How to Play Roulette Online
Written By Heath Chesters
Gambling Commission eCogra GamCare
Table of Content
Article Summary
Before You Start Playing
While the layout of a roulette table might seem complicated at first glance, the game itself is actually quite straightforward. But ahead of placing your bets, you should first become familiar with some of the most important terms associated with playing roulette.
- Roulette Table – The layout where players place their bets, showing numbers and types of bets.
- Roulette Wheel – The spinning wheel with numbered pockets where the ball lands to determine betting outcomes.
- Chips – Virtual tokens used to place bets in online roulette, indicating monetary values from minimum to maximum amounts.
- Inside Bets – Roulette wagers placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers, within the numbered section of the table.
- Outside Bets – These bets cover larger sections of the roulette wheel, offering lower payouts but higher chances of winning.
- Roulette Odds – The payout ratios for each type of roulette bet, indicating how much you win if successful.
- Roulette Payout – The amount of money you win based on your type of roulette bet.
- Betting Limits – The minimum and maximum amounts you can wager.
- Rebet – A feature in online roulette allowing players to repeat their previous bets.
- Undo – Allows players to remove or adjust bets before spinning in online roulette.
- Redo – Sometimes shown as “Rebet” in online roulette, this option allows players to repeat the same bets again.
No matter your level of online roulette knowledge or how much you enjoy playing the game, remember to gamble responsibly and stick to your playing budget. Should you experience problems, organisations such as GAMSTOP in the UK can help you control your online gambling.
Step 1: You Need an Online Casino Account
Before you can start playing online roulette with real money, you’ll need to open an online casino account or log in if you’re already registered. This will provide access to the full range of games available.
Important: We only recommend playing online roulette at casino sites that are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. This ensures that roulette games are verifiably safe to play and have been tested to ensure fairness.
To help you choose where to play, our experts have shortlisted the best online roulette casinos. These rankings are based on criteria such as the number of games and roulette variants available, desktop and mobile compatibility, payout rates and staking options.
Step 2: Choose the Roulette Game You Wish to Play
Most casino sites have a broad selection of roulette games you can play, including different variants like European Roulette or American Roulette, alongside some that are specific to live roulette games with real human croupiers.
Game developers have created many online roulette variants you can try, beyond those with traditional gameplay features that are already familiar to most players. These can offer you alternative visual designs and themes to explore, plus different wagering options or side bets.
Step 3: Check the Roulette Game Rules & Paytable
Ahead of placing your bets on where the ball will land on the spinning wheel, take a moment to check through the roulette paytable and game rules for the variant you have chosen. Look for the small “i” or “?” icons on the game display.
The paytable will display each type of roulette bet available and the odds for those bets. The game rules will provide information about the roulette variant you’re playing, instructions covering how to play the game, additional details about the type of bets, and anything specific or unique about the roulette game itself.
Step 4: Set Your Staking Budget
No matter which roulette variant you’re playing, including live versions, every online roulette game offers minimum and maximum betting options. This means you can choose exactly how much to wager before each spin of the wheel.
Remember to check how much you’re betting with each spin. You can usually choose different chip values. There’s also the option to make multiple bets across the numbered grid of the roulette table, and there are side bets like Red/Black or Odd/Even to choose from.
Today online roulette games usually feature the option to “Clear” or “Undo” any bets. This is useful to know, should you wish to change your bet size and types before proceeding. When playing live roulette games, you don’t have to bet on every spin of the wheel, so you can sit out rounds if you prefer.
Step 5: Place Your Bets & Enjoy Playing Roulette
When you have chosen the roulette game you’re going to play, it’s time to start enjoying the gameplay on offer. Don’t forget to decide how much you wish to stake and what types of bets you’re going to make, ahead of confirming your bets with each spin of the roulette wheel.
Roulette Betting Options & Types of Bets
One of the main attractions to playing roulette is the varied betting options available, although there are two main types, typically referred to as Inside Bets and Outside Bets. Let’s take a closer look at all the most common types of bets featured in online roulette.
