Is it possible to learn how to play roulette online as a beginner? We believe so: although it’s a game of chance, we can improve our odds with knowledge. In this online roulette beginner guide, you’ll learn its rules, the most effective winning strategies, and every other important thing to help you get started.
Without wasting much of your time, let’s quickly jump into the types of live roulette free games available online.
Types of Roulette: Rules and Bets
Roulette is a very old game that has evolved over the years, giving rise to different variations with unique rules and characteristics. Here we explain the three most well-known types of roulette, their differences, and particularities.
In general, roulette consists of a wheel with numbers from 0 to 36. Players place bets at the table by predicting where the ball will land. Bets can be on specific numbers, colors (red/black), or the type of number (even/odd).
European Roulette
With a wheel numbered from 0 to 36 and a single zero (0), it offers better odds for the player than American roulette. European roulette is the classic and most popular version of the game, the most widespread in Europe, and the one most players prefer because the house edge is lower (around 2.70%).
Let’s look at an example:
Imagine you’re playing roulette, and you bet $1 on the number 17. This is a straight bet. If the ball lands on 17, you win your bet. You would receive a payout of 35 to 1: that is, you would win 35 times the amount bet plus your original stake (35 + 1 = $36).
Since there’s only one zero on the wheel, your chances of getting 17 right are 1 in 37 (the number of slots on the roulette wheel). In other words, there’s only one winning slot out of 37 possible slots.
Rules in European Roulette
European Roulette has unique and specific rules/setups that make it unique, and as a new player, we believe you must know them. The most important are the table sections, and below we’ll explain the table sections
European Roulette Table Sections:
- Inside Section: Designed for inside bets, it offers bets on individual numbers that are close to each other on the table layout, or on groups of up to six numbers.
- Outside Section: Designed for outside bets, it contains combinations of bets on red/black, high/low, even/odd. 6 different bets can be made on 12 numbers.
Types of European Roulette Bets
These are the available types of European roulette bets that we have:
- Individual numbers: for example, betting on 17.
- Horse: a bet that covers two numbers.
- Red-Black/Even-Odd: You can bet on a red number or an even number coming up (or vice versa). The payout is 2 to 1 (doubling your bet). For example, if you bet $10, you win $20, including your initial stake.
- Dozen: In European Roulette, there are three dozen bets with the numbers 1-12 / 13-24 / 25-36. The potential payout is 3 to 1. That is, in the previous example, you would win $30.
- 1-18/19-36: predicts whether a number will come up that is part of the first series or the second. The payout is 2 to 1.
- Columns: The numbers on the European roulette wheel are divided into three columns on the green table, starting with the numbers 1, 2, 3 and ending with 34, 35, and 36. You can bet that the ball will land on a number within one of the three columns and win a prize of three times your initial bet.
In general, most of the popular online casino roulette games on the market are European, and it is the most widespread in Europe. You’ll find very few American roulette games if you look at European countries or casinos that focus on European games. Also, if you’re a beginner, we don’t recommend it at all; we’ll explain why later.
French Roulette
French roulette is a variant very similar to European roulette but with special rules that benefit players, which we will see below.
The wheel also has 37 numbered slots from 0 to 36, and the house edge is lower than in American roulette, so it’s in our best interest as players to opt for this variety of roulette.
Rules and Bets in French Roulette
Here are French Roulette rules you should know:
Special Rules: As the name suggests, these are rules activated only in special circumstances during gameplay, and they are:
- Le Partage: If the ball lands on 0, you can recover some money if you placed an outside bet (red/black; even/odd). You will receive half of your stake back.
- En Prison: If you placed an outside bet and the ball lands on 0, you don’t lose your bet. It’s placed “in prison” (or held) for the next spin. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your original stake back with no additional winnings. It’s a second chance to win.
Simple Bets: Simple bets are basic bets with easy-to-remember rules. Many new French roulette players get the hang of the game following these rules.
- Red-Black/Even-Odd: As in European roulette betting, you can bet on a red number or an even number coming up, or vice versa. In both cases, the payout is 2 to 1 (doubling your bet).
- Manque/Passe: betting on a series of numbers from 1 to 18 or from 19 to 3. The payout is 2 to 1. If zero comes up, the player can withdraw half of the bet, but the other half is considered a loss.
- Dozens: The player can bet on a group of 12 numbers. There are three dozen numbers, as the roulette wheel has 36 slots (just like the European version). The potential payout is 3 to 1.
- Columns: You can bet on the first, second, or third column of the table; it pays 3 times the bet amount.
American Roulette
American roulette includes a single zero and a double zero and is the riskiest variant, but also the one that offers the best rewards and, as its name indicates, is the most popular in North American casinos.
