Roulette is one of the most beloved, classic casino games anyone can imagine—it simply screams “casino!” in a way that no other game can. It’s one of the first things you’re drawn to if you’re walking in—and its popularity doesn’t end there. Roulette’s also won our hearts as an online offering, ubiquitous on platforms all over the world.
Playing is deceptively simple: you choose the number you think is most likely to capture the ball. However, there’s more strategy than meets the eye.
We know that it can be a little intimidating to play a game you haven’t tried before, especially if you’re playing online. You might feel a little lost that you can’t simply watch others play and try to pick it up from there. We’ve created this guide to help you over that hump so you can start playing—and winning.
- Up to $3000 welcome bonus upon first three deposits
- Well-established US-friendly brand
- Top quality casino games
- Extra bonuses for Bitcoin depositors
ACCEPTED
PLAYERS FROM UNITED STATES: OHIO ARE ACCEPTED AT THIS CASINO
- Well-established brand
- Prompt payments
- 24/7 customer support
- Wide range of casino games
ACCEPTED
PLAYERS FROM UNITED STATES: OHIO ARE ACCEPTED AT THIS CASINO
- Up to $300 bonus upon first three deposits
- Great loyalty program
- Superb loyalty program
- Great selection of table games
ACCEPTED
PLAYERS FROM UNITED STATES: OHIO ARE ACCEPTED AT THIS CASINO
- Accepts players from all over the world
- Great daily bonuses
- Fair bonus rules and requirements
- Award-winning customer care team
ACCEPTED
PLAYERS FROM UNITED STATES: OHIO ARE ACCEPTED AT THIS CASINO
Let’s Get Down to the Basics
Okay, but first things first: let’s talk about the basics. If you’ve never played online roulette, this is a great place to learn—and if you have, feel free to scroll down to your heart’s content.
No matter where you find yourself in the world, if we’re talking roulette, you’ll also find the iconic roulette wheel, the ball, the chips, and the table where you’ll be them.
If you’re playing in a traditional, brick and mortar establishment, you’ll see a person known as a “croupier.” They’re the “dealer” in roulette: they spin the ball so that it can land on a number. They also pay out the money if you’ve won and they take the money from people who’ve lost. When you’re online, this role’s filled by the platform’s AI (unless it’s a live game).
Online roulette’s a whole ‘nother ball game, pardon the pun—you can also sometimes win free spins or bonuses. There are also a wider variety of must-play roulette variants so you can see what fits your play style best.
Apart from having a live croupier or having that role filled by AI, playing online and in person is the same: you can use the same strategies for both and see success.
Do You Understand Roulette Bet Types and Table Odds?
The good news is that there are only two types of roulette bets: inside and outside. The bad news (or, if you’d prefer, the “opportunity for excitement and learning”) is that both of these kinds of bets have subtle nuances and strategies.
Let’s talk about inside bets first.
Inside roulette bets mean that you’ve placed your bet on the numbered part of the grid. They also include the sums of numbers when you bet on a line or an intersection. While betting on a specific number often has a much higher payout associated with it, there’s significantly more risk involved.
There are three standard inside bets:
- Straight up bets: This is where you pick an individual number. They’re paid out at a standard rate of 35 to 1, with the exception of 0. If you hit a 0, it pays 37 to one.
- Corner betting: To place a corner bet, you’d pick four numbers that are connected by the same corner on the grid. This pays off at 8 to 1.
- Split betting: Split betting allows you to choose two numbers that are next to each other, for odds of 17 to one.
Outside bets, by contrast, are bets placed on the unnumbered part of the grid, and also include betting odd or even and red or black. Outside bets don’t have the excitement of a higher payout, but they’re a lot safer as the bet covers more of the table.
We highly recommend starting by placing outside bets if you’re a beginner.
As with inside bets, there are several types. Outside bets have four options:
- Even or odd betting: This is when you bet on either even or odd numbers. They pay 1 to 1.
- Color betting: You bet on red or black and if the ball lands on your chosen color, you again win with 1 to 1 odds.
- Dozen betting: To place a dozen bet, you choose the top, middle, or bottom 12 numbers on the grid for a 2 to 1 payout.
- Column betting: Here, you bet on 12 numbers that are in the same column on the grid for a 2 to 1 payout.
It’s worth it to check out the casino world with a buddy, especially if you’re a new gambler playing alone. Remember: it’s a lot to learn and the point of going to a casino is to have fun! Being with someone else can make the learning process easier and more enjoyable too. You can even compare notes and help each other achieve greater success.
Betting Strategies for Maximum Payout
Just as in so many other classic casino games, such as poker and blackjack, there are a ton of strategies that experienced players swear by. They argue that you can significantly increase your chances of winning by following a specific betting pattern or procedure.
We’re not going to completely dissuade you from checking out the more complex strategies on the market, but we do think that as a beginner it’s better to keep it simple and bet smaller amounts to properly manage your bankroll.
You’ll have time to learn that Fibonacci roulette system, don’t worry!
To start, though, we suggest sticking to the easiest approach, the 50/50: red or black. It’s the best way to dip your toe in the water and start learning by being at the table. Wager small, uniform amounts of your bankroll and don’t let yourself get caught up if you hit a winning streak—or a losing one.
Keep it consistent, keep it relaxed, and have fun! We look forward to hearing all about it.