An In-Depth Analysis of How to Play Roulette

The desire to want to learn how to play roulette is understandable given the popularity of the game. Any online casino that you log into, you are bound to find a roulette game or two. Gamblers have been playing the table game for ages, so it’s not unforeseen that it has grown more prominent with time. The dramatic rise of online gambling over the past several years has made games like roulette readily accessible to fans globally. Online roulette is available in different variations for real money and free gaming at the best gambling websites. This guide is a detailed how-to for roulette gaming where beginners can learn a few basics.

How to Play Roulette – Basic Rules and Roulette Terms

Are you completely new to roulette or are you looking for a quick refresher? Whatever the case, you should start by learning the rules of the game. Roulette is a chance game where you have to guess where the ball lands after the wheel stops spinning. The game has a wheel with numbers, which will be discussed further later. It also consists of a table where players place bets.

You have to bet on a number, combination of numbers or section where you think the ball will land. You receive a payout if the ball lands in the pocket that you predicted. In online roulette, a button starts the game while in live roulette, a dealer spins the wheel. Be aware that different games of roulette might have slight rule variations.

When playing roulette, you will come across different terms that you should be familiar with to help make informed decisions. They include:

La Partage – Also called surrender in some regions, this rule allows you to get half of your stake back when the ball lands on zero. It applies to even money bets.
En Prison – When the ball ends up in the zero pocket, you get to leave half of your bet on the table (in prison) for the next round.
Orphans – Usually used in European casinos, it refers to a wager on three numbers that are neighbors on the wheel – 6, 34, 17.
Double zero – The 00 section that is only found in American roulette, indicating that the game has two zero pockets.

Roulette Table Layout

Roulette consists of a table whose layout is consistent whether playing online or offline. Studying the table layout is a critical aspect of how to play roulette. A roulette table features the numbers on the wheel. In European roulette and any other variant with a single zero, the layout contains 37 numbers. An American roulette table has 38 numbers due to the double zero. The numbers interchange between red and black, while the zero section is in green.

So, it has 18 of each. Three columns divide the numbers into dozens with markings for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 12. It also includes sectors where even, odd, red, and black bets are placed. The zero is on the left side of the layout. Note that a French roulette table is labeled in French. Therefore, you should know the corresponding bets in this variant.

Roulette Wheel

If you are to understand how to place your bets in online roulette, then you must know about the wheel structure. A quick glance at roulette gives the impression that the numbers around the wheel are random, but they aren’t. Their numerical values don’t influence the setup either. The roulette wheel contains pockets where the ball is supposed to land after each spin. American roulette has 38 pockets; 1-36, 0, and 00.

The zero pockets are green, while the other numbers are divided equally between red and black. Since it contains a single zero, European roulette has 37 pockets. A keen look shows that an odd number is almost directly opposite an even one. The modern design of roulette wheels is meant to eliminate bias as much as possible. In online roulette, a random number generator built into the system ensures that every outcome is truly random.

Types of Bets

One draw of playing online roulette is that players have a host of bets from which to pick. The odds of winning and payouts vary with the type of bet. For that reason, you must be smart about the wagers you make in a particular game. In roulette, you can bet on one number, a combination of numbers, or a section of the table. Consider your bankroll and experience when choosing bets. Below are the main categories of roulette bets.

Inside bets

These bets are the ones wagered on the number section of the table. The bets are placed on one or several numbers. Inside bets pay handsomely, but the odds of landing one are low. Here are the main inside bets in roulette, we have included the corresponding French roulette versions:

Straight up – (En Plein) This wager covers a single number and pays 35:1.
Split bet – (A Cheval) A number bet that covers two selections with a payout of 17:1.
Street – (Transversal) It’s a three number bet where the chip sits on the outside border of the three picks. It pays 11:1.
The Corner – (Carre) The bet is on four numbers that form a square on the layout. It pays 8:1.
The Beast – Also called the Monster or five-number bet, this one consists of five specific numbers – 1, 2, 3 and two zeros. It’s only available in the American version and pays 6:1.
Line bet – (Sixain) Also called a Sixline, this wager is on six numbers. You have to place the chip on the outside borders of the six picks. The payout in a line bet is 5:1.

Outside bets

These wagers require you to bet on the outside sector of the layout, away from the number fields. This region contains different groups of numbers. The probability of the ball landing on outside bets is high, but the payouts are small. Below are the available outside bets.

Red or Black – (Rouge et Noir) The bet is on the colour of the winning number. It returns even money.
Odd or Even – (Impair et Pair) In this even money wager, you are betting the ball to land on the even or odd section of the layout. You lose if 0 or 00 hits.
High or Low – (Passe et Manque) The prediction is that the ball ends up on the lower (1-18) or higher (19-36) side of the layout. This bet pays even money.
Dozens – (Douzaine) You bet on the dozens sectors of the layout. A bet wins if any number on your chosen dozen (1st, 2nd or 3rd) hits. The payout is 2:1.
Columns – (Colonne) Your wager is on a number in one of the columns. 0 and 00 are not in any column and, so don’t count. The bet pays 2:1.

Odds of winning and Roulette House Edge

When studying how to play roulette, you must know the winning chances of individual bets so that you can select the best ones. The mathematical probability of winning each roulette bet is different, which can make the game a bit confusing. Winning odds also depend on the variant. Even money bets have a winning probability of close to 50% since they encompass half of the selections. In single-zero roulette, the odds are 48.60% and 47.4% when playing with a double zero. Columns and dozens have odds of 32.40% in European and 31.6% in American. The odds for inside bets in European and American wheels respectively are:

2.70% and 2.60% for a single number.
5.4% and 5.3% for two numbers.
8.1% and 7.9% for three numbers.
10.8% and 10.5% for four numbers.
13.5% and 13.2% for five numbers.
16.2% and 15.8% for six numbers.

