How to Play Roulette: Rules, Bets, & How it Works
Roulette is one of the simpler online casino games available. Instead of lots of complex rules like you’d find with Craps or Poker, all you need to do is place a bet, watch the wheel spin, and see if you’ve won. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a simple game that is still interesting.
It has a wide range of betting options, so there’s plenty of variety on show. You can place multiple bets if you want some extra wiggle room when making choices. Roulette also has software and live dealer versions, which means you can experience it however you like.
You can try Roulette for free in demo mode, making it easy to play Roulette online with no risk. It’s the ideal way to learn how to play without blowing through your bankroll before you fully understand it.
What Is Roulette?
Roulette is a simple game to understand. There’s a wheel with 37 or 38 pockets, all of which have numbers attached. A ball is dropped into the wheel while it spins, and you place a bet on where you think it will land. If you get it right, you win; if you get it wrong, you lose.
There are plenty of different bets available, so you don’t have to get the exact number right. Playing Roulette in a casino will give you a real wheel that spins for each round. Playing online doesn’t always work this way, however. If you play a live dealer version of the game, you may get a real wheel, but software-powered games use a random number generator (RNG) to decide where the ball lands. It’s essentially an identical experience, but it’s not as lively as a real wheel.
Roulette Wheel & Table Layout Explained
The Roulette wheel features all of the numbers from 0 to 36. The zero is a green space, while the rest alternate between red and black and even and odd numbers. However, the numbers aren’t listed in order on a Roulette wheel. Instead, they’re placed on the wheel in a non-sequential order to increase randomness. The American wheel has two zero spaces, which means it has 38 spaces instead of 37.
The table layout features the range of bets, which include:
- Inside bets
- Outside bets
- Zeros, depending on the version
When you play online Roulette, the table layout is extremely simple to follow. This makes it an excellent way for beginners to get used to playing.
Roulette Rules - Step By Step
If you’re new to playing Roulette, our step-by-step guide will make it simple to place your bets and get started.
Choose your bets Set your stake by placing chips on your desired bet positions Watch the dealer spin the wheel Wait for the ball to land in a pocket All winning bets are paid out
Types of Roulette Bets & Payouts
When most people think of Roulette, they tend to think of betting on a single number. However, there are several other possibilities. We’ve put together a rapid-fire guide to Roulette bets and what they pay so you can easily understand how it works.
Inside Bets
These are the higher-paying bets, which means they have higher levels of risk attached. These bets won’t typically be covered in Roulette strategy basics, but they are still popular choices for many players. Straight-up: This is a bet on a single number. It’s the most difficult bet to land, and it pays out 35/1. Split: This is a bet on two numbers that are joined on the table, either horizontally or vertically. It pays out 17/1. Street: A street is any three horizontal numbers, like walking down the street. It pays out 11/1. Corner: This is a bet on any four numbers in a square, and it pays out 8/1. Double Street: This is two lines of three numbers – six in total – and it pays out 5/1.
The numbers are all set out in order on the table, so it’s easy to spot what you’re going to play. If you want to place multiple straight-up bets, you can, but keep in mind that this increases the overall stake and can’t be done as a single bet like a split, street, corner, or double street.
Outside Bets
Outside bets have lower payouts than those offered by inside bets, but they come with a better chance of landing. They’re typically the lowest house edge bets, making them lower-risk options. Red/Black: A bet on whether the ball will land on red or black. It pays out evens. Odd/Even: A bet on whether the ball will land on an odd or even number. It pays out evens. High/Low: This is a bet on either 1-18 or 19-36, and it pays out evens. Dozens & Columns: These are selections of 12 numbers, either set out as a choice of 12 connected numbers or columns going from 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. They pay out 2/1.
Outside bets tend to be popular with new players because they’re simpler to understand and offer lower risk. They can also be used with Roulette strategies, which can help beginner players get used to the game.
American vs European Roulette
Both American and European Roulette are popular among players. Let’s take a look at what sets them apart.
European Roulette
European Roulette has a single zero space on the wheel, which means the house edge is lower than it is in American Roulette. It’s more common online, making it easier to pick up and start playing. Most online European Roulette variations have a demo mode available, which allows new players to test the game before playing with real stakes.
American Roulette
The biggest difference between the two games is the double zero space. This nearly doubles the house edge, making American Roulette a riskier option regardless of the bet choices you make. Although it is less common when playing online, it’s the most popular way to play at US land-based casinos.
How to Play Roulette Online
The first step in playing Roulette online is finding a trusted online casino. These will feature legitimate games, encrypted connections, and trustworthy payment providers. A legitimate online casino will also carry out regular audits to make sure the games are fair. You’ll get a choice between software Roulette, which is powered by an RNG, or live dealer Roulette, which uses a real dealer.
After choosing your casino and game, it’s time to start playing. If you are playing on a mobile device, make sure it’s compatible before you try to play. After loading the game, you set your stake, choose your bet, and wait for the wheel to spin.
If you’re ready to get started, you can play Roulette now!
Basic Roulette Tips for Beginners
There is no way to guarantee a successful strategy in Roulette, but you can increase your chances of having an interesting experience. Our tips make it easy to start playing while focusing on entertainment. Make sure you understand what each bet is before you start playing. Keep your bankroll in check by keeping bets in line with your budget. Choose European roulette because it has a lower house edge. Set time and spending limits to ensure you don’t get drawn into chasing losses.
Live Roulette vs Online RNG Roulette
There are some differences between live and software Roulette that you should be aware of, even though they’re essentially the same game.
RNG Roulette
This is powered by RNG software and doesn’t use a real physics-based wheel. As a result, it’s a faster-paced game that provides nearly instant results after spinning. The minimum stakes are often much lower.
Live Dealer Roulette
This is the closest you can get to playing in a brick-and-mortar casino without leaving the house. It uses a real wheel and a real dealer, so it provides a more immersive experience.