How to Play Roulette Online
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the basics of roulette rules and the subtle differences between the many variations of this classic casino game. So, if you’ve ever wondered how does roulette work, you’ll be able to start placing your bets at the table with confidence in no time.
What is Roulette? A Quick Introduction
Roulette is a classic casino game known for its simple rules and widespread popularity in both online and land-based casinos. The game centres around a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets ranging from 1 to 36. The pockets are coloured red and black alternately, with one or two green pockets included depending on the variant you are playing. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning, making it an exciting game of chance.
Attached to the wheel is a table that mirrors the numbers and colours of the wheel. This is where players place their bets using chips of numerous values. The dealer spins the wheel and flicks a little white ball around the top edge of the wheel in the opposite direction. As the ball slows down, it bounces onto the wheel, eventually settling into one of the pockets to determine the winning number and colour.
History of Roulette
The origins of roulette can be traced back to 18th-century France and the word actually translates as ‘little wheel’ in French. A novel published in 1796 mentions a roulette wheel being enjoyed by adoring crowds at the Palais Royal in Paris.
Key Elements of a Roulette Game
- The Wheel: The iconic heart of a roulette game, featuring numbered and coloured pockets.
- The Ball: Where it lands on the wheel will determine the winning number and colour.
- The Roulette Table: A grid of numbered boxes where you place your bets. It’s divided into inside and outside betting areas, more on that later.
- The Dealer: The person who spins the wheel and oversees the game. In roulette, they don’t actually deal with anything as no cards are involved in the game.
How to Play Roulette: Basic Rules Explained
If you watch a roulette game in progress, it can look a bit bewildering at first. In this section, we’ll break down how the game works so that you can get a handle on the action, even as a complete newbie.
The Objective of Roulette
The aim of roulette is simple: guess where the ball will land after the wheel has stopped spinning. You can bet on a specific number, a range of numbers, or more general categories such as red or black.
The more precise you can make your guess, the bigger the potential payout will be. For example, betting on a single number will have a larger potential reward than betting on a range of numbers or a colour.
The Structure of the Roulette Wheel
Roulette comes in two main variants, American and European, with the layout of the wheel differing slightly between versions.
- European Roulette Wheel
- American Roulette Wheel
Features 37 pockets (1 to 36 and a single green 0). It offers better odds to you as a player, with a house edge of just 2.7%
Has 38 pockets, all the same ones as a European wheel with an extra green 00. This increases the house edge to 5.26%, making it less favourable for players.
Given the difference in house edge, i.e. the chances of the casino winning and not you, it’s best to opt for European roulette if possible anytime you play online.
The Roulette Table Layout
The roulette betting table reflects the numbers and colours you’ll see on the wheel. It also has areas below the numbered grid for what are known as inside and outside bets. Here’s what these terms mean:
- Inside Bets: These are bets you can place on specific numbers or combinations of numbers. They are typically placed within or on the lines of the main box of coloured numbers. These bets have higher payouts but lower chances of occurring.
- Outside Bets: These are the boxes you’ll see around the outside of the main black and red numbers box. They cover broader betting categories like red/black pockets or odd/even numbers. While payouts are smaller, your odds of a win occurring on these bets are much higher.
Types of Roulette Bets: A Quick Guide
As we’ve mentioned, there are two main types of bets in roulette, inside and outside. Each of these categories has multiple betting possibilities, so here’s a breakdown of all the ways you can place your chips on a roulette table before the wheel begins to spin. Plus, we’ve included the roulette payouts you can expect.
Inside Bets Explained
| Name of Bet | Action and outcome | Roulette payouts |
| Straight-Up Bet | You bet on a single number. | 35:1 |
| Split Bet | You bet on two adjacent numbers. | 17:1 |
| Street Bet | You bet on a row, or street, of three numbers. | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet | You bet on four numbers that form a square. | 8:1 |
| Five-Number Bet | Available only in American roulette, a bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. | 6:1 |
| Line Bet | Where you bet on six numbers across two rows. | 5:1 |
Outside Bets Explained
| Name of Bet | Action and outcome | Roulette payouts |
| Red/Black | Where you bet on the colour of the winning pocket. | 1:1 |
| Odd/Even | Bet on whether the winning number is odd or even. | 1:1 |
| High/Low | A bet on the low (1-18) or high numbers (19-36). | 1:1 |
| Dozens | When you bet on groups of 12 numbers. | 2:1 |
| Columns | Bet on one of the three vertical columns of numbers. | 2:1 |
If you want to go deeper into the odds of roulette and how they impact the way you play, take a quick look at our dedicated Roulette Odds Explained article.
