How to Play Roulette Online for Beginners

Roulette is one of the most popular casino table games for both beginners and experts alike. This game of chance is enticing as well as easy to learn and play. Whether you’re a roulette newbie or just want some tips on how to play, this guide will give you the tools you need to have success at the roulette table.

Roulette Rules

There are two key pieces to the game of roulette: the wheel and the table. Both have red and black numbers on them, and it’s important to understand what both mean in order to be successful.

The game begins and the player places chips on certain areas of the table. The player only has a certain amount of time to place their bets. Once bets are final, the dealer spins a ball around the wheel. Once the wheel stops spinning, the ball will land on a number and that number lets you know if you won or lost your bet.

Roulette Spaces

To be successful at roulette for beginners, you need to know what each space on the table means.

This is what an online roulette board will look like. To begin the round, you select your chip and place wherever you would like to on the table. Once your bets are locked in, the wheel will begin spinning.

Numbers 1-36: A player can simply bet on which number will hit. Numbers 1-36 are shown on the table. Numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, and 36 are red. Numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, and 35 are black.

Numbers 0 and 00: In American roulette, numbers 0 and 00 are green and are just outside of the 36 main numbers.

2:1 Spaces: These spaces are located at the bottom of each column on the table. They are also known as column bets because you are betting on the ball to land on one of the numbers in that column.

Dozens Spaces: These are located directly to the left of the main table of 36 numbers. The first 12 includes numbers 1-12, the second 12 is 13-24, and the third 12 is 25-36.

1-18 and 19-36: Similarly, you can bet halves. Will the number be between 1-18 or between 19-36? These spaces are located just left of the dozen spaces.

Even and Odd: These spaces are in between the 1-18 and 19-36 areas and signifies if the number will be an even number or an odd number.

Black and Red: The black and red spaces are displayed as a black diamond and a red diamond to the far left of the table and are two of the most common spaces on the table.

Roulette Bets

There are two major types of bets at roulette online casinos: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets are bets inside the table of 36 numbers, and outside bets occur when a player places chips outside of those 36 numbers. Many prefer inside bets because they have bigger payouts.

Inside Bets

Straight Bet: This is when a player picks a single number. This pays out 35:1.

Split Bet: This occurs when a player places the chip in between two numbers. This wager will win if either of those two numbers win. This pays out 17:1.

Street Bet: A player places a street bet when they place their chip on the outer grid line of the table. This type of bet will win if one of those three numbers hits. Street bets pay out 11:1.

Corner Bet: This is when a player places their chip on the corner in between four numbers. If the ball lands on any of those four numbers, you win your bet. This pays out 8:1.

Six Line Bet: This wager is like the street bet. Players place their chip on the outer grid, but instead of three numbers, this bet covers six. Six line bets pay out 5:1.

Top Line Bet: Top line bets can be made on numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This wager pays out 6:1.

Outside Bets

Dozen Bet: A player can bet on the first 12, the second 12, or the third 12. The first 12 wins if the ball lands on numbers 1-12, the second 12 wins if the ball lands on numbers 13-24, and the third 12 wins if the ball lands on 25-36. This bet pays out 2:1.

Column Bet: This is very similar to the dozen bet. A player bets on the ball to land on one of the numbers that are in the column you place your chip in. This also pays out 2:1.

Low/High Bet: This occurs when a player puts a chip on the 1-18 space or the 19-36 space. This pays out 1:1.

Even/Odd Bet: A player bets this when they put their chip on the even or odd space. This wager pays out 1:1.

Red/Black Bet: A player puts their chip on either the red diamond or the black diamond. If they bet red, then they will win their bet if the number is a red number. This type of bet pays out 1:1.

Tips for Playing Online Roulette

If you’re an online roulette beginner or just someone looking to up their game, consider these Roulette strategy tips the next time you play.

Focus on Outside Bets

Inside bets are tempting because they have bigger payouts, however, you are more likely to win long term if you place more outside bets. Outside bets have smaller payouts but have a better chance of hitting.

