Online Roulette: A Guide for Beginners in 2024
Do you want to know how to play online roulette effectively to maximize winnings? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Here at MySerGambling, our experts have developed this complete guide that all beginners should read before they play roulette online.
We will share all you need to know in order to be a better roulette player online. Everything from the rules of the game, types of roulette games, live roulette, roulette table and odds, and best strategies will be covered in this article.
Where to play Online Roulette?
Playing casino games online can be risky business, that’s why we have hand-picked the best websites where you can start playing online roulette. Whether you want to play live roulette, European, or American roulette, our list provides you with the best providers to get your bets on the most competitive roulette tables on the internet.
Free vs. Real Money Roulette
Gamblers who play in both land-based and online casinos can’t resist the thrill of the roulette wheel. This is why online casinos support many variations of the game, including free roulette online.
Playing a free online roulette game allows gamblers to test their skills and practice their strategy risk-free before taking a shot at a real money game. In free roulette, gamblers can try different bet combinations and betting strategies.
When you’re ready to up the stakes and try your hand at a real money roulette game, the chance to win cash will add the element of risk, which makes for some thrilling fun. You can also utilize casino promotions and rack up loyalty rewards while you play.
Types of Online Roulette
When you’re ready to play a real money game of online roulette, you will want to find the best online casino games for you. To help you determine which is a right fit, we have a list of the most popular roulette games in play today.
More About Online Roulette
How to play Roulette
American Roulette
European Roulette
French Roulette
Roulette Strategies
Martingale Strategy
D’Alembert Strategy
Fibonacci Strategy
Live Roulette
American Roulette
American Roulette is popular to play in North and South America. What sets it apart from others is the double zero on the wheel, which pushes the odds slightly in the favor of the casino, increasing the house edge to 5.26%. With a higher house edge than European or French roulette, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
European Roulette
European Roulette is another very popular variation for gamblers. What is attractive about this variant is that the house edge is only 2.7%, making it a favorable game for the player. Here, there is a single zero and the wheel runs from 1 to 36. Standard bets apply on numbers, odds or evens, lines, and colors.
French Roulette
French Roulette is similar to European roulette with just a single zero but has the addition of two side bet options. The ‘en prison’ rule gives players an opportunity to recoup their stakes if the ball lands on the zero when the player placed an even money bet.
With the ‘la partage’ rule, if the ball lands in the zero-pocket causing you to lose an outside bet, you will get back half your bet.
These rules favor the player and reduce the house edge down to 1.35%, while also making the gameplay more exciting.
Mini Roulette
Another popular variation on Roulette is Mini Roulette. The wheel only runs from 1 to 12, including a single zero, and is a “miniature” version of the full wheel. Due to the more compact wheel, the frequency of a win is higher, but this also makes the wins smaller. This is a fast game with the same rules as European Roulette.
Multi-Wheel Roulette
This version of roulette is made possible by online gambling because multiple wheels and games are in play simultaneously. Because several wheels are spinning at once, the frequency of a hit on a spin is higher. At the same time, the player’s stake increases with each additional wheel so bear that in mind.
Live Roulette
Lastly, we have live roulette. If you’ve gambled online before, this is nothing new, and you’re sure to have come across live casino games before. These roulette games are players’ favorites because they’re streamed live from a brick-and-mortar casino.
A live feed puts gamblers in touch with a real dealer and other online players as you play in real time. Virtual or not, it’s as close to the real thing as you can get without stepping foot in a land-based casino.
How to Play Roulette
The Rules of Roulette are straightforward once you know how to play. Keep in mind that you can always test out a free roulette game as you learn the rules and best strategies.
The first thing you will need to do is select your bets. The different chips indicate different values, and you can change the amount of your bet each time.
The bets are then placed across the table or focused on areas, like colors or odds/evens. It’s up to you whether you would like to place just one bet or multiple bets. Once the wheel is spinning, all bets are locked in, but until then you can undo and change your last bet.
Bets on Roulette
There are different kinds of bets that are segregated by where they are placed on the table, inside versus outside.
Some examples of Inside Bets are:
- Straight – a bet placed on a single number
- Split – a bet that is placed across two numbers
- Street – a bet that is placed across three numbers
- Corner/Square – a bet that is placed on the corner of four numbers
Some examples of Outside Bets are:
- Red or Black – a bet placed on the outcome being red or black
- Odds or Evens – a bet placed on the outcome being odd or even
- Dozen – a bet placed on a section of the board totaling 12 numbers; it covers the first, second, or third portion of the board
- Column – a bet placed on an entire vertical column, 12 numbers in total
Roulette Table and Your Odds
Now that you are familiar with the types of bets you can place in roulette, let’s talk about the table itself and how your odds and payout rates can differ.
The Roulette Table
The roulette table consists of a spinning wheel and a betting layout. The wheel has numbered pockets ranging from 0 to 36, and in American roulette, there’s an additional “00” pocket. The betting layout corresponds with these numbers and offers additional spaces for “outside” bets like Red/Black or Even/Odd.
