Roulette Revelations: A Comprehensive Guide to Online Roulette
We’ve all seen a roulette table at some point in our lives, whether it’s on TV, in the movies, or in an actual casino. The iconic clicking and big money up for grabs have made the game a fan favourite for years now. The game has definitely changed, though, as online roulette games have taken the spotlight.
Nonetheless, whether it’s online or in person, roulette makes for the perfect table game, seeing as it’s simple and gives anyone a shot at a huge win. But before you take on the big world of online roulette, you first need to understand the game’s core mechanics.
Come with us as we review our comprehensive betting guide, which showcases the best roulette strategies for beginners and veterans alike.
How to Play Roulette Online: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re ready to take a leap of faith and step into the world of online gaming, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what you should know when you first start playing roulette online:
- Choose Your Online Casino: There are a ton of online casinos to pick from, making online casino reviews all the more important. Some offer great bonuses, some have amazing odds, and some are just crap, if we’re being honest.
- Understanding the Table and Lingo: Once you’ve found a decent online casino that fits what you’re looking for, you’ll need to figure out how the roulette table actually works. This includes understanding the betting board, chip denominations, and what to say when playing.
- Spin: This is probably the easiest part of the game to understand, you start each roulette round with a spin.
- Re-bet: This lets you place the bet you made in the previous round. The main benefit of a re-bet is that it makes it much easier to track how much you have won/lost.
- Clear bets: This removes all your current bets from the roulette table.
About the Roulette Wheel
The roulette table is where all the magic happens, and you can potentially win a ton of money or lose it all.
- Numbering Scheme: The roulette wheel has numbers listed from 1 to 36, coloured red and black in an alternating sequence. There’s also a single green pocket marked “0” (European roulette) or two green pockets, “0” and “00” (American roulette).
The Roulette Table Layout
Now, let’s focus on the roulette table’s layout.
- Betting Surface: The green-flaid betting table is where you’ll place your chips and choose your numbers.
- The Wheel: A roulette table’s red and black pockets are arranged so that no two pockets of the same color sit next to each other. In theory, this ensures that it’s almost always a 50/50 gamble.
Tips and Tricks for Newbies:
- Start Small: It’s tempting to go big from the get-go, but you should really start with smaller bets, especially if you’re new to the game.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Many online casinos offer free roulette games. Try a few free roulette games to polish your skills.
- Responsible Gambling: Set a budget for your roulette sessions and stick to it.
Popular Online Casino Roulette Types: Exploring the Variations
European Roulette (Single-Zero): This is the typical roulette game you’ll find, as it has less of a house edge thanks to the single green zero pocket. If you want to give it a go, look for “European roulette” or “single-zero roulette.”
American Roulette (Double-Zero): American roulette is another super popular one, as the variation has a wheel with both a single zero and a double zero pocket. It gives the house a slightly higher edge and is found in a ton of Las Vegas casinos.
French Roulette: While quite similar to European roulette rules with a single-zero wheel, French roulette has a few unique things about it, like “La Partage” (half-win on even-money bets when the ball lands on zero) and “En Prison” (a chance to win back your even-money bet after a zero spin).
Betting Options: Inside vs. Outside Bets
Inside Bets: These bets focus on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the roulette wheel.
- Straight Up: For a straight-up bet, all you have to do is place a chip directly on a single number. This offers the highest payout (usually 35 to 1) but has the lowest odds of winning.
- Split: Placing a chip on the line between two adjoining numbers. You win if the ball lands on either number (usually 17 to 1 payout).
- Street: Placing a chip on the line at the end of a row of three numbers. If the ball lands on any of those three numbers, you win (usually 11 to 1 payout).
- Corner: Placing a chip on the corner where four numbers meet. You win if the ball lands on any of those four numbers (usually 8 to 1 payout).
- Line Bet (Six Line): Placing a chip on the line that runs across two rows of three numbers. If the ball lands on any of those six numbers, you win (usually 5 to 1 payout).
Outside Bets: Think of what we just said about inside bets and do the opposite. For the most part, outside bets cover broader categories on the roulette table.
- Red or Black: This is super simple: You bet on the ball landing on a red or black numbered pocket.
- Odd or Even: This is also quite easy. There is no need to game the system; you just need to bet on the ball landing on an odd or even-numbered pocket.
- High (19-36) or Low (1-18): You can also bet on the ball landing on a high or low-numbered pocket.
- Dozens: Betting on the ball landing within the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24), or third dozen (25-36).
Payouts and OddsI think we can all agree that payouts are probably the most crucial aspect of betting. You need to understand your odds and how much you will get paid for a winning wager.
For example, a 35:1 payout on a straight-up bet means you win 35 times your original bet amount. Odds, on the other hand, represent the probability of your bet winning.
Time and Bankroll Management: Playing Smart, Not Long
Don’t get us wrong—we understand how fun gambling can be sometimes, but we all still need to know our limits and gamble responsibly. For example, consider setting a time limit for your sessions or maybe setting aside a dollar amount you are willing to lose so you don’t go too overboard.
Take it slow until you know what you are doing. You could even test the game several times before playing for real money.
Roulette Strategies for Newcomers
There are never any guaranteed wins in life, and roulette is the same; however, with some strategies, you can add some structure to your game and potentially minimize your losses.
Here’s a couple of some basic roulette strategies suitable for beginners:
- Martingale Strategy (High Risk): This strat usually involves doubling your bet after every losing spin to recoup your losses and turn a profit. This is by no means a sure-fire strategy, though, as if you hit a couple of losses in a row, you could be down big.
- Fibonacci Sequence: With this one, you would use a progressive betting sequence based on the Fibonacci numbers (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.). You increase your bet amount based on the sequence after a loss and decrease it after a win. Again, though, while using the Fibonacci sequence can potentially help manage losses, it doesn’t guarantee wins by any means.
- D’Alembert Strategy (Lower Risk): This approach involves increasing your bet by one unit after a loss and decreasing it by one unit after a win. It aims for smaller wins and minimizes losses. This strategy is quite slow to return profits, so it’s best if you’re looking to sit at a table or at your computer for a while.
Online Roulette vs Live Dealer Roulette
Online Roulette:
Pros: Convenient, fast-paced gameplay, a wider variety of bet options and game variations, and the ability to play at your own pace.Cons: It lacks the social interaction of a real casino, and gameplay can feel less immersive.
Live Dealer Roulette:
Pros: It offers a more realistic casino experience with a live dealer, the ability to interact with the dealer in some variations- therefore adding a social element to the game. Cons: Limited game selection compared to online roulette, slower pace of play due to waiting for other players.
Why Play Roulette Online for Free?
Before you place your first wager, it’s worth considering taking advantage of free online roulette games. These free games offer a ton of benefits like:
- Practice Makes Perfect: Experiment with different betting options and strategies in a risk-free environment.
- Learn the Ropes: Familiarize yourself with the roulette wheel layout, betting board, and game flow before playing for real money.
Final Thoughts and Tips:
Roulette does offer a great blend of heart-pounding betting excitement and strategic play. But don’t forget, you can’t forget your limits.
You should get off on the right foot as long as you understand the game, leverage the right strategies, and play with the best shot of winning possible. Maybe start with something like the D’Alembert strategy on a European roulette table.
