Wondering how to play roulette? We have built an advice guide on playing roulette, including the basic rules, bet types, games, and other tips to get you started. Online roulette offers a low house edge too, if you choose the right games and wager types. Discover more with our easy-to-follow guide below.
Basic Rules of Roulette
Roulette is a game of chance where the objective is to predict where the ball will rest on the roulette wheel after a spin. You make your prediction by placing chips on the betting table. At online roulette casinos, you drag and drop chips to the areas and numbers you wish to bet on.
Roulette games are available at all the best online casinos in the US. You will also be able to play some games at land-based casino sites. The best thing about online casino games is that you can play for free or real money. This gives you the chance to check out games like American Roulette, French Roulette, or European Roulette.
Now this is just a high-level overview of how to play roulette, and we understand that you need more information to feel comfortable playing. The section below shows a step-by-step breakdown of how roulette works.
Roulette Table Layout and Play Guide
In this section, we’ll break down all of the information you’ll need about placing wagers at a roulette table.
Placing Bets
The roulette board differs slightly depending on whether you play European or American roulette. The American roulette table has an additional double zero groove, with this contributing to a much higher house edge of 5.2% (compared to just 2.7% for the European iteration of the game). You can see this clearly in the image of the table below.
European Roulette Table
American Roulette Table
When it comes to placing your wagers, you’ll have two options: namely inside and outside bets. In all roulette versions, inside bets describe wagers that are placed on individual numbers and small groups of digits. These include corner bets (which cover four numbers simultaneously) and street bets (which are placed on three consecutive numbers in a horizontal row).
Conversely, outside bets cover a broader selection of outcomes. Betting on Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low (19-36 and 1-18) enables you to cover half the total numbers on the roulette wheel, for example, while you can also wager on the first, second or third dozen at slightly higher odds.
It’s important to understand this when learning how to play roulette and placing your initial bets, but we’ll drill down deeper into inside and outside bets a little later in the guide.
Spin the Wheel
When you have selected and made your bets, you just need to spin the roulette wheel. Online roulette games will have a spin button that you can click to start. There are no time limits, either, compared to the roulette rules in live dealer games or the land-based casinos. In a brick-and-mortar casino, the dealer handles the action and gives everyone a short time limit to place their wagers.
Receive Payouts
The desired outcome in any casino game is that you will collect a payout. Online roulette payouts are processed automatically as soon as the wheel stops spinning. This is the virtual equivalent of the dealer passing you your winnings in chips in a land-based casino.
Clear / Redo / Double Bets
Online roulette has many features that make it easy to manage your bets. After a spin, you can either clear, redo, or double your bet. When you clear your bets, it means you are erasing any wagers made in the previous spin. You can also choose to redo the same bets and bet values. Furthermore, depending on your roulette bankroll management system, you can double your wager for the next round.
Roulette Bets, Wagers, and Payouts
Because of how roulette works, there are many different ways to play the game. Roulette comes with tons of betting options, though they are classified into two main categories; inside and outside bets. The type of bet you make depends on your desired payout and also the level of risk you are prepared to take on. Let’s consider how to bet in roulette in more detail.
Inside Bets
As we’ve touched on, inside bets are made on specific numbers located in the middle part of the betting table. These bets can be on one number or a connected group. It is important to note that inside bets are some of the riskiest wagers you can make. However, they also carry the largest potential roulette payouts. Here are some examples of inside bets:
Bet on an individual winning number. Betting on a single number is easy: simply drag and drop your chips onto your favorite number on the roulette table.
The split bet picks two numbers. You must place your chips on the line between these two options to make the bet.
This is also known as the square bet. This is a bet that one of the numbers forming a square on the betting table will be the winner. You place your chips on the corner connecting these four numbers to make a wager.
The Street bet is another grouped number bet. However, this time, it’s a bet on three numbers all at once. You make this bet by placing chips on the outside border of where the three numbers are located.
Also known as the “Monster”, this bet is only available in American Roulette because it requires a wager on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 at the same time. The double zero isn’t featured on a European Roulette wheel.
