How to Play Roulette Online
Roulette has maintained its position as one of the most recognizable casino games for centuries, characterized by its iconic spinning wheel and the wide range of potential outcomes. At first glance, the combination of equipment and betting options may seem overwhelming, but the fundamentals are straightforward once you see how each element fits together.
This guide breaks down roulette into clear stages, starting with the aim of the game before moving on to the role of its equipment and the flow of a round. You will also find which versions are worth knowing and how the game has been adapted for online play in both RNG and live dealer formats.
Demystifying Roulette
Before sitting down at a roulette table, it helps to understand the core principles that shape every round. This section explains the aim of the game and the elements that define how it’s played, setting the stage for a clearer understanding of what follows.
The Goal of Roulette
The aim of roulette is to predict the pocket where the ball will come to rest once the wheel completes its spin. You place chips on the betting layout to make your choice. That choice might be a single number, a cluster of numbers, or broader categories like colour or odd/even.
Covering more ground increases the chance of a winning outcome, while a single-number selection carries far less likelihood but a much higher return.
Everything You Need to Know About the Equipment Used in Roulette
Roulette is defined by its distinctive setup, comprising the wheel and the betting table.
Together, they create the structure of the game, with the wheel producing the outcome and the table providing the layout where predictions are placed. Understanding how these two elements work is the first step toward making sense of how to play the roulette game as a whole.
The Wheel
The roulette wheel is divided into numbered pockets, alternating in colour between red and black, with one or more green pockets reserved for zero. European wheels contain 37 pockets in total, numbered 1 through 36 along with a single zero. American wheels add a double zero, bringing the total to 38.
The ball is released in the opposite direction of the wheel’s spin, eventually settling into one of the pockets. This simple design is what generates every result in the game.
The Roulette Table
In front of the wheel sits a felt layout that mirrors its numbers and offers spaces for different types of bets. Each number from 1 to 36 is shown in either red or black, while the zero (and the double zero for American layouts) appears in green.
Around these numbers are additional sections that allow you to place broader predictions, from ranges of numbers to groups defined by colour or by odd or even values.
This layout is what connects your predictions to the result of the spin, serving as the map for every choice you make during the game.
Understanding Betting Options
Roulette bets are divided into two categories based on where the chips are placed on the layout. Inside bets occupy spaces on the numbered grid, while outside bets are set along the borders.
The positioning highlights the difference between the two. Inside bets focus on individual numbers or smaller groups, carrying less chance of success but yielding higher returns when they do win. Outside bets apply to wider sections of the wheel, resulting in more frequent outcomes but with smaller returns.
The sections below provide a detailed explanation of these options.
Outside Betting Options
Below are the various outside bets available in roulette, each with its own characteristics and impact on the frequency of winning outcomes.
- Red or Black: A prediction on whether the ball will land in a red pocket or a black pocket. Zero (and the double zero on American wheels) is excluded, which is why these bets don’t offer a full 50% chance
- Odd or Even: A choice between all odd or all even numbers. As with red/black, the zero pockets do not belong to either category
- Low or High: Covers either the lower half of the numbers (1-18) or the upper half (19-36). Again, zero sits outside these ranges
- Dozens: Splits the layout into three groups of 12 numbers. You can bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36
- Columns: Uses the three vertical columns of numbers on the layout. Placing a chip at the base of one of these columns covers all 12 numbers in that line
Inside Betting Options
Below are the different types of inside bets available on the roulette layout.
- Straight Up: A chip is placed directly on a single number, predicting that exact pocket will be the result
- Split: Covers two adjacent numbers by placing a chip on the line between them
- Street: A bet on a horizontal row of three numbers, with the chip placed on the edge of that row
- Corner: Uses the intersection of four numbers, with the chip set on the shared corner of the square they form
- Six Line: Extends the street bet by covering two adjacent rows, for a total of six numbers. The chip is placed at the meeting point of the two rows
Payouts for Inside Bets
Straight-Up
A straight-up bet involves wagering on a single number. This type of bet offers the highest return of any standard wager at 35 to 1, though the odds of winning are low at 1 in 37 on a European wheel and 1 in 38 on an American wheel.
