced Roulette Tips for Experienced Players
How to Read a Roulette Table’s Hot and Cold Numbers
To read a roulette table’s hot and cold numbers, observe recent results and note the frequently appearing “hot” numbers and the less frequent “cold” ones. Many online and mobile casinos display game histories, but remember, roulette remains a game of chance, so patterns don’t guarantee success.
When and How to Walk Away
Knowing when to stop and pull out is important, even when you’re just learning how to play roulette. Knowing when and how to walk away is a critical skill for any experienced roulette player. Roulette, like all casino games, is ultimately a game of chance, and staying too long at the table can lead to losses, even for skilled players. Setting clear boundaries for wins and losses is key to maintaining control and protecting your bankroll.
It’s important to walk away once you’ve reached a predetermined profit goal. Chasing higher winnings after hitting your target often results in giving back your gains to the casino. Similarly, setting a loss limit before you start playing ensures you won’t overspend or risk funds you can’t afford to lose. Stick to these limits without exceptions, as emotional decisions during gameplay can quickly lead to poor choices.
Managing Risk While Using Progressive Betting Strategies
When you’re learning how to play roulette online, it’s vital that you manage the risks you’re taking with progressive betting systems. These strategies, like the Martingale, can secure you big wins but may also deplete your bankroll rapidly because they’ll increase your losses as well. Always set yourself a time and monetary limit and avoid chasing losses so you can stay in control.
Glossary of Common Roulette Terms
Column Bet: A bet placed on one of the three vertical columns of numbers.
Corner Bet: A bet placed on four numbers that meet at a corner.Inside Bet: A bet placed on an exact number or smaller groups of numbers in roulette games.
Dozen Bet: A bet on one of three groups of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36).Outside Bet: These are bets placed on larger groups of numbers.
En Prison: A rule in French roulette where a bet on even-money options is locked for the next spin after a zero appears.
House Edge: The advantage statistically that the casino has over you.
La Partage: A rule where half of even-money bets are returned if the ball lands on zero.
Roulette Table: This is the area of the roulette table where you will place your digital chips if you’re playing an RNG game or your actual chips if you’re playing a live dealer game.
Split Bet: A wager made on two adjacent numbers.
Straight-Up Bet: A bet placed on a single number.
Street Bet: When you bet on three numbers that are successive.
Wheel Layout: This is how the numbers are arranged on the roulette wheel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I improve my chances of winning at roulette?
Roulette is a chance-based game, so you can’t do much to improve your chances of winning. What you can do is manage your betting budget carefully so you’re never stressed out because you’re losing money you can’t afford to.
What is the house edge in roulette?
The house edge in roulette will depend on what variation you’re playing. If you’re enjoying European roulette, then you’re looking at a 2.7% house edge, but if you’ve elected the American variant, then you’re looking at 5.26%.
Is there a difference between online and land-based roulette?
If you’re playing live dealer roulette, then there’s not much of a difference. Random Number Generator, or RNG games, are different in that they’re the digital versions of the real game. The rules and payouts remain in place.
How do I place a bet on multiple numbers?
Place bets on multiple numbers in roulette games by using the corner, outside, split, or street options. These cover various wheel sections and allow you to bet on more than one number at a time.
What happens if the ball lands on zero?
It depends on what roulette variation you’re playing. In French roulette, even-money bets may be locked for the next round.
What is the best bet on roulette?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for smaller wins but ones that are more likely to occur, then choose outside bets. If you’re looking for the big payout, then inside bets are a better option.
How to play Australian roulette?
You play roulette in Australia by signing up at one of our recommended online casino sites, depositing some money, and choosing from the range of 21 games on offer. There’s no Australian variant of the game.