Place your chips on the outer line bordering the six numbers you are selecting. This is the most favorable inside bet from an odds and implied probability perspective, while it pays out at around 5/1.
The table below summarizes the inside bets you can make in casino roulette. We have also included payout figures and the house edge you can expect. European Roulette generally offers a better overall house edge at 2.7%. However, even American Roulette offers a better long-term return than some slots and table games.
Inside Bets & Payouts
| Bet Type | Bets Included | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | One number | 35/1 | 2.7% to 5.26% |
| Split | Two numbers | 17/1 | 2.7% to 5.26% |
| Corner | Four numbers | 8/1 | 2.7% to 5.26% |
| Street | Three numbers | 11/1 | 2.7% to 5.26% |
| Five-number | 0,00,1,2,3 | 6/1 | 2.7% to 7.89% |
| Six Line | Six numbers | 5/1 | 2.7% to 5.26% |
Outside Bets
If you are looking for less risky wagers in casino roulette, try outside bets. These are wagers placed on whole sections of the betting table as opposed to individual numbers. Because they cover a greater portion of all potential outcomes, outside bets also have lower roulette payouts. Here are some examples:
A bet on a whole column of numbers. This bet is indicated by placing chips at the bottom of the column. The payout is 2/1 and the bet loses if the ball lands in either 0 or 00.
The roulette wheel has 18 odd and 18-even numbers. You make this bet by placing your chips on the table where it reads Odd, or Even. This is the ultimate even-money wager.
Similarly, you can place a High/Low bet on either the 1-18 or 19-36 sections on the roulette table. The presence of the 00 will increase the house’s edge when you are playing American Roulette.
In this instance, you’ll wager on whether the next number will be red or black. Once again, this covers half of the potential outcomes on the roulette wheel and will pay out at 1/1.
This is a wager on the first (1-12), second (13-24) or third (25-36) dozens of numbers. As with column bets, this covers one-third of all potential outcomes and pays out at 2/1.
Outside Bets & Payouts
| Bet Type | Numbers included | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dozens | 1-12, 13-24, 25-36 | 2/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| Columns | Numbers in a column | 2/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| Even | 18 even numbers | 1/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| Odd | 18 odd numbers | 1/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| Red | All red numbers | 1/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| Black | All black numbers | 1/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| High | 19-36 | 1/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
| Low | 1-18 | 1/1 | 2.70% to 5.26% |
Types of Online Roulette Games
The best way to learn how to play roulette is to do it online. You can play for free and access the best roulette game versions you won’t find in your local casino. Remember, the answer to the question “How does roulette work?” is far from straightforward, as it depends on the precise game iteration that you play!
American Roulette
One of the most popular versions of this game is American Roulette. The roulette odds and payouts differ slightly from European Roulette because of the double zero pocket on the American Roulette wheel. There are more ways to win the Straight Up bet in American Roulette, but the house edge is higher at 5.26%.
European Roulette
European Roulette offers a lower house edge than American Roulette at 2.7%. There is just one green pocket (the single zero) on the European Roulette table, which improves the chances of your Red/Black or Odd/Even bet not being voided. This game is undoubtedly popular among beginners, and the go-to iteration when learning how to play roulette.
French Roulette
Most aspects of French Roulette are identical to European Roulette, with one or two exceptions. The main difference is the La Partage rule. If you are in French roulette, you get half of your losing wagers if the ball lands in the zero pocket. This lowers the house edge on even money bets to 1.35%, and we’d also recommend that you check out this game as you learn how to play roulette.
Live Dealer Roulette
You can also play roulette against a human dealer at the best live casinos. In these games, you place bets online through your keyboard or smartphone. However, the table game is handled in real time by a trained croupier. Playing fast-paced live dealer games isn’t recommended when learning how to play roulette, as it’s best leveraged by seasoned or experienced pros.
Pros & Cons of Roulette
Roulette offers a fun, easy gaming experience for new and experienced players alike. As with all casino roulette games, however, you must be aware of the drawbacks. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider when learning how to play roulette.