To work out the return, multiply your stake by 35 and add your original bet. For example, a $10 bet on number 17 that hits pays $350 in profit plus the $10 stake, for a total of $360.
Split Bet
A split bet is placed by positioning your chips on the shared line between two neighbouring numbers on the table layout, like 17 and 20 or 8 and 11. This type of wager covers both numbers.
If the bet wins, the return is 17 to 1. To work out the total, multiply your stake by 17 and then add the original amount wagered. A $10 split on 17 and 20 that wins returns $170 in profit plus the $10 stake, giving $180 in total.
Street Bet
A street bet covers three numbers in a single row. It pays 11 to 1 when it wins. To work out the total return, multiply your stake by 11 and add your original wager. For instance, a $10 street on 7-8-9 that hits pays $110 in winnings plus the $10 stake, for $120 overall.
Corner Bet
Placed on the intersection of four numbers, like 19-20-22-23, this wager pays 8 to 1. To calculate it, multiply the bet by 8 and add your stake. A $10 bet on 19-20-22-23 that wins yields $80 plus your $10 stake, for $90 total.
Six Line Bet
A six line bet is placed at the intersection where two rows meet, covering six numbers in total. It pays 5 to 1. To work out the return, multiply your stake by 5 and add your original bet. A $10 six line on 4-5-6-7-8-9 that wins produces $50 in winnings plus the $10 stake, for $60 overall.
Payouts for Outside Bets
Column Bet
A column bet covers one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers on the roulette table. If any of those numbers hits, the return is 2 to 1. To work it out, multiply your stake by 2 to get your profit, then add your original bet to find the total return. A $10 column bet that wins produces $20 in profit plus your $10 stake, giving you $30 in total.
Dozen Bet
A dozen bet covers 12 consecutive numbers, either 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. Like the column bet, it pays 2 to 1. To work out the return, multiply your stake by 2 and add your original wager. A $10 bet on the 2nd dozen that wins produces $20 in profit plus the $10 stake, for a total of $30.
Red/Black
This bet covers all 18 numbers of a chosen colour, either red or black. When it wins, it pays 1 to 1, which means your winnings are equal to your original stake. To calculate, simply add your profit (equal to your stake) to the amount you wagered. For instance, a $10 bet on red that comes through gives you $10 in profit plus the $10 stake, resulting in $20 overall.
Odd/Even
An odd/even bet covers all odd numbers or all even numbers, excluding zero. A winning odd/even wager pays 1 to 1, meaning the winnings match your original stake. A $10 bet on odd that wins gives $10 in profit plus the $10 stake, for a total of $20.
1-18/19-36 (High/Low)
A high/low bet covers the lower half of the table’s numbers (1-18) or the upper half (19-36). Like other even-money bets, a winning high/low wager pays 1 to 1, meaning the winnings match your original stake. A $10 bet on 19-36 that wins gives $10 in profit plus the $10 stake, for a total return of $20.
How to Play Roulette: Step-by-Step
Roulette follows a simple flow once you know the order of events.
The steps below outline how a round of roulette unfolds from start to finish, providing a clear picture of how to play roulette online.
- Choose Your Bet: Place chips on the layout to mark your prediction. You can select a single number, a group of numbers, or one of the outside categories like red/black or odd/even
- Spin Begins: In RNG versions, the outcome is generated quickly by the software once betting closes. In live dealer games, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and rolls the ball in the other, just as in a physical casino
- No More Bets: RNG versions automatically close betting when the spin is underway, with some also playing a recording to announce it. In live dealer games, the dealer announces when no further bets can be placed
- The Ball Lands: In live roulette, the stream shows the ball settling into a pocket. RNG games mirror this visually, showing the ball drop into a pocket on the animated wheel
- Results Announced: The winning number and colour are highlighted on the screen, and returns are applied to your balance according to the type of bet placed
- New Round Begins: The table resets, and you can place fresh predictions before the next spin
Pay Attention to Roulette Versions
Roulette comes in multiple formats, with each version introducing small but significant changes that shape how a round unfolds. The three most common are European, American, and French roulette, the first two of which we’ve already touched on earlier.
