How to Play Roulette: Complete Online Guide
Roulette has been spinning its way through casinos for centuries, captivating players with its elegant simplicity and heart-pounding suspense. Like a first date, it’s easy to understand but still manages to produce sweaty palms. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about playing roulette online, from basic rules to strategies that might have you feeling like James Bond (results not guaranteed, tuxedo not included).
What is Roulette?
Roulette is a casino game named after the French word for “little wheel.” Players place bets on either a single number, various groupings of numbers, red or black colors, odd or even numbers, or whether the numbers will be high (19-36) or low (1-18).
The croupier (dealer) spins a wheel in one direction and then spins a ball in the opposite direction. The ball eventually loses momentum and falls into one of the 37 or 38 numbered and colored pockets on the wheel. If your bet covers the number or category where the ball lands, you win.
Types of Roulette
Not all roulette wheels are created equal. Understanding the variations can save you from awkwardly asking why there’s a double zero on your wheel.
European Roulette
European Roulette features a wheel with 37 pockets:
- Numbers 1-36 (alternating red and black)
- A single green zero (0)
With only one zero, European Roulette offers a more favorable house edge of 2.7%, making it generally the preferred version for players who like to keep more of their money.
American Roulette
American Roulette wheels contain 38 pockets:
- Numbers 1-36 (alternating red and black)
- A single green zero (0)
- An additional green double zero (00)
This extra zero nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%. Think of it as paying extra for the American experience – something we usually reserve for tourist attractions and healthcare.
French Roulette
French Roulette uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European Roulette but adds two beneficial rules:
- “La Partage”: If you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you only lose half your bet
- “En Prison”: Similar to La Partage, but your bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin for a second chance
These rules reduce the house edge to a mere 1.35% on even-money bets, making it the best version for players. It’s like finding a unicorn in the casino world – rare but wonderful when you spot one.
Roulette Table Layout
The roulette table layout allows for various betting options, arranged in a way that might initially seem more complex than flat-pack furniture instructions. However, it quickly makes sense once you understand the patterns.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers:
- Straight/Single: Bet on a single number (35:1 payout)
- Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers (17:1 payout)
- Street: Bet on three numbers in a horizontal line (11:1 payout)
- Corner/Square: Bet on four numbers that meet at a corner (8:1 payout)
- Six Line: Bet on six numbers from two adjacent horizontal lines (5:1 payout)
- Trio: Bet on three numbers including at least one zero (11:1 payout)
- Basket: In American Roulette, a bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 (6:1 payout)
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers:
- Red/Black: Bet on all red or all black numbers (1:1 payout)
- Odd/Even: Bet on all odd or all even numbers (1:1 payout)
- High/Low: Bet on numbers 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high) (1:1 payout)
- Dozens: Bet on numbers 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 (2:1 payout)
- Columns: Bet on one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers (2:1 payout)
Online Roulette vs. Live Dealer Roulette
Online roulette comes in two main flavors, much like ice cream – though significantly less tasty.
Standard Online Roulette
Standard online roulette uses a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine outcomes:
Pros:
- Play at your own pace
- Lower minimum bets
- Available 24/7
- No waiting for other players
- Ideal for beginners practicing without pressure
Cons:
- Less social interaction
- Some players question the randomness (though reputable casinos use certified RNGs)
- Lacks the tactile experience of watching a physical wheel
Live Dealer Roulette
Live dealer roulette streams a real human dealer spinning an actual roulette wheel:
Pros:
- Authentic casino atmosphere
- Real human interaction
- Physical wheel and ball create genuine randomness
- Chat functions allow player interaction
- The closest experience to a physical casino
Cons:
- Usually has higher minimum bets
- Slower game pace
- Dependent on your internet connection
- Limited seats during peak times
If standard online roulette is like texting, live dealer is like a video call – more engaging but also more demanding of your time and resources.
How to Play Roulette Online
Playing online roulette is easier than explaining cryptocurrency to your grandparents. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose your game variant: Select European Roulette where possible for better odds.
- Set your bet size: Use the chip denominations to select how much you want to bet.
- Place your bets: Click on the roulette table where you want to place your chips. You can place multiple bets on a single spin.
- Spin the wheel: Click the ‘Spin’ button when you’re ready.
