How to Learn Roulette

Nicola Davidson
Written by
Nicola Davidson on 9/29/2023

Want to learn Roulette? Great decision. It’s an easy enough game to pick up, it’s thrilling, and it’s a classic casino choice. But if you’ve never played before, it can be slightly overwhelming. Not just learning how to play the game. But choosing which type of game to play too. If you thought there was only one type of Roulette on offer at online casinos. Think again – there’s a wide selection. And your success in Roulette depends just as much on your skill level as it does on your choice of Roulette game to begin with. So which are the most popular Roulette variations and what are the important differences between them? Let’s take a look!

How to Learn Roulette

Quick pause – before we get into the various types of online Roulette available. It’s useful to know how to play Roulette first. Because while each online Roulette variation is slightly different. There are similarities between them as well. And if you’re a complete beginner, it’s helpful to know the basics when you’re first starting out.

If you’re a quiz buff, you might be interested to know that the name ‘Roulette’ is actually derived from the French for ‘little wheel’. And it’s no surprise it’s taken this for its name. As the Roulette wheel is one of the distinctive and unique symbols of gambling – as is its highly recognizable betting layout as well. And although Roulette has migrated online in recent years. It’s still kept both of these identifiers, making Roulette as easy to play online as it is in land-based casinos.

Take a look at the Roulette wheel and you’ll see that it’s divided into numbered spaces. Either 37 or 38, depending on the variation you’re playing. With the numbers on the betting table matching those on the wheel. Simply place your bet and the Roulette wheel will spin in one direction with the Roulette ball spinning in the opposite direction. Once the wheel comes to a stop and the ball has landed in a particular slot, the bet will be over. If the ball has landed on the outcome you’ve bet on, you’ll be a winner. If not, you can choose to play again. It’s that easy.

Placing your bets in online Roulette

Of course, there’s slightly more to it than that, which we’ll get into. There are a number of different outcomes available when you learn Roulette. And you’ll need to know what these are before placing your bets.

1. Inside bets. So called because they are bets placed inside the numbered grid on the betting table. Easy, right? These are the bets that are often placed on tv and in films. Bets on actual numbers on the Roulette wheel. Of course you can place a bet on more than one number – you can bet on a group too, with each different kind of grouping having its own particular name. Inside bets have a relatively high house edge, meaning that they’re harder for players to win – however because there’s more risk attached to them, there’s more reward too. So if you do manage to win an inside bet, you’ll win a generous amount for your trouble.
2. Outside bets. These bets are placed outside the numbered grid on the betting table, which is where they get their name from. Unlike inside bets that are placed on numbers, outside bets are placed on outcomes instead. Will the Roulette ball land on a red or black space, a high or low number, an odd or even number, or more? These are the questions you’ll need to ask yourself, and the outcomes you’ll be able to bet on. Outside bets have a far lower house edge than inside bets, meaning they’re much easier to win, making them ideal for beginners – however they don’t pay out as much as inside bets. And that’s a choice you’ll need to make – do you go for risky bets that pay out a lot, or more sure bets that pay out often. Only you can decide!

Learn Roulette variations

Now that you know a little more about how to play online Roulette, it’s time to play some of the more popular variations on offer so you can get a feel for the game. As you’ll soon come to find out, most reputable online casinos will offer at least these 3 most popular versions of the game:

European Roulette: The closest variation to land-based Roulette, European Roulette is equally as popular. It features 37 numbered spaces on the wheel from 0 to 36. As well as a low house edge of 2.7%, making it a great choice for first-time online Roulette players.

French Roulette. Similar to European Roulette in that it features 37 numbered spaces and has a low house edge of 2.7%, French Roulette also features a number of differences too. From unique bets like Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins to singular rules like La Partage and En Prison, French Roulette is as distinctive as it is entertaining!

American Roulette. While American Roulette might look the same as its European and French counterparts, this Vegas favourite is slightly different – and in a way that could affect your bankroll. This time instead of 37 numbered spaces it features 38, thanks to the inclusion of a double zero space. While this might seem like a small difference, it actually raises the house edge to an even bigger 5.26%, making it more challenging to play, and a riskier option for your bank balance. If that’s something you’re up for then go for it – just remember to manage your finances throughout.

While these three variations are by far the most popular, you’ll also find other varieties of Roulette online.

Usually including games such as:
Multi-Ball Roulette: Here you’ll have not one, but three Roulette balls in play. Place your bets, and the winnings will be divided by the number of balls in play.
Multi-Wheel Roulette: Why spin one Roulette wheel when you can spin eight at the same time?! That’s the idea behind multi-wheel Roulette – more gaming and more excitement!
Live Dealer Roulette: Finally there’s live dealer Roulette – you against a real life croupier in real time, enjoying real Roulette thrills via video stream.
As you can see, there’s more than one way to bet in online Roulette and more than one to play. So choose your game, place your bet, and see if the wheel of fortune spins your way!

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Nicola Davidson

Senior Content Writer

2614 Articles

Highlights

Nicola Davidson is a content writer with a focus in online gaming. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she has extensive expertise in casino games, sports betting as well as emerging trends that pop up in the iGaming sector. Content is more than just information. It’s about creating an engaging experience for players. Nicola perfects this by writing reviews of new slot releases, a guide to betting strategies or cutting-edge industry news.

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K. Ross
K. Ross
2 months ago

Curious about the role of skill versus choice in online Roulette. Inside bets sound intriguing! Anyone had success?