The presence of the double zero means that the wheel consists of 38 squares, making it less advantageous for the players because the double zero considerably increases the bank’s advantage (around 5.26%).
The “En Prison” rule does not apply here, unlike in the French roulette version, so if the ball lands on zero, bets are free and placed normally.
So why do many players prefer American roulette to its other versions? The reason is that in American roulette, the minimum bets are lower than in the other two, making it much more economical.
Rules and Bets in American Roulette
Here are the rules and bets available on American Roulette.
Outside bets:
With them, it’s easier to win because you bet on more groups of numbers, meaning a higher probability of success.
- Color: red or black. Payout is 1 to 1.
- Value of the numbers: High or Low. Payout is 1 to 1.
- Number type: Even or Odd. Payout is 1 to 1.
- Column: There are three columns (First, Second, or Third) that you can bet on by placing your chip at the beginning of your chosen column. You cannot bet on 0 or 00 in any column. The payout is 2 to 1.
- Dozen: You can bet on any of the three dozen numbers on the wheel (1/12-13/24-25/36). It pays 2 to 1.
Inside Bets:
Here the odds of winning are lower, and that’s why the prizes are worth more.
- Plein: You can bet on a single number. The payout is 35 times the stake.
- Cheval: bet on two numbers (as in the European version). The payout is 17 times the stake.
- Complete transversal: bet on three numbers. The payout will be 11 times the bet.
- Simple cross bet: bet on six numbers. The payout will be 5 to 1.
- Basket bet: You could bet on 0, 00, and 2. Place your chip on the line where the numbers intersect. The payout is 11 times your stake.
- Carré: As in French roulette, you bet on four numbers. The payout is 8 times the bet.
- First Five: Bet on the first five numbers on the wheel. The payout is 6 times the bet.
- Simple chances: Bet on Red/Black, Even/Odd, or Manque/Passe. The “In Prison” rule does not apply, and if zero comes up, the player loses the entire bet.
How Can You Improve Your Chances of Winning at Online Roulette?
Winning at online roulette is the goal of every player: novice or experienced, we all want the same thing. Although roulette is a game of pure chance, there are simple, practical strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning money.
We’re not going to talk to you about the Martingale, the d’Alembert system, or the Fibonacci sequence. If these names sound familiar, you’ll know they involve gradually increasing your bet, whether you’ve won or lost. In our opinion, there’s no better way to go broke quickly than by following these so-called theories.
After years of experimentation, many players can tell you that these “strategies” lead nowhere (nowhere good). What can help you win at roulette, or at least improve your chances against luck, is following these guidelines:
Set a Budget
The first thing you should do is create a budget indicating how much you’re going to spend at the casino, and specifically on roulette. You can set betting limits and divide your bankroll among different types of games, for example.
And never chase losses!
Set Limits on Loss and Gain
To maintain control over your gambling and avoid being driven by emotions, it’s advisable to set limits on both your potential losses and gains. Once you reach these limits, you’ll stop gambling and prevent unexpected losses that could negatively impact your finances or personal life.
Study the Rules of the Game
If you familiarize yourself with the rules of the roulette game you’re going to play beforehand, you’ll be better prepared to follow the game and make more informed bets. You can read the manuals available online and play in demo mode to practice risk-free before betting real money.
Choose the Right Table
Online casinos typically offer several roulette tables, each with different betting limits: one for high rollers and another for more modest players. Depending on your budget, it’s advisable to choose one or the other for a comfortable gaming experience.
Manage Your Bankroll
Managing your bankroll responsibly is essential to continue enjoying casino games. This means dividing your bankroll into playing sessions and knowing your limits.
Adopt a smart and responsible gambling strategy, and you’ll likely see results. We can’t guarantee you’ll win money (nobody can), but you’ll always be within your budget, and anything more will be a bonus.
Play Responsibly
As always, we are committed to Responsible Gaming, and your well-being is our priority. We understand the importance of maintaining a safe and enjoyable gaming environment and want to ensure your gaming experience is positive.
- Consider the game as entertainment and not a source of income.
- Only bet money you can afford to lose.
- Never try to recoup your losses, as this can cause you problems.
- Control the time you spend playing.
- Take frequent breaks from gaming.
- Do not gamble under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
- Be aware of your chances of winning in each game.
Conclusion
As a beginner aiming to learn or understand the online roulette game, we hope our brief piece cleared up some confusion for you. As mentioned, we prefer American roulette because it pays more and, in our opinion, has more player-friendly rules.
Always remember to gamble responsibly, and if you’re starting, you can use free-stakes casinos or free casino platforms to learn more about the rules and apply them to polish your skills in this game.
Disclaimer
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