Pros:
- Roulette bets and odds are easy to learn and understand
- European roulette versions unlock a more favorable house edge of 2.7%
- There are many iterations of roulette available online
- There’s a broad range of betting options
- Straight Up inside bets can pay at odds of 35/1
Cons:
- Some roulette variants are not widely available
- The house edge is as high as 11% on some bets
Top 5 Tips for Playing Roulette
So far, we have answered, “How do you play roulette for free?”. Now, let’s consider how to play roulette in a way that maximizes your chances of banking a return. These tips are valid whether you are playing American Roulette or any other variant.
Choose the Correct Roulette Variant
It’s important to select the right roulette game variant from the onset. That means understanding the house edge. European Roulette and French Roulette have a lower house edge than American Roulette, so playing these games will automatically unlock a higher return-to-player (RTP) rate.Understand Roulette Betting Options
Take the time to understand how roulette betting works, as this will help you to maximize your bankroll. There’s a broad range of betting options available, with some incurring significantly higher risks and potential returns. Conversely, outside bets like Odd/Even cover half of the roulette table and payout at 1/1.Master Basic Roulette Betting Strategy
You must have a simple roulette strategy to play this game properly. Betting strategies help manage wins and losses. There are both negative and positive progression strategies available, which require you to increase your stake with each consecutive loss or win. Popular examples include the Martingale, Fibonacci, and d’Alembert systems. You can also calculate an optimal unit bet and apply this consistently.Look Out for Special Online Roulette Rules
Taking advantage of special features can positively affect your roulette game experience in many ways. For example, some European and American iterations of the game have a surrender rule that returns 50% on even money bets lost when the ball lands in the single or double zero. This can minimize your losses significantly over time, while it will fundamentally change the answer to the question “How do you play roulette”? Online.Use Good Bankroll Management
Learning how to play roulette is easy but maintaining a roulette bankroll is a lot harder. Always decide how much you are going to spend at the roulette table in advance, and stick to a strict plan. Remember, the house edge in online roulette means you’ll be a loser in the long term. When distributing your bankroll, prioritize maximizing board coverage and minimizing the risk of loss.
What is the Best Roulette System?
Pride KazungaiGaming Expert
The Martingale System may also offer value when placing balanced bets like columns or dozens wagers. This is because such wagers enable you to cover a third of all potential outcomes and payout at 2/1. So, it’s also important to factor in both the size of your bankroll and the types of bets that you like to place before selecting a system. Such considerations will also help you to determine the best way to play roulette.
Play Free Roulette Online
How do you play roulette? Casinos allow you to play roulette online for free. You can sign up for an account and enjoy American Roulette or European Roulette in demo mode. Online casinos offer both computerized RNG roulette games and live dealer tables where you can play on a real-life wheel.
Demo games have lots of benefits when you’re learning to play roulette. You can use free roulette table games as a sandbox to test new strategies. In addition, you can observe other players and learn how the game works sitting at free live dealer roulette tables.
In demo mode, you are essentially playing with casino credits which you can’t withdraw. However, it’s a great way of understanding roulette strategy without breaking the bank.
In addition, you can sign up at top-rated roulette casinos online and play with a few dollars. Test out European Roulette or go for the single or double zero in American Roulette. You can even claim bonuses to test the waters of real-money roulette for the first time.
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Other How To Play Casino Guides
- How to play online blackjack
- How to play video poker
- How to play online casino craps
- How to play Sic Bo online
- How to play online poker
- How to play online slots
- How to play online baccarat
How to Play Roulette FAQs
Is learning how to play roulette easy?
What is roulette house edge?
Is European Roulette better than American Roulette?
Is online roulette rigged?
What’s the Best Roulette Betting Strategy?
Responsible Gambling
When playing casino games, you must always have responsible gambling in mind. This means setting a fixed bankroll that you can comfortably afford to lose, while also ensuring that this covers a finite period.
However, if you do begin to wager outside of your means, you can call on the following independent resources to provide guidance.
