Ultimate Guide to Online Roulette

How to Play Online Roulette

Roulette is a game of pure chance centered around a spinning wheel. The goal is to correctly predict which numbered pocket the ball will land in. The gameplay is straightforward:

1. Place Your Bets: You place chips on the roulette table, betting on a single number, a group of numbers, or a proposition like Red/Black or Odd/Even.
2. The Wheel Spins: The croupier (or the software in online versions) spins the roulette wheel in one direction and a small ball in the opposite direction.
3. The Result: The ball eventually loses momentum and falls into one of the numbered pockets on the wheel.
4. Payouts: If the ball lands on a number or color you bet on, you win! Losing bets are cleared from the table.

The History of Roulette

The story of roulette begins in 17th century France. The famous mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal inadvertently invented a primitive form of the roulette wheel while trying to create a perpetual motion machine. The game in its current form became popular in Parisian casinos around 1796. Early versions had both a single zero and a double zero pocket. In 1843, Frenchmen François and Louis Blanc introduced a single-zero wheel to compete against other casinos offering the double-zero wheel. This new version had a lower house edge and quickly became the dominant form across Europe. The double-zero version, however, traveled to America and became the standard there, which is why we have different variations today.

When did roulette appear at online casinos?

As one of the "big three" casino games alongside blackjack and slots, roulette was an essential part of the very first online casinos that launched in the mid-1990s. The first online casino software, developed by Microgaming in 1994, included a basic, digital version of roulette. These early RNG-based games were simple but effectively captured the core appeal of the game, making it an instant hit with the first generation of online players.

Roulette Variations: European vs. American

The most important difference between roulette variations is the number of zero pockets on the wheel, which directly affects the odds and the house edge.

European Roulette

This is the most popular version worldwide. The wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 1-36 and a single green zero (0). The presence of only one zero gives the house an edge of 2.7%. The Return to Player (RTP) is therefore 97.3%, making it a very player-friendly game.

American Roulette

The key difference in American roulette is an additional pocket: the double zero (00). This brings the total number of pockets to 38. While payouts remain the same, the extra zero almost doubles the house edge to 5.26%, for an RTP of 94.74%. For this reason, knowledgeable players almost always prefer the European version.

French Roulette

French Roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European Roulette but includes two favorable rules for players making even-money bets (like Red/Black or Odd/Even):

• La Partage: If the ball lands on zero, you get half of your even-money bet back.
• En Prison: Your even-money bet is "imprisoned" for another spin. If you win the next spin, you get your full stake back.

These rules cut the house edge on even-money bets in half, down to just 1.35%.

Live Dealer Roulette

Live dealer roulette bridges the gap between online casinos and brick-and-mortar establishments. A real human croupier operates a physical roulette wheel from a studio, and the action is streamed to your device in high-definition. You place bets using a digital interface, but the result is determined by a real wheel and ball. It offers an authentic and immersive experience and is a fantastic way to enjoy the game.

Types of Bets and Payouts

Roulette bets are divided into two main categories: inside bets and outside bets.

Inside Bets (Higher Risk, Higher Payout)

• Straight Up: A bet on a single number. Payout: 35 to 1.
• Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers. Payout: 17 to 1.
• Street: A bet on a row of three numbers. Payout: 11 to 1.
• Corner: A bet on a square of four numbers. Payout: 8 to 1.
• Six Line: A bet on two adjacent rows of three numbers. Payout: 5 to 1.

Outside Bets (Lower Risk, Lower Payout)

• Column: A bet on one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers. Payout: 2 to 1.
• Dozen: A bet on a block of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36). Payout: 2 to 1.
• Red/Black: A bet on which color the winning number will be. Payout: 1 to 1.
• Odd/Even: A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even. Payout: 1 to 1.
• High/Low: A bet on whether the winning number will be in the low half (1-18) or the high half (19-36). Payout: 1 to 1.

Final Tips for Playing Roulette

• Choose European or French Roulette: Always play on a single-zero wheel if possible. The lower house edge gives you a better chance of winning.
• Start with Outside Bets: If you're a beginner, sticking to even-money outside bets is a great way to learn the game and manage your bankroll.
• Manage Your Bankroll: As with slots, set a budget before you play and stick to it.
• Understand that Strategies Don't Beat the House Edge: Betting systems like the Martingale can be fun but do not change the long-term mathematical odds of the game.
• Play for Fun: Roulette is a classic game of pure chance. Enjoy the suspense and excitement without expecting to win every time.