How to Play Roulette Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve never played roulette before, we’re here to help you get started. Just follow the three main steps outlined below and you’ll be placing bets on the roulette table like a pro before you know it.
Sign Up and Deposit
First things first, you’ll need to find a trustworthy UK online casino with live dealer online poker.
We can help you with this because our experts have picked the Best Roulette Casinos for you to join. They have reviewed and rated all aspects of these sites to ensure they are fully licenced, and welcoming, and come with some fantastic sign-up bonuses to boost your play.
Once you’ve picked an online casino from our list, all you need to do is tap ‘Join’ to begin the signup process. They’ll only need a few details from you to create your new account and then you can log in and head to the cashier section.
Pick your preferred payment provider, i.e. debit card, PayPal, or e-wallet, and deposit the amount you wish. Just be sure to make the minimum required, this is typically £10 or more.
Pick Your Roulette Table
There are a few things to look out for when searching for a roulette table to join at any UK online casino. Here are the three main factors you should consider before you commit to a specific live dealer roulette table.
Table Limits: Kick off with low-stakes tables if you’re a newbie. This helps to minimise the risks involved.
Return to Player Percentage: European roulette tables generally have a better return-to-player percentage and lower house edge, making them better for beginners.
Roulette Variants: Experiment with different versions like Live Dealer Roulette or Lightning Roulette to add an extra dimension and greater win potential to your games.
Start Placing Roulette Bets
Once you’ve found a table you’re happy with, it’s time to select the amount of chips that you wish to bet with. These are typically displayed below the table and display the amounts when you hover over them.
Once a round ends, you’ll see a countdown timer displayed. You need to place your bets ready for the next game before this timer gets to zero.
Tap on the chips that equal the amount you wish to bet and then on the section of table with the bet you want to place. If you place a bet by mistake, you can undo it by tapping on it again before the timer runs out.
Then just sit back and watch the wheel spin, while keeping everything crossed that your bet comes in!
Tips for Playing Roulette Online
We want to help you get the most out of your games anytime you pull up a virtual stool at an online roulette table. So we’ve compiled the following quick roulette tips to put you ahead of the pack at any UK online casino from this day forward.
- Always Manage Your Budget: You must decide how much money you want to allocate to your roulette gaming. Therefore, choose a bankroll number and stick to it, even if it means shorter gaming sessions when things don’t go your way. We cannot overstate this enough, you should never chase losses when gambling online. If you feel like you want or need to then seek help as soon as possible.
- Understand the House Edge: European roulette rules will give you better odds and therefore a lower house edge, than American roulette. It’s a case of 2.7% versus 5.26%. So, we’d recommend starting with this variant first.
- Begin with Even-Money Bets: Placing outside bets, such as odd/even, red/black, or high/low, is the ideal approach for beginners. These bets will give you a near 50/50 chance of winning, minus the house edge. You can build up to placing more advanced bets in time.
- Try Out Different Strategies: There are lots of legendary roulette strategies from down the ages, such as The Martingale, Fibonacci, and James Bond. They can provide a useful structure to your bets. That said, it’s vital that you always remember there’s no guaranteed way to win when playing roulette!
- Enjoy It: Finally, it’s important to remember that roulette is 100% a game of chance. All you can do is place your bets, watch the wheel and enjoy the experience. Don’t put too much pressure on the outcome or it can quickly stop being fun.
How to Play Roulette FAQs
What is the difference between European and American Roulette?
European roulette has a single zero (0) and a lower house edge (2.7%), while American roulette has an additional double zero (00), increasing the house edge to 5.26%. The lower house edge makes European the best way to play roulette for beginners.
What are inside and outside bets in roulette?
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or smaller groups of numbers within the box of black and red numbers on the table. They can offer higher payouts as you are betting on more specific outcomes. Outside bets cover larger categories around the edge of the roulette table, such as red/black or odd/even and have lower payouts but better overall odds.
What is the best roulette strategy?
When learning how to play roulette, it’s important to understand that roulette is 100% a game of chance and there’s no foolproof strategy to win. Classic roulette strategies, like the Martingale or Fibonacci, can help you manage your bets but they will never guarantee wins.