Casino Roulette: A Beginner's Guide to Rules, Odds, and Gameplay

Roulette has always been a simple yet elegant game that has attracted millions of players to casinos worldwide. After all, nothing beats the rush of watching the wheel spin and anticipating the outcome. Will it fall on the red? How about the black? What about the specific number? These are all questions that we have pondered as we have gazed at the wheel while crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. If you are a roulette fan, too, then you have been there and done that. But even if you are not and you would like to experience this feeling from the comfort of your home, online roulette might be exactly what you are looking for. We explain how this game works.

Understanding the Specifics of Online Roulette

Online roulette has been taking the online casino world by storm, and many people are curious as to how this game works. Our guide addresses this interest by diving into how this online version differs from the one played in traditional casinos, the unique benefits it presents, and the strategies we would recommend for players at all levels. Without much further ado, let’s get into it.

Roulette Specifics

How Does Casino Roulette Work Online?

With traditional games, we get to see as the wheel spins in front of us. So, what happens when we play casino roulette? Well, the game changes, but in a good way.

To start with, online roulette is available in two forms – we can play it in the digital tables alone or with other players, or we can join live dealer games. For the digital tables, casinos use random number generators, which are software that come up with random outcomes that determine where the ball falls. These games are governed by computers and offer perks such as speed and unlimited play. If we choose the live tables, then we get to watch as a real human dealer spins a physical wheel, just like in a real casino. The games feel very real because the casinos stream the videos and audio live, and we are also able to talk to other players. Having played both, we can say that there is a time and place for each version, as the choice comes down to preferences such as speed and socializing.

Regardless of the online roulette version we play, the games are pretty much like traditional roulette. We place our bets, wait for the outcomes, and access our wins or take our losses. And with these similarities, transitioning from traditional roulette to online roulette feels easy.

Types of Roulette Casino Games

While it might look like roulette is just about spinning wheels and cashing out, there is so much more to this game, which stems from its variants. So, which roulette game is the most popular online and why?

  1. American roulette. We can safely call this the classic roulette game, as it comes with 38 pockets with a single zero and double zero in addition to numbers 1 to 36. Most people love it for its speed. But a good number love it for its high risk and reward ratio.
  2. European roulette. This game comes with 37 pockets because it features numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero. Most players love it because of its low house edge when compared to American roulette, as this betters their winning chances.
  3. French roulette. This version is very similar to the European roulette, but it comes with the added advantage of special rules, like La Partage, that add to its low house edge.
  4. Mini roulette. With a smaller wheel with only 13 pockets, this game is fast and has low stakes, making it perfect for beginners.

Other online variants are also available, including the multi-wheel roulette that allows players to bet on several spinning wheels at the same time.

Laying Out the Roulette Betting Options

While roulette is mainly a game of chance, the likelihood of winning also varies based on the betting options. To help you understand this better, let’s break down the main betting categories and their implications on outcomes:

The Inside Bets

These bets cover specific numbers or small groups. They include the following:

  • Straight up – here, you bet on one number.
  • Split – this bet covers two adjacent numbers.
  • Street – these are three numbers in a row.
  • Corner – these bets cover four numbers in a corner.
  • Six line – this bet, also known as double street, covers two adjacent rows, amounting to six numbers.

With the specificity of these bets, their probabilities are pretty low, but that also means that their payouts are astoundingly high.

The Outside Bets

Players can also bet on larger groups, and these tend to be the most common bets as they are seen as safer. These include:

  • Red or black – these bets are only about color.
  • Odd or even – these are based on the number the ball falls on.
  • High or low – these bet on whether the outcome will be 1 to 18, which is low, or 19 to 36, which is high.
  • Dozens – these focus on dozens, such as 1 to 12, 13 to 24, and 25 to 36.
  • Columns – these allow players to bet on one of the columns.

Safe bets carry higher probabilities and thus lower payouts.

The Special Bets

These options are often found in roulette casino variants like European or French roulette, and they allow players to bet on sections of the wheel rather than the table. Take the Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel) for example. It covers 12 numbers opposite zero. Many other special bets exist, and they attract players who want to layer in some strategy in their bets.

How to Play Roulette Online

Now that we have covered how online roulette works and what variants and bets you can expect, let’s put this all together in a step-by-step process. Here is the approach that everyone, including beginners, can use:

  1. Select a variant – casinos offer popular variants like American, European, etc.
  2. Decide on a bet – these options often include inside and outside bets, and some sites offer special bets.
  3. Place a wager – online roulette tables feature sections where you can choose a chip size.
  4. Spin the wheel – the casino does this through RNG or the live dealer and displays the process on the interface.

Once the ball settles into a pocket, the casino automatically calculates the winning bets and displays the results. Then, you can decide whether you want to start another game or cash out, depending on whether you have won or lost.

The Top Strategies for Every Player

Strategies

Roulette may be a game of chance. But we have found that we can work this in our favor through the strategies below, especially when you play roulette online and want to approach each spin with a clearer plan in mind:

  1. Forget about systems. Strategies like Martingale and Fibonacci do not change the house edge and instead only help players manage money.
  2. Take advantage of free play. With demo and free games, learning how roulette works is quite easy.
  3. Spend wisely. A budget is an important tool for every player, as is a profit-plowing plan.
  4. Play short sessions. Roulette may be fun, but objectivity tends to dull in the face of continuous playing.

It also helps to leverage special bets, where available, as these are great at lowering the house edge if used strategically.

What Are the Advantages of Playing Roulette Online?

Convenience is the name of the game with roulette games, as they are available from anywhere and at any time. What’s more, a roulette casino offers a wide variety of games and often include free or demo games, which players can use for practice or as a way to save money. The icing on top, though, is the flexibility of the games, such that players can choose between RNG games for speed or live dealer games for authenticity and social interactions.

Key Takeaways

Online roulette comes with all the perks of traditional games, but with the unique edge of convenience, free play, and versatility. Luckily, capitalizing on these and more advantages comes down to understanding how the game works and leaning on basic yet effective strategies to improve the probability of winning.

FAQs

What Are the Inside Bets in Casino Roulette?

These bets, which include options like straight up and split, focus on the ball’s likelihood of falling on specific numbers or groups. As a result of this specificity, they offer low probabilities of winning. However, they also have the highest payouts.

What is the Difference Between RNG and Live Dealer Roulette Game?

With live dealer games, casinos employ real humans who spin the wheel and stream the video to players, which replicates the traditional casino setting for those who prefer to play roulette online in a more immersive environment. But with RNG games, casinos delegate this role to software that comes up with outcomes, which makes these games faster and more convenient for players who want to play without waiting for a live table.

Are There Strategies That Can Make Players Better at Casino Roulette?

While systems like the Martingale and Fibonacci exist to help players manage their bets, players are more likely to see positive results from objective strategies such as managing their budgets, keeping an eye on the time spent playing, and practicing using the demo games.