Online roulette is a popular game choice at casino sites in the USA and around the world. Whether you play online roulette for free or at a real money online casino, the game offers an exciting set of bets combined with the mesmerizing spin of a roulette wheel.
Players interested in learning how to play roulette can read the guide below for advice. We give an overview of the roulette bets, which doubles as a roulette glossary. Our online roulette guide features a chart with odds and payouts, plus a look at the main roulette variations. Let’s start with a look at the basic rules of roulette.
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Roulette Rules: Fundamentals Of Gameplay
Roulette uses a spinning wheel that features number pockets or slots at intervals on the wheel. Each spin begins with a round of betting. Once players make bets, the dealer – called a croupier – spins a metal ball in the wheel. When the ball stops, it drops into a pocket and bets are resolved.
The number of pockets on a roulette wheel varies depending on the region. European Roulette is also known as single-zero roulette, because it only has one pocket with a zero. American Roulette is known as double-zero roulette, because it has two pockets with zeroes (one being the 00 pocket). This changes the odds of winning, so European Roulette has better odds than American Roulette.
Online roulette casinos feature games named for certain regions, so it’s easy to find the best set of rules. Most games have the same basic set of betting options. Keep in mind the different roulette versions when you’re choosing which roulette variation to play.
What Roulette Betting Options Are There?
Roulette has many betting options with payouts ranging from 1:1 to 35:1. The following are the types of bets that you can make during a game of roulette:
- Odd or Even Bet: A bet on whether the winning number is odd or even.
- Black or Red Bet: A bet on whether the winning number is red or black.
- High or Low Bet: Low is considered 1-18 and high is 19-36 wins this wager.
- Dozen Bet: Bet on either 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.
- Straight Bet: Bet on a single number with the highest payout in the game.
- Split Bet: Two-number bet on a number connected to the betting layout.
- Street Bet: Three-number bet on numbers in one of the rows.
- Square Bet: Four-number bet on numbers that form a square on the layout. Corner bet.
- Top Line Bet: On the 1, 2, 3, 0, or 00 hit. Only available in American Roulette.
- Six Line Bet: Six-number bet on two horizontal rows on the layout.
- Trio Bet: In European Roulette, players wager on one of two trios: 0, 1, 2 or 0, 2, 3.
- Basket Bet: Wager on one of the three combinations: 0-00-2, 00-2-3 or 0-1-2.
- Row Bet: A bet on the 0 or 00. Offered in American Roulette.
- Column Bet: A wager on one of the three vertical rows of numbers on the layout.
- Snake Bet: A wager on a set of 12 numbers that snake across the layout.
Roulette Odds and Payouts
Here's a chart with the usual odds and payouts for each of the bets listed above. Take a look at the game's rules to make sure you receive the traditional roulette payouts. Keep in mind that European Roulette odds are better than American Roulette odds if no house rules are in place, so it's usually best to play European or French Roulette.
| ROULETTE BET | EUROPEAN ODDS | AMERICAN ODDS | PAYOUT |
| Odd / Even | 19:18 | 1.111:1 | 1:1 |
| Black / Red | 19:18 | 1.111:1 | 1:1 |
| Hi / Lo | 19:18 | 1.111:1 | 1:1 |
| Dozen Bet | 25:12 | 2.167:1 | 2:1 |
| Straight Bet | 36:1 | 37:1 | 35:1 |
| Split Bet | 35:2 | 18:1 | 17:1 |
| Street Bet | 34:3 | 11.667:1 | 11:1 |
| Square Bet | 33:4 | 8.5:1 | 8:1 |
| Top Line Bet | N/A | 6.6:1 | 6:1 |
| Six Line Bet | 31:6 | 5.33:1 | 5:1 |
| Trio Bet | 34:3 | N/A | 11:1 |
| Basket Bet | N/A | 11.667:1 | 11:1 |
| Row Bet | N/A | 18:1 | 17:1 |
| Column Bet | 25:1 | 2.167:1 | 2:1 |
| Snake Bet | 25:1 | 2.167:1 | 2:1 |
What Are Some Online Roulette Variations?
The roulette variations you'll find below are versions of games played in brick-and-mortar casinos. Most roulette games in US casinos don't use house rules, but you should be familiar with the versions below so you can take advantage of the favorable odds offered if you find them.
American Roulette: Also known as double-zero roulette, this is the original version of the game. It has two zero slots (0, 00) on the wheel, so the house edge is almost twice that of European Roulette. Found in Las Vegas and most of North America.
European Roulette: Also known as single-zero roulette, this is an improved version introduced by the Bloch Brothers in the mid-19th Century. It has a single zero slot on the wheel, giving it the best odds (2.70%) among the major roulette variants. Found in Monte Carlo and most of the rest of the world.
Multi Wheel Roulette: Similar to multi-hand video poker, this version of online roulette features several roulette wheels spinning at once.
