Roulette, as we know it today, has been around for more than two centuries, so its longevity is an indicator of how intriguing and popular this game is among casino players. We can trace its roots back to France, which is where the name comes from (roulette means “little wheel” in French).
Best Roulette Sites
Alongside blackjack, roulette is surely one of the most played table games in the world. So, if you are new to the online gambling scene, don’t fret about playing this game! In this article, we will cover the basics of roulette, your possible bets, the available roulette variants and much more!
Gameplay & Rules
Well, the first question that instantly pops up in your mind would be whether online roulette has complicated rules. We can instantly tell you that this is a game that oozes simplicity. First off, we can break down its most important aspects into a few points:
- The aim – you have to predict where the ball will land on the numbered roulette wheel.
- The bet – you place bets on the number or group of numbers on the wheel.
- The payouts – you can win anywhere between 1x and 35x depending on your bet, and the roulette variant you play.
As we briefly mentioned, roulette has several different variants, and you might see some fluctuations between the rules, but the basics remain the same. Roulette works by matching numbers on a wheel and if your bet matches where the ball lands – congratulations, you have landed yourself a win!
This is a game that everyone can play, regardless of their experience level, as you can make general number picks or specific predictions, which will later determine the size of your win. That way, you have better control over the risk you are exposed to when playing online roulette.
At the end of the day, very few games can give you the level of flexibility roulette offers, as it is a game of options. It doesn’t matter if you are a risk-averse player or a high roller, you are sure to find enjoyment in online roulette!
Popular Online Roulette Variations
You might feel a bit overwhelmed when you get a glimpse of the roulette variations at online casinos throughout the world. Worry not, as even though there will be some slight variations in the rules, the general gameplay is rather straightforward.
Generally speaking, we can group the roulette variations into two major categories:
- Traditional variants – examples include European, American and French Roulette.
- Unconventional versions – such as Roulette Royal 3D Roulette, and Astro Roulette.
These versions are just the tip of the iceberg, but we believe they are more than enough to get you started in the online roulette gambling world! Let’s take a look at their specifics.
European Roulette
We start off with European Roulette, a game that easily ranks as the most played variation of the classic roulette game. You can find it pretty much at any online gambling site, regardless of where it operates, and European Roulette has a simple gameplay.
In total, European Roulette has 37 pockets, one of which is a zero. Besides its simplicity, one of the main driving factors behind this game’s popularity is the low house edge – 2.7%.
You can find different European Roulette tables with different betting limits, so we are confident you will have no problems finding a table that will match your preferences and bankroll size.
We will take a look at the bet types a bit below in the article, but European Roulette allows you to place inside, outside and even racetrack bets. Lastly, some of the major software providers that have come up with unique, sharp-looking and exciting European Roulette variants are:
- Microgaming
- NetEnt
- Playtech
- Betsoft
American Roulette
In close second place, we have American Roulette, which plenty call “The European Roulette’s cousin”. The main difference between the two games is that the American version has 38 pockets – there is an additional one marked with 00.
As a result, the house edge of American Roulette rises significantly, all the way to 5.26%, which is why punters prefer the European Roulette variant.
When it comes to the rules, the basics are pretty much the same, but there is one exception in regard to the bets. In American Roulette, you can make the so-called Five-Number bet, which pays out 6 to 1 and increases the house edge.
In addition, NetEnt’s American Roulette variant allows players to make Call Bets that cover certain sections of the roulette wheel.
French Roulette
French Roulette reminds of the European variation as you play it on a single-zero wheel. However, there are differences in the names of the bets. Namely, on the table layout, you will see bets called Impair/Pair, which means Odd/Even.
Moreover, third dozens are marked with P12, M12, and D12, so be aware of these changes! Another striking difference is that French Roulette variants apply the La Partage rule, which means that half of your initial stake is returned if you spin the zero. This rule reduces the house edge to 1.35%, which is good news for all players!
Roulette Royale
Now, we can shift our focus to more unconventional roulette variants, but ones that you will surely find equally appealing as their counterparts explained above. We start with Roulette Royale, one of the most enticing variations of the game.
Microgaming has developed the original Roulette Royale, and it is a game that has 37 pockets on a standard European wheel. However, there is an exciting twist here – Roulette Royal has a progressive jackpot attached, so you need to make an obligatory, but small side bet that goes towards the ever-increasing common pot.
For you to collect the jaw-dropping jackpot prize, you have to hit the same number on the wheel five times in a row. Of course, it is easier said than done, but plenty would say that it is more than worth your time, since the prize often goes into millions!
