Roulette is a classic casino game that has provided centuries of excitement for gamblers. Now, with online roulette, USA players can access the excitement at their convenience. The game originated in the late 18th century in France. The word roulette translates to ‘little wheel’ and describes the table used to play the game that has kept the world captivated since the 1700s.
Roulette tables are known to hold the highest amount of money compared to other popular casino games. With such a big payout on the line, the anticipation of a roulette spin is an incomparable thrill. Keep reading to find the best online casinos to play roulette, tips and tricks, and more about the classic and exciting game.
Top Online Casinos for Roulette Players in the USA
How to Play Online Roulette
Roulette is a game you can quickly master. The rules are simple, the strategy is basic, and the game is thrilling. The game is based on the result of where a small ball lands in the wheel. The wheel of the roulette table is partitioned in numbered sections that have alternating colors of red and black. When the wheel spins, the ball rolls around a track on the wheel in the opposite direction of the wheel. When the wheel slows to a stop, the ball falls into the middle of the wheel and comes to a rest in the slot of a number. Before the ball stops, players bet on where they predict the ball to land. So it goes something like this:
- Players place bets on the roulette board. These bets can be for a specific number, for a group of numbers, for odd or even numbers, or for red or black.
- The virtual dealer, known as a croupier at the roulette table, spins the wheel and releases the ball.
- The wheel slows to a stop and the ball settles to rest on a number.
- If the ball stops on the number, color, or a number in a group you selected, you win!
- If you win, you can leave your winnings on the table to play the next round. This is known as ‘letting it ride’. You are also welcome to walk away with your winnings, or stake a different amount.
Some bets have a better edge than others, so take a look at the chart below. This will help you fine-tune your strategy for online roulette. You’ll see that as the odds of hitting a certain bet get lower, the payout gets higher.
Online Roulette Bets, Odds, and Payout Table
| Bet | Payout | Odds of Hitting
In European Roulette |
Odds of Hitting
In American Roulette |
| Even or Odd | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Red or Black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Low (numbers 1-18) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High (numbers 19-36) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Dozen (1-12; 13-24; or 25-36) | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Entire Column | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Six Numbers | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Five Numbers | 6:1 | – | 13.16% |
| Four Numbers | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Three Numbers | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Two Numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Single Number | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
The Variations of Online Roulette
Even the variations of roulette are simple enough to pick up quickly. Since it was born in the late 1700s and is played around the globe, roulette has had plenty of time to develop into a few different versions. The basic structure stays the same: players place bets on where the ball will land, the wheel is spun, and the ball determines the winning outcome. Those players who bet on the winning number will receive payouts and all others forfeit their stake to the house.
The main variants between different roulette games are the number of wedges on the wheel, which affects odds and the house edge. Let’s compare American Roulette to European Roulette.
American Roulette
An American Roulette wheel has the numbers 1-36 alternating red and black, with two green slots as well. The two green slots are number ‘0’ and ‘00’ and are positioned opposite each other on the wheel. These green slots give the house an edge. Since ‘0’ or ‘00’ is not included in bets placed on evens, odds, in bets on groups of numbers, or in a red or black grouping, the casino has a slight advantage. The house edge is approximately 5.26%.
European Roulette
In European Roulette, the house edge is slightly lower, since there is only one green slot with the number ‘0’. The numbers on the European Roulette wheel are also in a different order than those of the American Roulette wheel. The house edge for European roulette is approximately 2.7%.
French Roulette
French Roulette is known as the original version and offers players slightly better odds and a lower house edge. Similar to European Roulette, French Roulette has only one green slot, the ‘0’ slot. The odds of the ball landing in the green slot are the same at 2.63%. The difference is, French Roulette employs the rule of La Partage, which states that a player only forfeits 50% of their even money bets if the ball comes to rest on the ‘0’.
Recommended Roulette Games
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Online Roulette Strategy
Online roulette strategy is all about knowing your odds. Understanding what odds you have for placing each bet will help define your game. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Practice or Free Play – If you’re just familiarizing yourself with the game, don’t be afraid to step up to a free roulette table. Most online casinos offer free play or free spins that will help you get started. This is a fantastic way to learn the rules and try a few different strategies before you start playing for real money.
