How to Play Roulette Online: Rules, Bets & Strategy
Understanding how to play roulette is straightforward — predict where the ball will land, place your bet, and wait for the spin. It is one of the most recognisable casino games in the world, and the online version follows the exact same rules as a physical table. This guide covers the wheel layout, every bet type, the differences between major variants, and what you should know about betting strategies before you start.
Updated Written by Jonathan Williams
What Is Roulette?
Roulette is a table game built around a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets. A small ball is released in the opposite direction of the spin, and players bet on which pocket it will land in. Every outcome is independent — previous results have no effect on future spins.
Unlike blackjack, roulette involves no player decisions after the bet is placed. Once your chips are on the table, the result is entirely determined by physics (or a random number generator in virtual games). This makes it a pure chance game, but one with a wide range of betting options that let you control your risk level.
The Roulette Wheel and Table Layout
The wheel contains numbered pockets from 0 to 36, coloured red and black in alternating patterns. The zero pocket is green. In American roulette, there is an additional green pocket marked 00 — this single difference is responsible for a significantly higher house edge.
The table layout mirrors the wheel’s numbers in a grid format. Numbers 1–36 are arranged in three columns of twelve rows. Outside the main grid, you will find spaces for broader bets like red/black, odd/even, and dozens. Players place chips directly on the layout to indicate their chosen bet.
European vs American vs French Wheels
| Feature | European | American | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (0–36) | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) | 37 (0–36) |
| House Edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 1.35% (even bets) |
| Special Rules | None | None | La Partage / En Prison |
| Availability Online | Very common | Common | Less common |
French roulette uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European, but adds two player-friendly rules. La Partage returns half your even-money bet if the ball lands on zero. En Prison gives you a second chance — your bet stays on the table for the next spin instead of being lost. Both rules cut the house edge on even-money bets to just 1.35%.
How a Round of Roulette Works
Every round follows the same sequence, whether you are playing at a virtual table or with a live dealer. The process takes roughly 30–60 seconds per spin.
- The betting window opens — you place chips on the table layout
- The dealer (or software) spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction
- The dealer calls “No more bets” as the ball begins to slow
- The ball drops into a numbered pocket
- Winning bets are marked, losers are cleared, and payouts are distributed
- The next round begins
In online roulette, the RNG determines the outcome instantly. The wheel animation is visual only — the result is already decided the moment you press spin. Live dealer roulette uses a physical wheel, so the outcome is determined by real-world physics.
Roulette Bet Types and Payouts
Roulette offers more than 20 different bets, split into two categories: inside bets (placed on specific numbers) and outside bets (placed on broader groups). The trade-off is simple — the more numbers your bet covers, the higher your chance of winning but the lower the payout.
Inside Bets
| Bet Type | What It Covers | Payout | European Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 number | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner | 4 numbers in a square | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Double Street | 6 numbers (two rows) | 5:1 | 16.22% |
Inside bets are higher risk but offer the largest returns. A €5 straight-up bet on a single number pays €175 plus your original stake if it hits.
Outside Bets
| Bet Type | What It Covers | Payout | European Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Odd / Even | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| High / Low (19–36 / 1–18) | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Dozen (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.43% |
Outside bets win close to half the time, making them ideal for longer sessions and smaller bankrolls. The zero (and double zero in American roulette) is why even-money bets do not have a true 50/50 chance — the green pocket tilts the odds in the house’s favour.
Understanding the House Edge
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino holds on every bet. In roulette, it comes entirely from the zero pockets. European roulette has one zero, giving the house a 2.70% edge. American roulette adds a second zero, nearly doubling it to 5.26%.
In practical terms, a 2.70% house edge means that for every €100 wagered over time, the casino expects to keep €2.70. On American tables, that figure rises to €5.26. Over a session of 50–100 spins, the difference compounds noticeably. This is why choosing European or French roulette is the single most impactful decision you can make — more so than any betting pattern. Our casino guides library covers house edge across all major table games if you want to compare.
Online Roulette Variants
Online casinos offer several roulette formats beyond the standard European and American tables. Each variant adds unique mechanics while keeping the core rules intact.
Live Dealer Roulette
Live dealer roulette streams a real croupier spinning a physical wheel from a professional studio. Multiple camera angles capture the ball drop in detail, and you place bets through a digital overlay. Rounds take 30–60 seconds, with a countdown timer for the betting window. It combines the convenience of online play with the transparency of watching a real wheel. Look for it at reputable best online casinos with valid licences.