- Multi-Ball Roulette: Similar to multi-wheel roulette, except the game has two or more roulette balls spinning on the same wheel at one time.
- En Prison Rule: Often used in European Roulette. When the balls land on the 0 with an even-money bet, the player doesn't automatically lose the bet. Instead, the bet is "imprisoned" for another round. The outcome depends on the next spin. This halves the house edge from 2.70% to 1.35% in European Roulette.
- La Partage Rule: Often used in European Roulette. When the balls land on the 0 with an even-money bet, the player only loses half of their bet. Like En Prison rules, this halves the house edge from 2.70% to 1.35%.
- French Roulette: These bets use French names, such as Orphelins (orphan bet), Voisins du Zero (neighbors of zero), Jeu Zero (zero game) and Le Teirs du Cylindre (third of the wheel). The house edge is the same as European Roulette (2.70%), but gives players a novel set of wagers to play. Also, it's good for high rollers, because the full complete/maximum bet is 12 wagers in 1 – thus allowing high-stakes players to expand the max bet. French Roulette is the game with announced bets.
- California Roulette: Since 2004, a form of roulette played in California's tribal casinos using playing cards instead of a roulette wheel. The 2004 law allowed the casinos to skirt California's ban on spinning wheel games.
- Live Roulette: Live dealer casinos give players the chance to play live dealer roulette. When you play live roulette online, the game is live-streamed to your computer in real-time. Like bricks-and-mortar roulette, the croupier spins a real roulette ball in a real roulette wheel to produce results.
How To Play Roulette Online
To play roulette on the Internet, you'll want to find a trustworthy online casino with a reputation for fairness and safety. If possible, you'll want an online roulette casino that offers a table game bonus, live dealer bonus, or roulette-specific bonus. These aren't common in some regions, but might be wildly available in your homeland.
- Read Online Casino Reviews: Find the best roulette casino by reading honest reviews. Look for the number of roulette games, the variants available, whether live roulette is featured, and whether the site offers roulette bonuses.
- Try Free Online Roulette: Any legit casino site supports free play of their real money roulette games. Click "Practice" instead of "Real Money" and you'll be playing in an instant.
- Know The Roulette Variants: Pick the best version of roulette available. If the site offers European Roulette and American Roulette with standard rules, always play European Roulette. The house edge on single-zero roulette (European rules) is almost half of the house edge of double-zero roulette (American rules).
- Place Outside Bets: Most roulette bets have the same odds unless you use house rules like "en prison" or "la partage". Outside bets are placed on a group of numbers – either 12 numbers or 18 numbers at a time. This produces smaller payouts but wins at a much higher rate. New roulette players might get frustrated if they only win once every 30 hands or so.
- Play Live Roulette Online: Many roulette players find the spinning wheel relaxing. Others prefer the camaraderie of chatting with croupiers and other players, so they don't necessarily enjoy online roulette as much. Playing live roulette online allows you to watch the game in real-time while chatting with real people in real-time
Finding the Best Free Roulette Online
Players have multiple ways to play free online roulette without risking their cash or signing up for other deals. Free roulette is a great way to learn the rules of roulette without obligation. Each offers the same basic game, but major differences exist between each method. Only one of the methods below allows roulette players to test the software they'll play once they use their bankroll: online casino roulette played in practice mode.
Free Roulette Games Available Online
FREE ROULETTE | ADVANTAGE | REQUIREMENT |
Online Casino Roulette | The same software and gameplay, no risk, and no obligation. | Coins don’t carry over to new games. |
Social Gaming Site | Play with friends. No obligation for new players. | Must sign up for player account, use site's casino coins, and pay for extra coins. |
Social Media Roulette | Play with friends and collect free-play coins. | Requires a Facebook account. Adds for other games. |
Free Roulette Tools | Learn the game using a free roulette demo. | Graphics and gameplay are often rudimentary. |
Roulette Strategy Advice
Roulette is a game of chance, so you won’t find many great roulette strategy tips. That’s an important takeaway because players should learn to avoid myths and misconceptions about the game. Playing online roulette sensibly and responsibly is the best way to enjoy the game, so follow the roulette tips below.
- Avoid Progressive Betting Systems: So-called roulette experts suggest progressive betting systems like the Martingale system, D’Alembert system, or Fibonacci system. Mathematical simulations have proven that flat betting is better than progressive betting in online roulette.
- Use Money Management Techniques: Money management won’t change the house edge in roulette. Still, money management makes you cognizant of your bankroll, avoid chasing bets, and lock in wins when you get lucky.
- Play Roulette for Fun and Thrills: Don’t expect to become a roulette pro. Online roulette is a form of entertainment. The house edge is the cost of that entertainment. The great thing about playing online roulette for real money is the fact you win almost half the time, so your entertainment is free that day.
More Casino Games
- Online Baccarat: Has the lowest house edge among table games with no strategy requirements.
- Online Slots: Games of chance with bigger payouts than roulette has.
