Roulette is a classic casino game where you place wagers on the outcome of a spinning wheel. In this game, a small ball is dropped onto a rotating wheel with numbered pockets, and your goal is to predict which pocket the ball will land in.
Online Roulette follows the same rules as the traditional version, with the advantage of offering different betting options, wheel types, and gameplay features.
In this article, we’ll delve into the basics of Roulette, the wheel variants you can find online, as well as a step-by-step guide to how to spin the iconic wheel online. So, if you’re ready to know more, read on.
The basics of Roulette and the wheel variants
Roulette wheels are divided into numbered pockets, alternating between red and black, with green reserved for the zero pocket(s). The aim is to bet on the number or type of pocket the ball will land in once the wheel stops spinning.
There are several key variants of Roulette available online, each differing slightly in their layout and rules:
- European Roulette: This is one of the most popular versions and features a wheel with 37 pockets numbered from one to 36, plus a single green zero (0). European Roulette offers a lower house edge than other types, as there is only one zero pocket.
- American Roulette: In addition to numbers one to 36 and a single zero (0), American Roulette includes a double zero (00) pocket, totaling 38 pockets. This extra double zero increases the house edge, giving this version slightly different odds than European Roulette.
- French Roulette: Similar to European Roulette with 37 pockets, French Roulette includes additional rules that can slightly benefit the player. The ‘La Partage’ rule, for example, refunds half of your even-money bet if the ball lands on zero. This rule is generally only available in this version of the game.
- Live dealer Roulette: Many online casinos also offer live dealer Roulette, in which a real dealer spins a physical wheel streamed in real-time from a specialist casino studio.
Playing the game: Steps to follow
- Choose a bet: Select a chip size and decide which bet(s) you want to place. You can choose from inside bets, outside bets, or a combination, depending on how you wish to play and your budget.
- Place the bet: Click on the corresponding area on the betting layout to place your bet. Many online versions will highlight the betting options or display pop-up instructions to confirm your choices.
- Spin the wheel: Once your bet(s) are placed, you can start the game by clicking the spin button. The dealer will spin the wheel in live dealer Roulette, while in automated versions, the virtual wheel will begin spinning immediately.
- Results and payouts: After the ball lands in a pocket, the winning number is displayed, and payouts are awarded to correctly predicted bets. Losing bets are cleared from the table, and you can then decide whether to place another bet for the next spin.