Inside Bets
These are bets placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the numbered section of the roulette table. The following table highlights the term for each type of bet, what they mean, and the payout odds available:
| Bet Type | Description | Payout Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Bet placed on a single number (0-36) | 35 to 1 |
| Split | Bet placed on two adjacent numbers (EG: 8 & 11), with chips placed on the line between them. | 17 to 1 |
| Street | Bet placed on a row of three numbers (EG: 10, 11, 12), with chips placed on the outer edge of the row. | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | Also known as a Square Bet, this is a bet placed on four numbers that form a square (EG: 1,2,4,5). | 8 to 1 |
| Six Line | Bet placed on two adjacent rows of three numbers (EG: 13-18), also known as a Double Street. | 5 to 1 |
| Basket | Bet placed on 0, 1, 2, and 3 in European Roulette. In American Roulette, this includes the double 00. | 6 to 1 |
| Trio | Bet placed on 0 and two adjacent numbers (EG: 0, 1, 2 or 0, 2, 3), available in European Roulette and French Roulette. | 11 to 1 |
| Top Line | Only available in American Roulette, this is a bet placed on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Known for having the worst odds. | 6 to 1 |
Outside Bets
These bets cover larger sections of the wheel, displayed outside the numbered grid on the roulette table. They offer lower payout odds but higher chances of winning. In the table below, you’ll find the most common types of outside bets, what they mean, and the payout odds.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | Bet placed on whether the result will be a red or black number. | 1 to 1 |
| Odd / Even | Bet placed on whether the number will be odd or even. | 1 to 1 |
| High / Low | Bet placed on whether the number will be Low (1-18) or High (19-36), representing each half of the numbered grid. | 1 to 1 |
| Dozen | Bet placed on one of three sections of the numbered grid. Shown as 1st 12 (1-12), 2nd 12 (13-24), and 3rd 12 (25-36). | 2 to 1 |
| Column | Bet placed on one of the three longest columns, ending at the numbers 34, 35, 36, with 2 to 1 odds displayed. | 2 to 1 |
Roulette Gameplay Features & Tips
Games developers have increasingly added more features and gameplay elements to online roulette, far beyond the traditional variants like European, French, and American roulette.
Some roulette variants have additional betting options, plus exciting multipliers and unique gaming features. Others focus on making roulette easier to understand and play, using enhanced interface features. Check the screens below for gameplay examples, including tips that may prove helpful.
<
>
These are just a few screens covering online roulette gameplay features. Remember to check the paytable and game rules information pages within each roulette game. These include general playing instructions, including any special or unique gaming features, depending on which roulette variant you’re playing.
Roulette Variants and Special Rules
Although it is often considered to be one of the most straightforward casino table games, roulette does have many variants, each with different gameplay features and rules. Below, you’ll find information about some of the most popular roulette variants at online casinos.
- Live Roulette – Streamed in real time with a human croupier spinning a physical roulette wheel, hosted at dedicated studios or casino venues.
- RNG Roulette – Fully digital and non-live, outcomes are determined by a Random Number Generator.
- European Roulette – Lower house edge and better odds than American Roulette, featuring 37 numbers (1-36 + 0).
- French Roulette – Similar to European Roulette, but features La Partage or En Prison rules, reducing losses on even-money bets.
- American Roulette – Includes 38 numbers (1-36 + 0, 00), higher house edge compared to European Roulette due to the double-zero pocket.
- Single Zero Roulette – Alternative name for classic variants such as European Roulette or French Roulette, which feature a single 0 pocket.
- Double Zero Roulette – Alternative name for American Roulette variants, which feature both the single 0 and double 00 pockets.
- Triple Zero Roulette – Variant with 39 pockets on the wheel, including 0, 00, and 000 to create the highest house edge for any roulette game, making it the least favourable for players.
- Mini Roulette – Simplified version of classic European Roulette with just 13 numbers (0-12), offering faster gameplay but worse odds and a higher house edge.
This is just a short list of popular online roulette game variants. Game developers have created numerous versions of this iconic casino game, each with their own distinct flavour and packed with intriguing features to enjoy. Be sure to check through the online casino roulette game listings, so you can find versions of this casino classic that best suit your own preferences.
Heath Chesters Author and Casino Analyst
My Final Thoughts
There are many online roulette variants you can try, whether your preference is for traditional gameplay or the fully interactive live dealer experience. There’s even themed roulette games to enjoy, giving this timeless casino classic a whole new twist.