Roulette has been a popular traditional game since the 18th century and is now a well-known online casino game. This casino table game is easy to learn, 100% chance-based, and offers a variety of bets to suit all types of players.
Players who want to try their luck at online roulette casino games can learn more about online roulette below, including the rules they need to follow, the types of online roulette games on offer, and how these online variants differ from land-based casino roulette.
How Does Online Roulette Work?
Regardless of whether people are playing online or live roulette, the rules of roulette mostly stay the same. The objective is to try to predict where the ball will land on the roulette wheel and to place bets on a specific number, range of numbers, or colour accordingly.
The Role of the Roulette Wheel
The roulette wheel features numbers 1 through 36, alternately coloured red and black, a green 0, and, in some cases, a green 00. The arrangement of numbers on the wheel varies depending on the variant people are playing. These include European, French, and American roulette.
This does affect online roulette odds, with each of these different versions of the game offering different returns to the player. French roulette can have a house edge of as little as 1.35%, European roulette has a house edge of 2.7%, while American roulette has a house edge of 5.26%.
Types of Online Roulette Bets
There are two types of bets:
Inside Bets
These are bets players can place on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. Inside bets are popular among high-rollers and risk-takers because they have higher payouts (and lower odds of winning). Inside bets include straight-up bets (bet on a single number), split bets (bet on two adjacent numbers), street bets (bet on a row of three numbers), corner bets (bet on four numbers forming a square), and line bets (bet on six numbers in two adjacent rows).
Outside Bets
Beginners, casual players, and anyone working with a smaller bankroll prefer outside bets. These bets are placed on larger groups of numbers or characteristics of the numbers. They have lower payouts but higher odds of winning. Outside bets include bets on red or black, even or odd numbers, high or low numbers (1–18 or 19–36), dozen bets (bet on the first, second, or third set of 12 numbers), and column bets (bet on a vertical column of 12 numbers).
The Basic Gameplay in Online Roulette
The online roulette game starts when players place their bets. The roulette dealer will then spin the wheel. The winning number is determined by the pocket in which the ball comes to rest on the roulette wheel, driven by a random number generator (RNG) for fairness. Payouts are then made to the lucky players who bet on the winning number or category of numbers. The amount won depends on the type of bet placed.
These are the basics of how online roulette works.
The Difference Between Playing Roulette Online and in a Land-Based Casino
The main difference is accessibility. Gamblers can play online casino roulette from any internet-connected device that supports a standard web browser or online casino app. That said, the cheery, exciting social experience of a traditional roulette table will be missing from RNG-based games since these are traditionally solitary online gambling experiences driven by animations, sound effects, and random number generators. However, players can also try live dealer roulette to have a more social roulette experience online.
Online casino roulette is also generally played at a faster pace, and the betting limits are often broader, catering to different bankroll sizes and players using different online roulette money management tips. Plus, when playing roulette online, players will also usually have access to more variants, giving them the chance to explore other types of roulette to find their favourite game.
Types of Online Roulette Casino Games
There’s no shortage of different types of online roulette. There are all the classics, including American, French, and European roulette, along with a few themed options with a twist. Here are a few popular titles:
Gold Vault Roulette
This is a European roulette game with a high-payout RNG element. In this game, every spin reveals between five and 20 gold bars, each acting as a 50x multiplier, which are then placed onto a random bet spot for a chance to win multiplied payouts.
European Football Roulette
This football-themed Playtech game is designed with football fans in mind. It’s another variant inspired by European roulette, and the odds of winning are higher than in American roulette.
Turbo Multifire Roulette
For players who prefer a quick, straightforward game of roulette, this Real Dealer Studios variant could be right up their alley. It features random multipliers, giving players the chance of larger wins than classic roulette games.
Penny Roulette
This is the perfect online casino game for roulette newbies and anyone looking to keep bets low without compromising on the experience. It allows players to stake as little as a cent per spin.