Lightning Roulette
Lightning Roulette is a game-show-style variant developed by Evolution. Each round, between one and five numbers are randomly “struck by lightning” and assigned multipliers from 50x to 500x. Standard straight-up bets pay 29:1 instead of 35:1 to fund the multiplied payouts, but hitting a lucky number can return up to 499:1 on a single bet. The house edge is slightly higher than standard European roulette at approximately 2.78%.
Other Variants
- Immersive Roulette: Multi-camera HD with slow-motion replays of the ball landing
- Speed Roulette: 25-second rounds instead of the standard 45–60 seconds
- Double Ball Roulette: Two balls in play — both must land on your number for the top payout
- Auto Roulette: No dealer, fully automated wheel with rapid results
Do Roulette Strategies Actually Work?
No betting system can overcome the house edge in roulette. Every spin is independent — the wheel has no memory of previous results, and the odds are identical whether red has hit five times in a row or not. Strategies only change how you distribute your bets, not whether you win long-term.
Common Systems and Why They Fail
- Martingale (double after every loss): Requires an infinite bankroll. After just 10 consecutive losses on a €5 starting bet, you would need to wager €5,120 on a single spin. Table limits prevent this progression, and the maths guarantees eventual ruin.
- Fibonacci (bet the sum of the previous two bets): Slower escalation than Martingale, but the same fundamental problem — it cannot change the probability of each individual spin.
- D’Alembert (increase by one unit after a loss): More conservative, but still assumes past results influence future outcomes. They do not.
These systems may produce short-term wins, which reinforces the illusion that they work. Over thousands of spins, the house edge applies equally regardless of bet sizing. The only real “strategy” is choosing variants with the lowest house edge — French roulette with La Partage at 1.35% versus American roulette at 5.26%.
Tips for Playing Roulette Online
While you cannot change the odds, you can make smarter decisions about where and how you play.
- Always choose European or French roulette over American. The house edge difference (2.70% vs 5.26%) is the single biggest factor in your long-term results.
- Set a session budget before you start and stop when you reach it. Roulette moves quickly — 50 spins at €5 per bet is €250 wagered in under an hour.
- Outside bets last longer. Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) win close to half the time and are ideal for stretching your bankroll.
- Understand how bonuses interact with roulette. Most casino bonuses count roulette bets at only 10–50% toward wagering requirements, meaning you clear playthrough far slower than with slots.
- Try free versions first. Many new online casinos offer demo roulette tables where you can learn the layout and bet placement without risking real money.
- Stick to licensed operators. Our guide on spotting a safe online casino covers what to verify before depositing.
If you prefer games where decisions affect the outcome, explore free demo slots with varied mechanics, or try a strategy-based table game where your choices directly reduce the house edge.
Conclusion
Roulette is one of the simplest casino games to learn, but choosing the right variant matters more than any betting system. Play European or French tables, stick to your budget, and understand that every spin is independent. The house edge is small enough — especially at 1.35% on French even-money bets — that roulette remains one of the fairest games in any online casino.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet in roulette?
There is no single “best” bet — it depends on your goal. Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) offer the highest probability of winning at close to 48.65% on European tables. If you want maximum payout potential, straight-up bets on a single number pay 35:1 but hit only 2.70% of the time.
Is European roulette better than American?
Yes. European roulette has a 2.70% house edge versus 5.26% for American. The only difference is the extra double-zero pocket on the American wheel, which nearly doubles the casino’s advantage. Always choose European or French tables when available.
Can you win consistently at roulette?
No. Roulette is a negative expectation game — the house edge ensures the casino profits over time regardless of your strategy. You can win in any individual session, but no system can guarantee consistent long-term profits. The best approach is to choose low-edge variants and set firm session limits.
What is the difference between La Partage and En Prison?
Both are French roulette rules that apply when the ball lands on zero during an even-money bet. La Partage returns half your stake immediately. En Prison keeps your full bet on the table for the next spin — if you win that spin, you recover the original bet with no profit. Both reduce the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% to 1.35%.
Is online roulette rigged?
Licensed online roulette games use certified random number generators tested by independent laboratories such as eCOGRA, GLI, and iTech Labs. The outcomes are audited regularly and cannot be manipulated. Live dealer roulette uses a physical wheel, adding an extra layer of transparency. The key is choosing a casino with a valid licence from a recognised regulator like the UKGC or Malta Gaming Authority.
