Beginner’s Guide to Online Roulette

Roulette is another popular casino game available worldwide. While Blackjack takes the trophy in terms of popularity, Roulette also does a good job of keeping players entertained. Unlike games such as Poker or Blackjack, there is no skill or strategy involved in the game of Roulette.

It all boils down to patience, common sense and an element of risk. If you know the odds of each bet option and manage your bankroll well, you will be able to come out successful. That said, it is still a game of chance, so there is never any guarantee of winning. You can only boost your chances.

Roulette is quite a basic game but it still comes in a number of variations, which means different odds and chances of winning. In this guide, we will highlight everything you need to know about the game of Roulette, the various bets, rules and types of games.

How to play the game of Roulette

When it comes to playing this game, the rules are quite simple. As soon as you enter the game, whether RNG or live game, you will see a table with numbers on red or black squares.

As a player, you are invited to place bets on where you think the ball will land once the dealer spins the wheel. You can place more than one bet. In fact, you can place bets on clusters of numbers as well, until the dealer said ‘no more bets’. It is important that you amend the size of the bet as usually these are preset by the casino. Amend to a bet size you are comfortable in.

Once the dealer spins the wheel, you simply need to wait and see where the ball comes to a stop.

It should be noted that Roulette is one of those rare games that can come with very high stakes, so it is still important to have a bankroll strategy in place to ensure you have the best possible time.

Pick the game wisely, as there are many variations out there, including ones with different rules and could come with a higher house edge.

Before jumping into the different types of bets you can place in this game, we are going to highlight the different types of Roulette games available.

Different types of Online Roulette Games

One of the most difficult decisions you will have to make when it comes to this game is to pick which variations to play. There are many out there, and if you are not familiar or fail to do your research, it can prove costly.

• American Roulette: American Roulette is considered one of the riskiest options. It was first introduced in the early 19th century, and the key difference between this version and the others is the fact that it comes with an additional green double zero on the wheel as well as an American Eagle symbol. This extra double zero pocket pushes the house edge up considerable.
• European Roulette: European Roulette is by far the most preferred version of this game since it comes with a higher payout percentage. The roulette wheel comes with numbers from 1 to 36 and a single green zero pocket. It also comes with the ‘en prison’ rule. 
• French Roulette: French Roulette is very similar to the European Roulette version, except it comes with the ‘en prison’ and ‘la partage’ rules. The ‘La Partage’ rule stipulates that if the ball drops into the zero pocket, you will only lose half of your bet. On the other hand, the ‘en prison’ rule states if you place a wager on an even or odd number and the ball lands into the zero pocket, the dealer will place your wager in prison. If you succeed in winning the next round, you will get your wager back. However, if you lose, the casino will take your imprisoned wager.

The above are the most important and prevalent versions of this game. There are other types of Roulette variants that are less popular. These include:

• Mini Roulette: As the name implies, this game is simply a more compact version of the original. The Roulette wheel comes with numbers 1 to 12 and a single zero. Since you are dealing with a lower number count, the chances of hitting the single zero are also much higher.
• Mult-Wheel Roulette: This Roulette variation comes with more than one Roulette wheel, which allows players in turn to place bets on up to six wheels.
• Spingo: This game variation combines the thrills of Roulette with Bingo. The Spingo wheel comes with numbers 1 to 10 in three different colours. What happens is that the bingo part will kick off as soon as the Roulette wheel starts to spin. 
• Multi-Ball Roulette: This version sees up to three balls spin within the Roulette wheel at the same time.  You can place many bets to go hand-in-hand with the extra balls.
• Live Speed Roulette: Players who want fast-paced action will appreciate that a game round in this game can last only 25 seconds.

Different Types of Roulette Bets

Knowing which game variation of Roulette you want to play is important, but knowing the bets available will make you grasp the game and its rules better. In general, there are two types of bets available in Roulette: Inside and Outside Bets.

Outside Bets are more popular since they cover a wider range of betting options, but the payouts are also on the lower side. On the other hand, Inside Bets are known to be a little riskier and more specific. Players opting for Inside bets are placing bets on specific numbers.

Here are all the types of bets available in the game of Roulette:

Inside Bets

• Straight Up Pays 36:1:  A wager on one specific number of your choosing
• Split Bet Pays 17:1: A wager on two adjacent numbers
• Street Bet Pays 12:1: A bet on a row of three numbers as depicted on the Roulette betting table
• Corner Bet Pays 8:1: A bet on four numbers in a sequence
• Double Street Pays 5:1: A wager on two rows of three numbers as depicted on the Roulette betting table

Outside Bet

• Column Bet Pays 3:1: A wager on one of the three columns as depicted on the Roulette betting table
• Dozen Bet Pays 3:1: A bet on numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24 or 25 to 36
• Even/Odd Bet Pays 2:1: A bet on even or odd numbers. The zero green pocket is unaccounted for
• Red/Black Bet Pays 2:1: A bet on the winning number being red or black
• Low/High Bet Pays 2:1: A bet on either numbers 1 to 18 or 19 to 36

The odds of Online Roulette

Now that you know all the different types of bets you can place in the game of Roulette, you should also be aware that the odds vary depending on the game variations you are playing. Below, we have listed all the different odds for each type of bet depending on whether you are playing European or American Roulette.

Different Types of Wagering Strategies for Roulette

Roulette is a game of chance, much more than any other game available on the online gambling market. Unlike the games of Blackjack or Poker, there is very little you can do to influence the result, other than making smart bets.

Many players swear by having betting strategies, but we must inform you that you absolutely don’t need to use one unless you really want to. They are not foolproof and can end up costing you much more.

Here are some of the many betting strategies available:

• Martingale Betting System: The Martingale Betting System states that you should double your previous wager each time you lose a bet. The main premise behind it is that you won’t win each time, but you can recoup some money lost.
• Labouchere Betting System: To opt for this betting system, you would need to set the desired amount you wish to win. Depending on whether you are winning or losing, you need to arrange your bet amounts accordingly.
• D’Alembert Betting System: This system is very similar to the Martingale system. You Must similarly boost your bet size amount when you lose rounds.
• Fibonacci Betting System: Possibly the most complicated out of the bunch, the Fibonacci betting system follows a mathematical sequence. You must place your bets depending on the sequence. If you win a round, you can proceed with the next succeeding number. If you lose a round, you move back two steps in the sequence.

Online Roulette vs Live Roulette vs Land-Based Roulette

Depending on what you are after, there are many types of settings you can opt for. If you want the convenience to play anytime and anywhere you want, then opting for online or Live Roulette would be ideal. Not only are they available around the clock, but they also allow you to enjoy faster gameplay.

If you are seeking a more authentic live gambling experience, opting for live roulette provides you with all the thrills without inconveniencing you.  Similarly, some Roulette variations are not available at land-based casinos, so if you are looking for better options, you may have to head online.

In conclusion, Roulette may be intimidating to some players especially if you are playing for the first time. It is actually far more straightforward than many other games on the market. If you are not quite sure, many online casino sites allow you to play RNG versions of Roulette in free demo mode. This way, you can get a good feel of how the game works out.

If you want to play Live Roulette, you also have the option to sit in on some sessions so you can watch other players as they play their rounds.

If you are looking to claim a casino bonus, you should also be mindful of the fact that many online casino bonuses exempt card and table games such as Roulette. Many also allow these games, but they may contribute the full 100% to the wagering requirements.

Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before claiming any casino bonus.