The game of roulette in its present form has been played for over 300 years, and remains one of the most popular gambling games available today. This should come as no surprise – roulette’s simplicity, rapid pace and huge range of betting options make it appealing to just about anyone. Most importantly, it’s purely a game of chance, so even a complete beginner can land a few winners!
While it might be a simple game, it’s still worth making sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you hop straight into a game. Our quick guide to the basics of online roulette will teach you everything you need to know before you give that wheel a spin, from the basics to winning strategies. Let’s get the ball rolling.
Everything you need to know about online roulette
The Basics
This tried and tested casino classic involves a roulette ball, table, chips, and of course, the iconic wheel. The aim of the game is simple. Predict which numbered pocket the ball will land in with each spin of the roulette wheel. You’re not restricted to just picking one number though – the game of roulette presents you with some of the best betting options you’ll find at an online casino, including the classic red or black and any combination of up to 38 numbers.
Once you’ve made your predictions and placed your bets, it’s time for the main event – spin the wheel! There’s nothing better than the thrill of watching the ball slowly come to a halt as you wait to find out whether or not you’re onto a winner.
How to play online roulette for real money
- Choose a top online casino
Before you give the wheel a spin, you’ll need to figure out where to play. Let us give you a nudge in the right direction with our handpicked list of the best online casinos. The sites that have made our list offer some of the best bonuses, promos and of course, casino games. You can relax and play at these sites knowing that you’re getting an unrivalled casino experience from the most trustworthy, legitimate casino brands on the market. - Sign up & deposit to claim your exclusive bonus
Once you’ve picked out a favourite, registering an account is a doddle. Simply follow our links to get taken directly to a roulette-focused page and become eligible for your exclusive bonus. From here, you’ll be able to sign up in a matter of minutes, even on mobile. Head over to the cashier and make your deposit to claim your welcome bonus. The best online roulette sites offer a range of payment options, including PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, plus the usual debit and credit card options. - Practice on free roulette demos
Once your account is funded, you’re probably eager to get stuck into some roulette action. Whether you’re a new player looking to learn the ropes, or an experience pro testing out a roulette strategy, you might want to get a bit of practice in before you get started. Many of the best online casinos allow players to play demo roulette games for free. This is a great way to get familiar with the game and its features without risking your hard earned money. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can jump straight into a real money roulette game and place your bets! - Choose your roulette game
For the uninitiated, assuming that there’s just one roulette game is an easy mistake to make. You’ll be glad to know there are a number of roulette tables available at the best online casino sites. So whether you’re a high roller looking for VIP rooms with huge betting limits or simply looking for a bit of fun at the £1 minimum bet tables, the casinos on our list are sure to deliver. - Try live dealer roulette
Looking for the most authentic roulette experience available online? Try live dealer roulette tables! They bring the sights and sounds of a real land-based casino to you, wherever and whenever you want! Some of the industry’s top software providers offer live roulette games with crystal clear HD video streams and friendly live dealers to keep you company! While you won’t be able to play for free, we think this is your best bet if you’re after an immersive, interactive game of roulette.
Betting Odds
There are a huge number of possible bets that you could place each time you spin the wheel. These can be split into two types: inside and outside bets. The are two main types of roulette bets: inside bets and outside bets. An outside bet refers to the betting options that sit outside the numbered grid on a roulette table. Even money bets such as red and black, dozens and columns are all examples of outside bets. These bets involve lower risk, as they cover more of the roulette table. As you’d expect, this means a winning outside wager lands more modest payouts than an inside bet.
If you’re more of a risk taker, the inside bets can land you some huge payouts. Inside bets involve lower table coverage and include single-number bets – the bet with the highest payout in the game. It’s also known as the ‘straight up and pays out at 35:1.
American Roulette vs European Roulette
Most top online casinos offer the two most prominent versions of online roulette: American roulette and European roulette. The only difference between the two is that the American version has one more number on its wheel – the double zero. This means that the American wheel is made up of 38 pockets, compared to the 37 found in European roulette. With a smaller number of potential outcomes, the European variant gives you the best odds, so we’d definitely recommend choosing European roulette if you want the best bang for your buck.
Roulette Strategy
When you’re putting your hard earned money on the line, it usually pays to have a plan. We all have certain guidelines we stick to when playing blackjack, right? Well, roulette is a little different. Where some casino games require a bit of skill and knowledge, roulette is purely a game of chance. All it takes to win is a little luck.
Many casino enthusiasts swear by roulette strategies like the Martingale system, but it’s important to remember there’s nothing you can do to tilt the odds in your favour. Even if you’re a beginner, you stand a fairly decent chance of landing a winner during extended gameplay, with or without a strategy. Nevertheless, we’d still recommend that new players take advantage of demo versions of online roulette to get familiar with the game and its controls before wagering any real money.