Online Roulette: The rules and bets you need to know
Online Roulette remains one of the most recognised games in any digital casino, mostly due to the iconic spinning wheel with numbered pockets that players bet on. The game has simple mechanics and a fairly straightforward betting structure that can be easy to understand.
As with any game, understanding the rules and bet types of online casino Roulette is essential before placing any chips on the virtual table, whether playing at the live casino or digitally. So, if you’re seeking a refresher, this guide outlines how the game works and the different bets you could place.
The rules of online Roulette
Online Roulette revolves around predicting where a small ball will land once it has been released onto a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets.
The wheel is split into red and black pockets, numbered 1–36. Depending on the variant, there will be either one or two green pockets. European Roulette has a single green pocket marked ‘0’, while American Roulette includes an additional ‘00’ pocket.
Before the ball is released into play, you’ll be required to place a bet on where you think the ball will land, choosing numbers or groups of numbers. Once betting closes, the wheel spins, and a ball is released. When the ball comes to rest in a pocket, the matching number is announced, and bets are settled.
Unlike land-based games, online versions use random number generators (RNGs) to produce unpredictable and fair outcomes. If you play a live dealer version, the game streams directly from a real Roulette table, where a human dealer spins a physical wheel.
Inside and outside bets
The specific Roulette bets you can place fall into two main categories – inside and outside bets. Understanding these helps you decide how you wish to wager:
- Inside bets
These bets involve placing chips on specific numbers or combinations within the numbered grid. These bets have larger payouts due to their lower chances of matching where the ball lands. This can include:
- Straight up: A bet on a single number.
- Split: A bet covering two adjacent numbers on the betting layout.
- Street: A bet on three numbers in a horizontal line.
- Corner: A bet covering four numbers that meet at one corner.
- Six line: A bet on two adjoining rows, covering six numbers in total.
- Outside bets
These bets are placed on larger groups of numbers. They have smaller payouts due to their higher chances of matching where the ball lands. This can include:
- Red or black: A bet on the ball landing in a red or black pocket.
- Odd or even: Predicting whether the matching number is odd or even.
- High or low: Wagering on whether the number falls in the low (1–18) or high (19–36) range.
- Dozens: Betting on the first (1–12), second (13–24), or third dozen (25–36).
- Columns: Betting on one of the three vertical columns on the table.
Key points to remember
Before playing online Roulette, it’s important to have a budget and stick to it. This can also help you determine whether you want to focus on higher-risk inside bets or lower-risk outside bets.
Whichever game or variation you decide to play, make sure you familiarise yourself with the specific rules of the version you choose.