Start Small – Start your online roulette game by placing a few small bets. Find a roulette table with low a minimum bet and a high maximum bet. This way, you can risk small amounts and have plenty of room to double your losing bets.
Place Outside Bets – Outside bets have higher probability of occurring. They may have lower payouts, but they’ll get you started on a good note and be good experience for new players.
Set Limits for Yourself – Set a limit for yourself so you don’t stake more than you can afford, or more than you were planning to.
Remember the House Edge – Always remember that whatever strategy you employ, if any, it cannot overcome the house edge created by the green 0 slots. After all, it’s a gamble! Chances are, you’ll walk away with a little less money than what you started with. If you play European or French roulette styles, you’ll be able to lower the house edge, which may make an important difference for you! But always play for the experience.
Play with Bonuses – Look at our reviews for the best bonus offers from online casinos for US players. This way, you can start your roulette experience with a little extra in your bankroll.
Online Roulette Strategy for Beginners
One of the favored roulette strategies is known as the Martingale system. This system involves the player doubling their bet every time they lose, until they win. They then collect their winnings and begin again with a low bet.
So for example, a player places a bet of $10 on red. If they win, they collect their winnings and place another $10 bet on red. If the player loses, they stake $20 on the same bet. If they win this bet, they recover the lost $10 and make a profit. If the $20 bet loses, the strategy suggests placing the same bet with $40. This strategy is based on the law of averages, claiming that a losing streak will always end. And with this system, when the losing streak ends, the player will win out. Before attempting to use this strategy, players must be aware of any table limits enforced at the roulette game they choose. If a player can’t double a losing bet because of a low table limit, this strategy will not work.
Online Roulette Strategy for Advanced Players
There are many variations of roulette strategies, with some players following a preferred strategy religiously. Take your time familiarizing yourself with an advanced strategy and don’t hesitate to test a few out on free play before you commit to one.
The Paroli strategy is almost the opposite of the Martingale system. With this strategy, players double their bets when they win, rather than when they lose a bet. When using the Paroli strategy, it’s very important to set a betting limit, so as to not bet a massive stash of chips you would’ve been better off cashing out. Some players prefer this strategy because if you do lose that massive stash of chips, you’re just back to square one, since the chips lost were winnings and just your initial stake.
The Fibonacci strategy uses the famous Fibonacci sequence to calculate bets. There are also strategies known as the James Bond strategy, the Insurance strategy, or Oscar’s Grind strategy. Whatever strategy you choose, if any, just remember to enjoy the thrill.
The Rules of Online Roulette
Roulette can’t chalk up its worldwide popularity just to the excitement, it’s also incredibly simple to learn.
The first step is placing bets. There are two types of bets in roulette – inside bets and outside bets. Outside bets have lower payouts, but are more likely to occur. Inside bets have a lower probability of occurring, but have higher payouts.
Outside Bets
When you place an outside bet, it’s located on the outside area of the table. Outside bets include:
- Dozens: a bet on a group of 12 numbers; there are 3 groups available to bet on: the first dozen (1-12), the second dozen (13-24), and the third dozen (25-36)
- Columns: a bet on a column of the betting table
- Colors: a bet that the ball will land on a red or black slot
- Low/highs: a bet on low numbers (1-18) or high numbers (19-36)
- Even/odds: a bet on all even numbers or all odd numbers
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on the inside area of the betting table. The bet is either placed on a single number, or on a line between numbers to make a combination bet. A combination bet can be made including two to six numbers.
- Straight up: this is a bet placed on a single number
- Split bets: this is a bet on two numbers that are next to each other on the board either vertically or horizontally
- Street bets: a bet placed on three horizontal numbers
- Corner bets: a bet on four numbers that create a square on the board
- Line bets: a bet placed on six numbers that are in two adjacent rows
Conclusion
Now, with online casinos, you can access this centuries-old game from the comfort of your home or even on the go with mobile. Being able to understand the odds of roulette will give you an advantage to make smarter bets. But always remember, at the end of the day, the house has an edge at the roulette wheel. This is what makes the risk so exciting! You have the possibility to win big and knowing a little more about this classic game will increase your chances. It’s important to set betting limits with yourself, especially for such a fun and fast moving game. Never bet over your budget and always be able to walk away.