- Wait for the outcome: The ball will spin and eventually land in a pocket.
- Collect winnings or place new bets: Any winnings are automatically calculated and added to your balance.
Common Roulette Strategies
While no strategy can overcome the house edge in the long run (if there were, casinos would be converted into mini-golf courses by now), these approaches might structure your play:
The Martingale System
Perhaps the most famous betting strategy, the Martingale involves:
- Doubling your bet after each loss
- Returning to your original bet amount after a win
Example: Bet $5 on red. If you lose, bet $10 on red. If you lose again, bet $20, and so on.
The theory is that when you eventually win, you’ll recover all previous losses plus a profit equal to your original bet. The catch? A few consecutive losses can lead to astronomically high bets, and table limits exist specifically to defeat this strategy. It’s like bringing a ladder to climb over a wall, only to find the wall gets taller each time you try.
The D’Alembert System
A gentler progression system:
- Increase your bet by one unit after a loss
- Decrease your bet by one unit after a win
Example: Start with $5 on black. If you lose, bet $6. If you then win, go back to $5.
This creates a less dramatic betting pattern than the Martingale but still can’t overcome the house edge. Think of it as bringing a stepladder instead of an extension ladder to that growing wall.
The Fibonacci System
Based on the famous Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc.):
- Move one step up the sequence after a loss
- Move two steps back after a win
Example: Start with $1. If you lose, bet $1 again. If you lose again, bet $2, then $3, etc.
It’s less aggressive than the Martingale but can still lead to substantial bets after a losing streak. At least you’re combining gambling with a math lesson – education never stops!
The James Bond Strategy
A fixed betting pattern covering more than half the wheel:
- 70% of your budget on high numbers (19-36)
- 25% on six numbers (13-18)
- 5% on zero for insurance
For example, with a $100 budget, bet $70 on high, $25 on the six-line, and $5 on zero.
This strategy gives you a high probability of winning on each spin but doesn’t change the house edge. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to improve your chances – it looks impressive but doesn’t actually help.
Tips for Playing Online Roulette
- Choose European or French Roulette: The lower house edge significantly improves your chances over time.
- Set a budget: Decide how much you’re willing to lose before you start and stick to it.
- Understand the odds: Know the probability of your bets hitting and their respective payouts.
- Practice for free: Many online casinos offer free play options to practice without risking money.
- Avoid betting systems promising guaranteed wins: If someone had truly “cracked” roulette, they’d be on a yacht, not selling a $19.99 e-book.
- Take advantage of bonuses: Many online casinos offer bonuses that can extend your playing time.
- Know when to walk away: Set win goals as well as loss limits.
Roulette Etiquette for Live Dealer Games
When playing live dealer roulette online:
- Be respectful to the dealer: They’re real people working a job.
- Don’t blame the dealer for losses: The wheel doesn’t have it out for you personally.
- Avoid monopolizing the chat: Nobody likes the person who treats the chat box like their personal therapy session.
- Make betting decisions promptly: Other players are waiting.
- Tip if there’s an option: Just as you would in a physical casino.
Common Roulette Myths Debunked
“The wheel has memory”
Each spin is an independent event. The wheel doesn’t “remember” previous outcomes. Just because red has appeared 10 times in a row doesn’t make black “due” – that’s the gambler’s fallacy at work.
“Casinos manipulate online roulette”
Licensed online casinos use certified RNG systems that are regularly audited. They don’t need to manipulate individual games – the house edge ensures their profit over time.
“My system beats the odds”
No betting system can overcome the mathematical house edge in the long run. If they did, casinos would ban them or change the rules.
Conclusion
Roulette’s beauty lies in its simplicity and the excitement of watching the ball dance around the wheel before settling into its final position. Whether you prefer the rapid-fire pace of RNG online roulette or the social atmosphere of live dealer games, understanding the rules and odds will enhance your experience.
Remember that roulette is ultimately a game of chance, designed with a house edge that cannot be overcome in the long run. Play for entertainment, set reasonable limits, and consider any wins a happy bonus rather than an expected outcome.
Now that you’re armed with knowledge about how to play roulette, you can approach the virtual felt with confidence – just don’t bet the mortgage on your “lucky” number. The house always has the mathematical advantage, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride and occasionally walk away a winner.