Another good feature is that if you don’t manage to hit the number five times in a row, there is still a good prize you can collect:
- Two times in a row – 15 to 1 payout.
- Three times in a row – 200 to 1 payout.
- Four times in a row – 3,000 to 1 payout.
3D Roulette
Up next, we have a roulette variant developed by the ever-so-reliable Playtech. 3D Roulette brings this classic table game to a whole new level with its 3D graphics. We are talking about a game that doesn’t have any changes to its general gameplay – 3D Roulette is played on a European wheel with a single zero.
The main difference lies within the graphics and the visual depths. More so, there are different helpful features attached to 3D Roulette such as the Breakdown functionality. It displays the sum players have won after each spin on the wheel.
You can also take full advantage of the information available in the Game History and Repeat Bet sections, and you can also see the numbers that have come up in previous spin under the Past Numbers board.
The wheel is situated in the centre of your screen, with the table just above it. If you are more into exotic bets, then use the racetrack on the left side of your screen. As part of the visual enhancements of 3D Roulette, you can adjust the wheel and make it more visually appealing.
Astro Roulette
Finally, we have Astro Roulette, a game that is ideal if you are into horoscope signs! So, Astro Roulette is a game with a very unusual design, and it certainly guarantees a different type of casino thrill. 1×2 Gaming is the provider behind its creation, and Astro Roulette is full of nice betting features.
First off, unlike the traditional European and American versions of roulette, Astro Roulette has 36 sockets with 12 zodiac signs and one section with the Infinity symbol.
Here, you can only make 12 inside bets, but you can also make split and corner bets. Astro Roulette also has outside bets you can utilize, all of which include different groups of zodiac signs.
Even though its structure is different to what you might be used to, some consider Astro Roulette to be a European Roulette variant as it still has 36 sections, and the Infinity symbol has the same function as the 0.
You will also be happy with the house edge that stands at 2.70%, which is pretty much the same as European Roulette’s.
Astro Roulette is a game that caters to every player’s preferences as it offers a wide betting range. You can wager anywhere between $0.5 and $1,000 per spin, so if you are looking for a different way to play European Roulette, then this is the right one for you!
Live Roulette – A More Thrilling Gaming Adventure
Live roulette variants are slowly taking over the entire online gambling scene, so we thought we dedicate a separate section to such games. These games have captured the players’ attention as they offer a realistic and in-live gaming adventure through their real dealers.
Such games are streamed in real-time from studios across the world, and they certainly bridge the gap between land-based and online casinos. Multi-camera HD immersive views will surely bring you much closer to the action, as you will be able to observe every spin of the wheel.
What is even better, there is a vast choice of game views and rich features, such as Autoplay, statistics, and of course – the chance to communicate with the dealer through the live chat function!
Reputable game providers have come up with some dazzling live roulette variants, and regardless of the table you choose, you will get to play alongside other players, at a real wheel, and with all the action streamed live to your device of choice!
Placing a bet on live roulette variants is a very simple process:
- Pick your desired bet amount (note that there is always a minimum bet incorporated);
- Decide on the bet type you want to make;
- Confirm the bet.
Then, the live dealer will just acknowledge your wager and place chips on the table. Once all bets are in place, the croupier will spin the roulette wheel and if you win, you get your payout!
Finally, there are several world-class live roulette variants which can bring together land-based and online casino players at the same roulette tables:
- Live European, American and French Roulette;
- Lightning Roulette
- XXXtreme Lightning Roulette
- Immersive Roulette
- Speed Roulette
- Double Ball Roulette
You will mostly see Evolution Gaming, Ezugi and Pragmatic Play powering up the live casino game directories at gambling sites.
Types of Bets in Online Roulette
Now, we can get a bit into the juicy part of this article – what types of bets can you place when playing online roulette? Well, the list is not short, as depending on the game variant you play, you will have several options at your disposal, but here, we will cover only the most widespread ones.
