How to Play Online Roulette

B. Atanasov
Boris Atanasov is an iGaming writer with over four years’ experience, creating engaging content on slots, video poker, roulette, and blackjack.
 (editor) | Updated:

Online casinos have gained huge popularity in the past decade as more players wish to enjoy real-money slots and table games from the comfort of their homes. The virtual forms of casino games are easily accessible, more affordable, and often easier to play than their physical, real-life counterparts. At the same time, they are just as enjoyable and exciting to most players. Online roulette is a great example since the game features simple rules, classic design, and betting limits that suit both novices and experienced high rollers.

The rules of online roulette are the same as those found in brick-and-mortar establishments, but there are certain features and aspects of virtual play that patrons should be aware of when playing in an Internet-based casino. Moreover, there are dozens of modern, innovative variations of the classic game that are available only online. Before gambling with real money, online players may also practice different strategies and betting systems for as long as they wish with a demo version of the game.

How Online Roulette Works

1Random Number Generation

Just like all other virtual games on casino websites, online roulette works by relying on randomly generated outcomes to create a fair experience that closely mirrors the real-life randomness of physical wheels. Software developers use random number generator programs and complex algorithms, while what players see on their screens is simply a visual representation of a ball and a spinning wheel.

2Similarity to Slots

In this regard, online roulette is more similar to slot machines than to the physical game of roulette. Unlike the game in a land-based casino setting, online roulette is played against a computer, and there is no need to employ casino staff to oversee the process, host the game, throw the ball, or announce the winning bets. In its simplest form, virtual roulette is available in single-play mode, and all bets are made using a mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen.

3Probability and House Edge

Unlike physical roulette, where players may notice flaws or irregularities in the wheel’s operation, which can cause some numbers to be hit more frequently than others, online roulette is virtually flawless. The outcome of each spin does not rely on physical characteristics such as wheel mechanics, ball weight, or velocity. Instead, the outcome can be explained by probability: some bets are more likely to win than others.

For instance, a straight bet on 7 wins only if the ball lands on 7. It loses in any of the other 36 possible outcomes (for European roulette). The probability of 7 winning is therefore 1 divided by all possible numbers, or 1/37, which equals 0.027027 or 2.70% of the time. If we bet on red, however, we have 18 winning numbers against 19 losing ones, so the probability would be 18/37 = 0.4864. In other words, this bet will win almost half of all spins on average, or 48.64% of the time.

We can then calculate the casino’s advantage, also known as the house edge, by considering the probability for each bet and its payout. Interestingly, the house edge for every bet in single-zero roulette is exactly 2.70%, which means that over time, players are expected to lose 2.70% of the money they wager on this game.

4Convenience and Customization

Another difference between physical, land-based games and online roulette is that players get their own gaming table in online casinos. They do not have to wait for a seat to become available before joining the game. They simply choose their preferred version of roulette, load the game, and place their bets.

Moreover, they can control all aspects of the game, including the speed, when the wheel starts spinning, the sound effects, and the appearance of the table. This flexibility also lets them change or remove their bets, actions that are typically restricted by strict rules in land-based casinos.

5Online Casino Bonuses

Last but not least, online players have the opportunity to check the rules and payouts whenever they wish. They can claim various bonuses and use bonus funds to place their bets. Overall, online roulette gives casino patrons more freedom, flexibility, and convenience than the gaming experience in a brick-and-mortar setting, where the casino has complete control over the game.

RNG Online Roulette Gameplay


Real-Money and Demo Roulette Versions

Gambling, whether online or in a land-based casino, always carries the risk of losing money. This applies to all types of casino games, but it is especially true for chance-based games such as roulette, where the outcome is indeed random and cannot be influenced by players’ skills or knowledge.

Playing Roulette for Real Money
Demo Roulette Games

RNG vs Live Roulette Games

RNG Roulette
Live Dealer Roulette
Most online casinos offer at least several types of virtual roulette - American, European, or French rules, low-limit tables, high-roller versions, etc. These types of games are based on the above-mentioned Random Number Generator, which is a highly specialized software that ensures every spin of the game is completely random and independent of past or future outcomes.
In contrast, live roulette is a combination of technology and real-life casino setting. Some online gambling operators add Live Casino sections to their websites where the games are hosted by professional casino dealers and croupiers. Thanks to the use of multiple cameras and fast Internet connection, the entire game is video streamed in real-time to players’ computers where they see the croupier spinning the wheel and announcing the winning numbers.
As we have already explained, virtual roulette is played independently by each player standing on their computers or mobile devices. The entire interface of the game is designed to replicate the real-life appearance of a spinning roulette wheel and a gaming table.
The video stream is combined with a betting interface, which allows players to place chips on the table layout. Each bet is recorded by the casino system and winnings are paid out immediately. However, live roulette does not provide players with the freedom of virtual gameplay - players have limited time for making their bets and even more importantly, they cannot play the game in fun mode.