The house edge is another critical factor to consider in online roulette. Every game has a mathematical advantage for the casino, which is how the house makes money. Hence, the house edge means that a wager pays less than its true worth. American roulette has the highest house advantage at 5.26% due to the double zero on the roulette wheel. The house edge for European is 2.70% while French roulette drops to 1.35% thanks to En Prison and La Partage.

How to place a bet?

Once you understand the different roulette bets, placing one is easy enough.

First, you have to decide on the number, combination of numbers, or sector on which you intend to wager.

Then pick the stake that you wish to place on a particular bet.

Place the wager on the relevant part of the layout.

Wait for the automatic spinning of the wheel to reveal the winning digit.

If you win, the game pays according to the odds.

Online roulette variants

As you study how to play roulette, you will want to try different versions of the popular table game. Fortunately, online casinos have more than enough choices for players. Wherever you are on the learning curve, expect to find a roulette option that matches your skills. Online casinos fueled the development of new roulette variants.

So, apart from the standard alternatives, players have unique titles that provide a fresh twist on the classic casino game. The variety of roulette games online depends on the gambling website that you select. Players can opt to gamble for free or for real money. Roulette games are also available to play on mobile via apps or responsive websites.

Live Roulette

One type of game that online casinos popularised is live dealer roulette. With these games, you get the same offerings except with the addition of human dealers. Also called a croupier, the dealer calls the game and spins the wheel just like in a brick-and-mortar casino. Therefore, players get to experience the realism of a conventional roulette lounge while enjoying the benefits of playing online.

With live roulette, you get to interact with the croupiers and other players, thus eliminating boredom. Another advantage is that the outcomes are in real-time. Live dealers titles are available for the main roulette variants, namely European, American and French. Gamblers also have an array of unique titles that comes with additional features.

Online roulette betting strategy and tips

Every beginner who is still discovering how to play roulette wants to know if there is a way to improve one’s winning chances. You should always have a strategy for whatever casino game you are playing. Players cannot do much in games of chance like roulette. Nevertheless, they can still find ways to minimize their losses. Grasping roulette basics is paramount, but you can do a bit more to leverage the winning odds in each wager. We included some tips to help roulette players with their wagering decisions.

Learn the rules of the roulette variant you want to play

Before anything else, you have to decide which roulette variant you prefer. Consider the complexity and budgetary requirements of different variations. Once you settle on a game, ensure that you learn the rules. If you are to know the best bets in a certain title, then you must understand how it works first. So, research games thoroughly beforehand. Remember that the wheel and layout are different when playing with a single number zero or double zero. Watch out for any special rules like La Partage and En Prison.

Try roulette free games

Practice is an essential aspect of how to play roulette. Familiarising yourself with the rules is only possible if you actually do it, not just theorizing. Freeplay is one of the most effective ways to learn any game. It lets players gamble without fretting about losing money. Casino games usually have demo versions that include all the standard features. You can play demos with virtual money, which is a good way to test different kinds of games. If you wish to experiment with combination wagers, free games make it easy.

Play outside bets

Most players look for the highest winning odds. In roulette, inside bets provide better probabilities than outside wagers. The wagers cover groups, which increases the chances of winning. Thus, players, especially novices, should consider these alternatives. Consider playing the table minimum limit to keep your risks low. A majority of inside wagers pay even money, which means that the returns are small. However, they are safe and, hence, perfect for low-risk players.

Bankroll management

We advise gamblers to watch their finances at all times. The automatic nature of roulette online can make it easy to lose sight of your wagers, causing you to bet more than you had anticipated. Therefore, be cautious about how you spend money, particularly when using a betting system. Firstly, have a budget according to your financial status. Secondly, decide on unit stakes that correspond with the budget. Thirdly, set bet limits and stick to them. Lastly, avoid chasing losses because that is the quickest way to run through your bankroll.

Conclusion

Roulette is among the top table games at casino sites for good reasons. It is a fun and entertaining gambling option that always has something to offer. Despite relying on luck, roulette can offer great excitement thanks to the different types available. Whether you prefer a high volatility game or something safer, you can easily find suitable roulette online variants. Ensure that you play roulette at licenced and regulated sites to guarantee the quality and fairness of games.

FAQ

Is it difficult to learn to play roulette?

Since it’s a game of chance, roulette is not a difficult game to learn. You only have to know the various bet types available for certain variants. Also, you need to study the winning probabilities and the payouts.

What is the best wager in European roulette?

A number bet pays the highest in single zero roulette (35:1). However, the chances of hitting one are low. Even money bets, such as even or odd, red or black and high or low have an almost 50% winning probability in European roulette, and hence are better.

Can I increase my chances of winning at roulette online?

Because roulette relies on luck, you can’t do anything to influence the results. However, different strategies can help reduce your losses and maximise winning probabilities. Consider some of the tips provided in this guide.

Can I win more if I play live roulette?

Live roulette tends to have high table limits. Therefore, wagering on these games means large potential returns if you win. However, payouts depend on the types of bets, the variants, and the stake you put up.

Do I have to download special software to play online roulette?

Although some online casinos might require users to download clients to access games of roulette, it’s not mandatory. You can play roulette for free or real money straight from a gaming site.

What roulette version has the lowest house advantage?

The house edge is lowest in French roulette at 1.35%. Besides the single zero, this version includes La Partage and En Prison, which are special rules that dictate the outcome when the ball hits zero, thus lowering the house edge.

How much can you win from the green sector?

In American roulette, wagering on green (0, 00) pays out 35 to 1 if your bet hits. Betting a row, meaning both 0 and 00, pays out 17 to 1. If you bet on zero in European roulette, then the payout would be 35 to 1.