Place Multiple Corner Bets

Corner bets offer great value when it comes to inside bets. They pay out 8:1 and give you four numbers that can win. It’s a good strategy to place multiple corner bets in one round. This gives you even more numbers that can win, and the 8:1 payout confirms profit even if you lose a one corner bet but win another.

Use Low Minimum Tables

Low minimum tables are great for placing multiple bets at once. Many tables have $1 minimums, so you can spread out your bets across multiple corners. Players can also place small bets on red and even for example and hope for a red 12. Many players put multiple chips down at a time in roulette, so playing at tables with low minimums helps you keep your bankroll intact while giving you a chance to win.

Take Rounds Off

Roulette is a game where it’s smart to take a break. It’s always a good thing to take a step back and observe the wheel. Taking a couple rounds off gives the player a chance to see whether red or black has been hitting more and what specific numbers have been winning.

Avoid Straight Bets

Even though picking one number has one of the biggest payouts in roulette, it also has a low probability of winning. Players are more likely to win in the long run if they avoid placing straight bets.

Set Betting Limits

Roulette is a mid-range casino game when it comes to the house edge. In American roulette, there are 36 numbers that you can wager on, but there are 38 spaces with the two green spaces. Because of this, the house has a 5.26% (2/38) edge.

Understanding the house edge will help you set your betting limit. Roulette is a game for entertainment purposes, so remember to never bet more than you can afford.

Roulette Betting Systems

There are many different roulette betting strategies that players use.

Martingale Strategy

The Martingale strategy is one of the most common strategies in roulette. In this strategy, the player increases their betting amount after each loss. This allows players to make back all their losses after one win.

This strategy only works on spaces on the table that payout 1:1, like red and black. You place the same amount of wager just on the opposite color if you win. For example, if you bet $1 on red and win, then you bet another $1 on black the next round. If your first $1 bet on red lost, you would then bet $2 on black on your next spin.

Reverse Martingale Strategy

Reverse Martingale is similar, except that you switch your bet after losses. For example, if you bet $1 on black and you lose, you’ll then bet $2 on red the next spin.

D’Alembert Betting System

The D’Alembert betting system also uses outside bets. With this system, players remove a unit if they win the round and add a unit if they lose the round. For example, if you bet $5 on black and it wins, you will bet $4 the next round. If you bet $5 on black and it loses, you will bet $6 the next round.

Paroli Betting System

With the Paroli betting system, you double your wager after each win until you have won three in a row. After each loss, you return to your original wager. You wager the same amount until you win your first round.

American vs. European Roulette

The main difference between American and European roulette is the number of green spaces. In American roulette, there is a 0 and a 00 space, while in European roulette, there is just one 0 green space.

Because of the two green spaces in American roulette, you can do a bet that includes the 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Players cannot make this type of wager in European roulette.

Lastly, the house edge is different because of the additional space. The house edge is 5.25% in American roulette, and it is 2.6% in European roulette, meaning that the player has a better chance of winning in European roulette.

How to Play Roulette Online FAQ

What are the basic rules of roulette?

Roulette is a game of chance. You place bets on the table, then the dealer spins a ball on a wheel, and you need the ball to land on the number that corresponds with your bet.

How do you place bets in roulette?

You place bets in roulette by placing chips on different areas of the table.

What are the different types of bets in roulette?

There are two main types of bets in roulette: inside bets and outside bets. They all vary in payout size based on the likelihood of them hitting.

Can you win real money playing roulette online?

Yes, there are many casino apps and sites that will let you play roulette online for real money such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars.

Is there a strategy to win at roulette?

Even though roulette is a game of chance, you can implement different strategies and betting systems to help you win more often.

What are the odds of winning in roulette?

In American roulette, the house has an edge of 5.25%. Odds in roulette vary based upon the types of bets a player uses.

What is the difference between American and European roulette?

The biggest difference between American and European roulette is the number of green spaces. American roulette has two green spaces (0 and 00), while European roulette just has one green 0.

How do you play live dealer roulette online?

Some online casino apps use live dealers as opposed to software. Find a table, place your bets, then watch the live dealer spin the roulette wheel.