Inside Bets
Let’s start with inside bets, which is a logical name based on the location of the bets. You can place such bets on the inside of the betting table, and you will find a myriad of options here. Note that these bets can have different payouts, depending on the roulette variant you play, but let’s walk you through their basics:
| BET | DESCRIPTION |
| Straight Up | A bet that you place on a single number on the roulette wheel, and usually has a payout of 35:1. |
| Split | You put your chip between two numbers, covering both of them. The payout here is 17:1 |
| Street | A bet that sees you wager on three numbers at the beginning of the horizontal lane. The payout with a Street bet is 11:1 |
| Corner | An interesting bet that sees you wager on the square of four numbers. You can place this bet by stationing your chip in the middle where four number borders cross over. The payout is 8:1, so this bet is a good idea for all players |
| Basket | A wager that sees you place a bet on five different numbers at the same time. Note that this is a bet only applicable to American Roulette, as it covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Here, you can expect a nice payout of 6:1 |
| Six Line | A bet that requires you to wager in the middle of two horizontal lines and bet on 25-30. The payout for a Six Line bet is 5:1 |
Outside Bets
Moving on, we can cover the Outside Bets in online roulette that offer you some cool options! The most commonly used ones among players online are:
| BET | DESCRIPTION |
| Column | A type of bet that covers 12 numbers, and one that has a payout of 2:1 if you get it correct |
| Dozen | Pretty self-explanatory, this bet sees you bet on columns. You can choose from 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36, with the payout being also 2:1 |
| Red/Black | One of the most common bet types in online roulette, also known as Even Money bet. Here, you get a 1:1 payout, with the 0 column not covered |
| High/Low | An even money bet that you need to place on either low or high numbers (1-18 or 19-36). The payout is still 1:1 |
| Even/Odd | Another even money bet that sees you bet on even or odd numbers on the wheel. Once again, you can look forward to 1:1 payouts. |
Announced Bets
Inside and outside bets are the most common ones in online roulette, sure, but if you are a seasoned casino player, you have surely heard of Announced or French Bets. They can go by different names, but they are made for live dealer games as you just need to “announce” them and the dealer will place your chips.
Such bets are convenient for casinos as they prefer to keep the pace of the game going rather than wait for punters to place chips and lose precious time. Let’s take a look at the most used Announced Bets in the live dealers gambling world.
| BET | DESCRIPTIPON |
| Voisins du Zero | A bet that covers 17 numbers between 22 and 25 on the roulette table. This wager gives you about a 46% chance of success |
| Le Tiers du Cylindre | A clever bet that sees you cover a third of the wheel. You wager on 12 numbers between 27 and 33 |
| Orphelins | You bet on the following numbers – 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14, 31, and 9. This is a good bet if you are into a bit of improvisation while gambling |
| Jeu Zero | This type of roulette bet covers the numbers closest to 0 – 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15 |
| Neighbours | A bet that focuses on five numbers – 34, 25, 17, 6, and 27 at the same time |
Honourable Mentions
All the bets we have listed above are available in nearly all roulette variants, but there are some wagers that you will have a harder time finding. Here, we can think of two worthy bet types:
- Snake Bet – a bet that zigzags around the wheel and covers 12 numbers in total.
- Finals Bet – you bet on numbers that finish with the same figure. For example, if you bet on 8, it means you also wager on 18 and 28 at the same time.
Online Roulette Strategies – Shift The Odds in Your Favour
At the end of the day, there are no guarantees when you play online or live roulette. All variants are games of chance, but that doesn’t mean you should just bet all you have and hope for the best. There are different systems you can use that can at least improve your odds of securing a win.
We suggest you learn all the concepts of one strategy and stick with it, but having access and knowledge to more patterns will certainly allow you to rotate them if you feel like it.
Martingale
Let’s start with the simplest strategy you can use while playing online roulette – the Martingale System. In essence, this strategy requires you to double down on your losses, so you can recuperate them when you eventually land a win.
When you win and get your lost money back, you continue wagering with your basic unit until you lose – then, you start all over again! Be cautious though – this is a strategy that can see you lose big sums in quick succession, so don’t even think about using it if your wallet cannot cope with it.
Reverse Martingale
Up next, we have the complete opposite of the Martingale System – its Reverse colleague! If you use this strategy, you will need to double your bet every time you secure a win – you repeat that until you lose a round.
When you eventually lose, you return to your basic unit and keep on betting that way until you win, after which you double down again!
D’Alembert
D’Alembert is a very common roulette tactic that experienced pros in the industry use commonly. This strategy sees you add one unit on top of your bet when you lose a round, and you will need to decrease your bet by the same amount when you eventually win your round.
There is no timeframe on how long you need to use this strategy – so as long as your bankroll allows you to, the D’Alembert strategy will serve you!
Fibonacci
Moving on, the Fibonacci System is connected to a series of universal numbers. We are talking bout a sequence of numbers where each adds to the sum of the previous two. The first 10 numbers of the Fibonacci system are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34. You just choose a number to start with and bet, and if you lose, you bet the sum right next to it, and if you lose, you go to the left of that number.
This system only works for even money bets. So, let’s say we start with a $1 wager and it loses. So, according to the Fibonacci sequence, we need to now wager $1 again to set the correct sequence.