Online Roulette Rules and Gameplay

Placing a Bet

Paytable

Additional Buttons and Sections

The rules and gameplay of virtual online roulette closely mirror those of the physical game. To start, players choose a bet size, with chips typically offered in multiple denominations from $0.10 to more than $100. After placing their bets, they click the Spin button. An animation of a spinning wheel appears, and the ball eventually lands in one of the wheel’s colored pockets.

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Game Features and Settings

With thousands of online casinos available today, the demand for new, better, and more innovative versions of roulette is tremendous. Consequently, most casino software providers have developed their own takes on the classic game, and players can now choose from hundreds of roulette variants.

Often, these games differ mainly in design and layout, as well as in specific features that do not affect the house edge at all. Nevertheless, such features and settings can greatly enhance the overall experience because they allow players to personalize the appearance and functionality of the game.

Customization
Autoplay and Quick Spin
History and Statistics
Called and Special Bets Option

Multiplayer Roulette

Multiplayer RouletteAnother important aspect players should consider when playing online roulette is the multiplayer mode offered by certain games. It is typically available on live tables and in live roulette tournaments, and although it does not differ much from standard single-player roulette, it comes with a few details worth noting.

Most importantly, some live roulette variations have limited seats, just like in land-based casinos. This means that players will need to look for a free seat at a table with suitable stake limits. This is not always possible, though, and may be quite frustrating, especially for new players who happen to visit the online casino during its busiest hours.

There are also multiplayer versions of roulette where the seats are unlimited, making this a more convenient alternative. Players do not need to wait for a seat to become available; they simply open the game and start betting real money. In addition, some versions of the game feature live chat, which allows players to communicate with each other and make the game even more interesting and enjoyable.

Ask a Question. Get an Answer.

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Find the answers of questions people asked so far:

Dan Tina

Should I trust the Hot and Cold numbers shown in some online roulette games?

Asked by: Tina | Asked on: 2023-05-29
Answered by: Dan | Answered on: 2023-05-30

Many online roulette versions include a section that displays “hot” and “cold” numbers, which are simply statistics based on a set number of previous spins. Hot numbers are those on which the ball has landed more often in recent rounds, while cold numbers have not appeared for a while. Because roulette is a game of chance, there is no reliable way to predict where the ball will land, so you should not base your bets on hot or cold numbers. Still, if you are superstitious, you might prefer to avoid the numbers listed as cold.

Dan Rosalia

Can I place called bets if the roulette version I play does not offer a racetrack?

Asked by: Rosalia | Asked on: 2023-06-05
Answered by: Dan | Answered on: 2023-06-06

Generally speaking, you do not need a racetrack to place called bets, but it is much easier to make these special wagers when a racetrack is available. Special bets such as Zero, Tier, Orphelins, and Voisins cover specific groups of numbers that sit next to each other on the roulette wheel. If the game does not offer a racetrack, you can still place these bets directly on the table’s grid, but you must first look at the wheel to identify the exact numbers included in each called bet type.

Most European and French roulette versions feature racetracks, which make placing these bets easier. All you need to do is select a called bet type, and your chips are automatically placed on the appropriate numbers. In short, you can make called bets without a racetrack, but the feature makes the process much simpler.

Dan Maureen

Which live roulette variations available online allow unlimited multiplayer experience?

Asked by: Maureen | Asked on: 2023-09-10
Answered by: Dan | Answered on: 2023-09-11

Most live roulette variations at online casinos allow an unlimited number of players to join the table simultaneously. For example, in Evolution Gaming’s Live Roulette lobby you will find a wide variety of games with different bet limits, rules, side bets, bonus features, and native-speaking dealers. The vast majority of these tables do not cap the number of participants, which is why titles such as Lightning Roulette, XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, and Auto-Roulette can host more than 2,000 players at once.

Although most multiplayer live-dealer roulette games accept unlimited players, Evolution Gaming’s Salon Privé tables are an exception. Each table is reserved for a single player at a time, catering to VIP users who place higher bets and prefer a private live-dealer experience.