- Online Blackjack: Has the lowest house edge among table games, though you must learn basic strategy to attain it.
- Craps Online: A game of chance that produces results with the throw of two dice.
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Online Roulette FAQ
What is the best roulette site?
That depends on the region where you live and your own preferences. Some online roulette casinos offer enhanced graphics or special rules. Others might have limited online roulette options, but offer live dealer roulette.
Also, the available sites vary from region due to state and national gaming laws. We offer casino reviews for sites in the USA, UK, Canada and elsewhere – to help you find the perfect casino for you.
Is online roulette fixed?
Not at all. The best roulette sites have a license from legit gambling regulators. They're also audited by third-party companies like Technical Systems Testing (TST). Some are members of watchdog groups like eCOGRA.
Beyond that, rogue online casinos get a bad reputation quickly. Casinos have a house edge, so they don't need to fix games. Instead, they use random number generators (RNGs) that create random results, knowing they'll make money in the long run due to probability.
Can you make money playing online roulette?
You can, but don't count on it as a career – or even a money-making venture. Roulette is a game of chance. The casino has the advantage, though it's a small advantage. No online roulette strategy will help you beat the house edge.
Instead, find roulette games with the best odds (European Roulette, French Roulette), use sensible money management strategies and look at the game as a form of entertainment.
Can I play roulette on a mobile device?
Absolutely. All the best online casinos support play with Android and iOS devices. In fact, more than 50% of players use mobile phones and tablets now, so mobile casinos are commonplace. Those that don't have an Android or iPhone app instead offer web-based instant games that load in the web browser.
How do I play live roulette online?
You'll play live roulette at a traditional online casino, but you have to find a gaming site that features live dealer games. Most casino sites with live dealers have an option called "Live Casino" in their menu at the top of the page (or the games menu in the casino section).
What is the best online roulette strategy?
We don't recommend any betting scheme or special strategy when playing online roulette. Roulette is a game of pure chance, so no strategy exists. All of the bets have the same house edge, so the odds remain the same however you arrange your bets. Progressive betting schemes like the Martingale or D'Alembert have been proven (with computer simulations) to be inferior to flat betting, even if they give the illusion of superiority when given small sample sizes.
Roulette players at casinos might have an interesting bet scheme, but it isn't a real strategy. One of our staff members has a cousin who placed a chip apiece on any two of the three-column bets. Their reasoning: they would win two of our three spins. Of course, that pattern means they lose one bet every single spin -- and lose both bets every third spin. Can't-miss betting schemes can lose a player a lot of money.
What's the best online roulette game?
We suggest that you play online European Roulette. If you play using the basic rules of each game, European Roulette's house edge is one-half that of American Roulette. If you have the choice and no house rules exist, always choose real money European Roulette.
If you're a high roller, consider playing online French Roulette. This is the game with the French-language bets. While the wagers take a bit longer to learn, the full/maximum bet offers a high stakes player the ability to make 12 bets in one. This streteches the max betting limit to its full extent.
Can I play roulette online for real money?
Yes, you can. Most online roulette for real money is played at offshore online casinos, though, so remember to play at licensed and legal US casinos. That's only possible in 5 US states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey. Sometime in 2023 or soon after, players should be able to play online roulette at legal Connecticut casino sites.
Most Americans still can't play Internet roulette legally. For those in other states, we recommend you wait until you can play at sites with legal protections and consumer protections.
Can you win roulette when you play online?
Absolutely. Online roulette real money casinos that are licensed by US gaming regulators are legit. They use true random number generators (RNGs) to determine results, just like land-based electronic slot machines have for 40+ years.
RNG gaming technology is proven and trusted, so long as you played licensed and regulated online casinos. Such sites are audited for fairness and safety by US officials.
What is the best live roulette?
The best live roulette game is Live European Roulette. That's because European Roulette has a house edge of 2.70%, compared to the 5.26% house edge of American Roulette. Unless house rules apply, always choose European Roulette over American Roulette. The same goes if you play live dealer roulette.
How do you play free roulette?
The best way to play free roulette is to sign up for a player account at an online casino. Registration takes 5 minutes and gives players access to the free-play version of all of the casinos' games, including free roulette. You won't have to make a deposit to play -- simply download the casino software or play the instant-play roulette in the web browser.
Once signed in, click on the game icon. When prompted, choose the "Practice" link over the "Real Money" link. This opens up a free online roulette game with the exact same game controls, rules, and odds as the real money roulette game. Often, sites offer $1000 to $10,000 in imaginary money to let you play for free. Casinos hope you like the game enough that you deposit cash and play for real money, but you're under no obligation to do so.
Is free roulette rigged?
While that's possible when you play free roulette at offshore online casinos, it won't happy when you play online roulette for free at licensed US casino sites. Regulated casino sites have legal protections for players and are audited for fairness and safety. Even the free roulette games must comply with regulations, so free online roulette isn't rigged if you play at the right sites.