Romanowsky
The ROmanowsky strategy will see you break down your standard wagering patterns and place two dozen and corner bets. This way, it is estimated that you have an 86% chance of success, which is not bad at all!
666 System
We continue with a rather aggressive system, but one that gives you nice chances of landing a victory. According to the 666 System, you need to bet on every number except the four.
Oscar Grind
Lastly, we can cover the Oscar Grind Strategy that sees you start your wagering with one unit. Then, you increase it by one unit for every win, but if you lose, you go back to the base unit where you will add one more – now you play with two units as your base.
Our Tips For The Best Way To Play Online Roulette
Of course, there are different strategies you can adopt when playing online roulette, but we can also suggest a few fundamental tips that you can use as further guidance when playing any variant of this exciting game:
- Practice for free first – like is the case with all casino games, we suggest you try out roulette for free to improve your skills and test out a roulette strategy. Note that live roulette games don’t have demo versions.
- Study the game – you need to know the fundamentals of online roulette – rules, bet types and odds before you even think about playing for real money.
- Place smaller bets at first – if are a casual gamer, we advise you to start betting smaller sums at first. This way, you won’t suffer astronomical losses from the beginning and you will make your bankroll last longer.
- Play outside bets – outside bets such as odds/even, red/black, and high/low won’t get you jaw-dropping prizes, but they give you a good chance to secure a win.
- Use casino bonuses – bonuses in online casinos can be quite beneficial for your gameplay. If you use the right bonus, you can see your winnings increase drastically!
- Set a betting limit – a fundamental online gambling tip is that you always stick within your gambling budget and make sure roulette is just a pastime activity.
How to Start Playing Online Roulette
Now that you have all the information you need about online roulette, there is just one more thing left to do – start playing this exciting wheel game! To do so, all you have to do is follow four very simple steps.
Choose a Reputable Online Casino
This should be the starting point of any online gambling journey. You need to make sure that you gamble at a safe platform, so search for fully regulated online casinos that hold a license from trusted authorities such as the MGA, UGKC, etc.
Deposit & Claim the Welcome Bonus
You are now free to choose from the wide range of payment methods for your first deposit. Note that there are always minimum deposit amounts you have to adhere to. In addition, as we always suggest, take a look at the welcome bonus – if it contains favourable T&Cs that can help you boost your winnings, then go ahead and claim it!
Choose A Roulette Variant & Bet
Every illustrious online casino will have a plethora of online roulette variants to choose from. So, take your pick and select the chip size to bet with. Then, choose one of the bet types explained above and place your chips on that bet!
Spin & Win
The fun can now officially begin! Whenever you are ready, hit the Spin button and release the ball into the wheel! Once the ball stops and settles into a pocket, you will know whether you have secured a win. Just remember to gamble responsibly, and you will enjoy roulette to its maximum!
Final Words – A Game For Centuries
Overall, we can say that the gambling world has developed incredibly and it is almost unrecognizable from what it was when it first started gaining the attention of people worldwide. However, a fascinating aspect of that development is that some games have endured the test of time.
One such game is roulette – a rather simple game of chance that you can find at any online gambling site nowadays.
Almost every prominent software provider has its own roulette version – be it online or live roulette, so that speaks volumes about the game’s popularity.
Now, with all the knowledge you have gathered, you are ready to choose one of the online roulette variants above and spin the wheel – hopefully, you get off to a flying start!
FAQs
How many numbers are there in a roulette game?
Well, we can mention three popular roulette variants for reference here. European and French roulette games have 37 pockets in total, including a green 0. The American Roulette variant has an additional 00 pocket.
What is the best bet I can make in online roulette?
This mainly depends on the type of player you are. If you are a novice in the online gambling world, we suggest you start small and try out even money wagers, such as red/black, and odd/even – all bets that have 1:1 payout.
What is the difference between online and live roulette?
Online roulette is an RNG-run game that works under a computer program, while live roulette is run by real dealers in real-time from studios. Live roulette allows you to experience all the action in real-time from several HD cameras in the studio – all adding to an impressive gambling adventure.
Which strategy can I use to win in online roulette?
There is no universal answer to this question. You can implement various strategies depending on your bankroll size, so take a look at our suggestions above, try some out and choose accordingly!
How is European Roulette different to American Roulette?
The difference between these two games is obvious – European Roulette has 37 pockets, one of which is 0, while the American version has 38 pockets – an additional 00 is added. As a result, American Roulette has a much higher house edge.
You must be at least 18 years of age to gamble in the United Kingdom. If you feel that gambling is becoming a problem for you or someone you know then we encourage you to visit begambleaware.org for help and advice.