- European Roulette: Features 37 pockets, numbered 1 to 36 plus a single zero. With fewer zero pockets than the American wheel, this version offers a stronger chance of winning outcomes and a house edge of about 2.7%
- American Roulette: Adds a double zero to the layout, bringing the total number of pockets to 38. The extra pocket increases the house edge to about 5.26%, making this version less favourable compared to the European format
- French Roulette: Uses the same single-zero wheel as European roulette but includes unique rules on even-money bets. La Partage gives back half the stake on zero, while En Prison holds it for the next spin. These rules lower the house edge on those bets to about 1.35%
Mistakes to Avoid for Players New to Roulette
Beginners often fall into predictable traps when first approaching roulette. The points below highlight common errors and why avoiding them is important.
Chasing Losses
A losing streak can make it tempting to raise your bets in the hope of winning everything back at once. In reality, this often leads to deeper losses. Since roulette outcomes can’t be predicted, increasing the size of each wager has no effect on the likelihood of winning.
What it does change is how quickly your balance can run down, especially on tables without strict limits. Taking a break or stepping away is usually the better option than trying to recover through bigger bets.
Not Having a Bankroll Budgeted
Without setting limits, it’s easy to lose track of how much has been staked over multiple rounds.
Establishing a clear budget before you begin helps keep the session manageable and prevents unnecessary overspending.
A simple approach is to decide on an amount you’re comfortable using, then divide it into smaller portions for each spin. This way, the game lasts longer, and you always know where you stand.
Misunderstanding the RNG Mechanic
As already noted, computer-based versions of online roulette rely on a Random Number Generator (RNG) to decide outcomes.
The software keeps every spin independent and fair, yet it’s easy to fall into the trap of looking for patterns.
A common belief is that a number or colour is “due” if it hasn’t shown up in a while. In reality, each spin stands on its own, so past results don’t make future ones any more likely.
Not Understanding Betting Options
Roulette comes with a broad range of bet types, and skipping over how they work often leads to confusion. Since inside bets have already been shown to cover fewer numbers and outside bets cover broader sections, the key is recognizing how this affects the chances of winning. That understanding is far better than placing bets at random.
Playing Roulette Online
Roulette has seamlessly transitioned into the online space, preserving its traditional rules while introducing new formats that alter the game's play.
The sections below outline how these versions work and what sets them apart.
Traditional Rules in Online Games
Roulette online follows the same objective: predicting where the ball will land.
You still place chips on the layout, and the spin determines the winning outcome. Whether the game is run by software or a live dealer, the basic structure of betting and results remains the same.
Digital Wheels and RNG Software
As established, computer-based roulette relies on Random Number Generator (RNG) software to produce outcomes.
Instead of a physical wheel, the result is decided by the program and shown through animations that recreate the spin. This design makes every round independent while maintaining the look and feel of traditional play.
Live Dealer Roulette
Unlike computer-based versions, live dealer roulette uses an actual wheel and table, streamed from a dedicated studio. A professional dealer oversees each round, while you place bets through the online interface. The stream captures the spin and the ball coming to rest in real time, closely mirroring the pace and atmosphere of a land-based casino.
Special Features in Online Variants
Online platforms expand the range of roulette by offering more than the classic European, American, and French versions. Some variations speed up the process with shorter betting times, while others use themed tables or side features like multipliers to add variety.
While the fundamentals remain the same, these additions can change the rhythm of play and give the game a different feel.
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