Playing roulette online allows you the chance to perfect your betting strategy on demo sites before playing with real money. Playing online also means that you can play at any time, from wherever you are, without needing to wait for other players. Online roulette has some variants with different rules, but these are easily explained on the company’s website. Most sites also offer the game and rules in several languages for clarity of understanding. Some games are also live-streamed from a casino so players can feel the excitement the venue offers.
Game variants
Originally developed in France, there are now a variety of games that have been introduced from the classic game. Most of those who play roulette online choose European Roulette, also known as French Roulette, but you can also find variants of the game, including American Roulette, Speed Roulette and Advanced Roulette. European Roulette has a 37-slot wheel that includes a single zero, whilst American Roulette has a 38-slot wheel with the extra slot a double zero.
European or American roulette?
European roulette is the most popular type due to a low house edge of 2.7 per cent, but the American-style wheel with the extra slot has its fans too, particularly those in the US who are more used to playing the game in Vegas casinos, even though the house edge is 5.26 per cent.
Betting in roulette
Choose outside bets
Players can make “inside” and “outside” bets. An inside bet is a bet on a single number. Outside bets are based on broader criteria such as red/black or odd/even. A player can place several bets on each spin of the wheel. Inside bets have the lowest odds and the biggest payouts, up to 35:1. Outside bets have the highest odds but smaller payouts of either 1:1 or 2:1. The recommendation is to stick with outside bets.
Your choice of bets include even-money bets, column bets, dozen bets, a straight-up bet, a split bet, a street bet, a corner bet, a top-line bet and a double street bet. European roulette has better odds than the American version, with odds tables published online.
The house edge
Whilst betting on red is said to have a 1:1 payout, the odds are actually 18/37 as the green zero provides a house edge for the casino. You can find the odds for each bet online and control your game using several buttons that allow you to place bets and spin the wheel.
Roulette strategies for beginners
Online roulette is a game of pure chance roulette, with no numbers “due” and no numerical patterns to guarantee success. However, players can use strategies for the amounts they bet in each round to improve the chance of a win. The Martingale System is popular. A player places a small outside bet and if they lose, they double their stake repeatedly until they win. The aim is to cancel out losses by an eventual big win.