Understanding Roulette Odds
In roulette, odds represent the likelihood of any given outcome. The odds are calculated by taking the number of ways to win divided by the number of total outcomes. In European Roulette, which has 37 numbers, the odds for hitting a specific single number are 1 in 37, or 2.7%. In American Roulette, with 38 numbers, the odds are 1 in 38, or 2.6%. Odds are often represented as a percentage, or in fractional or decimal form.
The House Edge
A crucial factor in roulette is the house edge. This is the statistical advantage that the casino has over the players. In European Roulette, the house edge is 2.7%, and in American Roulette, it’s 5.26%. This difference is mainly due to the extra “00” in American Roulette. The house edge affects the payout ratios for the various bets, as the house keeps a certain percentage of all bets.
Calculating Payouts
The payout in roulette is usually expressed in a “x to 1” format, which means you’ll win x dollars for every dollar you bet, in addition to receiving your initial bet back.
To calculate payouts, divide 36 by the number of squares your bet covers, and then subtract 1. For example, for a straight-up bet on a single number, the payout is 35:1, which is calculated as (36/1) – 1.
Types of Bets, Odds, and Payouts
Here’s a simplified chart:
| Roulette Bet Type | Example | Payout | European Odds | American Odds |
| Single Number | 7 | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Two Numbers (Split) | 19 or 20 | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Three Numbers (Street) | 28, 29, 30 | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Four Numbers (Corner) | 5, 6, 8, 9 | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Six Numbers (Line) | 4 to 9 | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Column | Any in the third column | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Dozen | 13 to 24 | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Red or Black | Red | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Odd or Even | Odd | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
Inside vs. Outside Bet Odds
Roulette bets are categorized into inside and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or combinations and generally have higher payouts but lower odds. Outside bets like Red/Black cover a large range of numbers and offer smaller payouts but better odds.
Outside Bet Odds
Outside bets are easier to win as they include a large set of numbers. However, their payouts are smaller.
- Red or Black: Payout 1:1; Odds: 48.6% in European, 47.4% in American.
- Odd or Even: Payout 1:1; Odds: 48.6% in European, 47.4% in American.
- Column or Dozen: Payout 2:1; Odds: 32.4% in European, 31.6% in American.
Inside Bet Odds
Inside bets have higher payouts but are harder to win.
- Single Number (Straight Up): Payout 35:1; Odds: 2.7% in European, 2.6% in American.
- Split (Two Numbers): Payout 17:1; Odds: 5.4% in European, 5.3% in American.
- Street (Three Numbers): Payout 11:1; Odds: 8.1% in European, 7.9% in American.
Understanding the roulette table layout, odds, and payouts can add an extra layer of excitement to the game while helping you make more informed betting choices.
Online Roulette Strategies
There are a number of different roulette betting strategies for playing roulette. Feel free to mix them up from time to time and try them all. Eventually, you might find one or a few that suit your playing style or you might employ different strategies based on your goal at that time. .
D’Alembert Strategy
For a more conservative approach to playing roulette online, the D’Alembert Strategy slows down the game for the player. After a loss, the player increases their bet by one and after a win, they decrease it by one. By playing this method, the impact of swings is reduced.
Fibonacci Strategy
For an even more conservative approach, players can employ the Fibonacci Strategy, which is named as such for its homage to the Fibonacci sequence, i.e. 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21, so on and so forth. Observe the sequence of numbers to see that each number is the sum of the two that precede it.
After each loss, the next bet you make is the next number in the Fibonacci sequence. For example, the first bet will be 1. If you lose, then you go to 2. And then to 3. When you win, move your stake back two places in the sequence. Only use this on even money bets.
Martingale Strategy
Another recommended strategy for beginners, the Martingale Strategy is probably the most popular of them all. Every time you lose, the bet is doubled.
The strategy behind this is that when you eventually hit a win, your losses will be recouped. Be aware of table limits, however, and make sure you don’t go bust if you find yourself on a losing streak.
Paroli or the Reverse Martingale
The Paroli strategy is a popular approach where you double the bet after each win. You restart back to the beginning after three wins. This is a great strategy for beginners, but experienced gamblers will find this useful too.
Where to Play Online Roulette
There you have it; the complete guide to online roulette for both beginners and experienced gamblers. We have discussed all the finer points of the game, including types of games, rules and how to play, and best strategies for the game.
We hope you find this to be an informative and helpful guide as you get started on your gambling journey. Don’t forget to keep learning and developing your strategies for best results and maximum winnings!
Make sure to read our other articles on online roulette, including a more detailed article on How to Play Roulette and reviews on the best online casinos!
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FAQ Best Online Roulette
Can I play online roulette for free?
Yes, there are many online casinos where players can enjoy online roulette without betting real money or signing up for an account. You can even play here at MySer-Gambling!
Is there a strategy to online roulette for beginners?
Yes, there are many strategies for playing roulette. For beginners, the best ones to start off with are either the Paroli or Martingale because they are progressive. Experienced players can employ these techniques as well.
