Online Roulette

Roulette’s name is quite obviously French, and so too are the roulette origins. In French, roulette quite literally translates as “little wheel,” an appropriate name no doubt. The history of roulette begins in France, but it certainly doesn’t end there. Roulette history has traveled a path beaten down by many of the classic casino games; though it’s beginnings were distinctly French it wasn’t long before roulette made its way to the rest of Europe, America, and eventually the world. American roulette though very similar to the original French game has one distinct difference: an extra slot on that little wheel. Online roulette has embraced both versions of the game, giving players a choice they’ll rarely find in live casinos.

Roulette Online

The roulette wheel is no doubt a standout in any casino. People love to watch the ball bounce from one slot to another, and the atmosphere is tense as the ball slows and each player holds their breath. Online roulette captures the magic of the real thing with realistic table graphics and live chat to keep the crowd excited. If you’ve always wanted to try the wheel, online roulette gives you a priceless opportunity (and sometimes a risk-free one too) to learn the game without feeling silly in front of friends or strangers.

Experience the excitement of the game firsthand but from the privacy and security of your own home, and the next time you go out you can impress your companions with your roulette skills and knowledge. With roulette online, you can try the game in many versions and at many casinos, and you can even try it totally free. Believe it or not, free roulette games are at a number of online casinos and all you have to do to play is log in. If you want to get the full experience, you can play with cash just like you would at a live casino but with the added advantage of special bonuses and promotions.

How to Play Roulette Online

The online roulette rules are the same ones used in real-life games, so if you’ve already played live learning how to play roulette online should be easy. First you’ll place your bets. Scroll your cursor around the table to select a spot on the betting layout, and then click on your stack to choose how many chips you want to place on that bet. You may also use your mouse or special key combinations to retract/remove bets, reduce bets, or rebet (use the bet you made on the last turn again).

Most online roulette games allow several players to join a single table; that means between rounds you’ll have to wait for other players to place their bets too. In free roulette you may find yourself alone, but the roulette rules dictate that the game plays the same way regardless of how many players are present and betting. Once you have placed your bets, you will choose a “done” or “spin” button, and the animated table attendant will start the wheel. If you win, all number bets will be applied to your stack. Remember that outside bets are added back into your next bet, so if you want to claim those winnings you must remove part of those bets after every successful turn. Your total winnings will be reflected in your player account as soon as you exit the roulette game. If you play through your stack, you can add more money to the table by selecting the “cashier” option. At the end of a roulette session, some casinos provide a playing history option that allows you to review your wins and losses.

Roulette Strategy

Learning how to play roulette and how to win roulette are two very different things. On its face, roulette strategy is pretty simple. To win, you must correctly guess what number, color, or number/color combination the ball will land on. In American roulette, there are 38 numbers from 1-36 including 0 and 00. In European roulette, there are only 37 numbers with 1-36 and 0. The numbers are split into red and black spaces. Play European roulette if you can find it; because there is one less number, the house edge is almost half of what it is in an American roulette game.

The roulette rules for betting are simple too. There are two kinds of bets, inside and outside. Which bets you prefer will depend largely on your roulette strategy. The inside bets are number bets. You may bet “straight up” which is a bet on a single number, “split” which is a bet on two adjacent numbers, or use a “corner” or “street” which is betting four numbers or three numbers in a row respectively. You may also choose the “sixline” which is a double street or two rows of three, or a “house special” which is 0-1-2-3 or 00-0-1-2-3 depending on whether you are playing an American or European roulette game.

Alternately you may prefer the outside bets. These bets offer smaller payouts but also have better odds because you are playing multiple numbers at once. There are five basic outside bets: by color (red or black), evens or odds, high or low (1-18 or 19-36), columns (a single column from the betting layout), or a dozen (split 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 by player preference). The 0 or 00 slots are never included in outside bets and thus always represent a loss if landed on. Some players combine betting types to build a more comprehensive roulette strategy. For example, you may bet on the 8 straight up and then also bet on the outside chance of red. If only one bet hits, you still win!

Roulette Systems

Unlike roulette strategies, roulette systems are not about how you play but about how you bet, and more specifically about how much you bet and when. Some of the more common roulette systems include: the Martingale system, the Fibonacci system and the Labouchere system. These systems do not increase your odds of winning a roulette game and should only be used for fun or as a form of bankroll management.

Roulette Tips

Our roulette tips may be simple, but they could save otherwise unsuspecting players from making some common (and costly) roulette mistakes. Because roulette is a game of luck, there is no strategy that ensures you come out ahead. That said, there are roulette tips like these that can keep you from falling too far behind.

The Best Roulette Bets
Since roulette strategy is basically non-existent, smart betting is one of the only advantages players can give themselves. Ultimately when you choose your roulette bets, you should go with what brings you the most enjoyment, but if losing less is one of your primary objectives then it’s important to know that some roulette bets perform better than others. Generally your best roulette bets are outside bets, most of which offer almost even odds.

Play a Free Online Roulette Game
Ok ok, we’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again: take advantage of free online roulette games! If you try them once and it’s not your thing, you’ve literally got nothing to lose. Free online roulette gives even cash-strapped casino enthusiasts a chance to get in on the action and gives hesitant new online gamblers a chance to learn the game before putting cash on the table.

Understanding Roulette Systems
Not all roulette tips are about things you should do; some are about things you shouldn’t do. On our main online roulette game page, you may have already read our warning about roulette systems. Our advice regarding roulette systems stands, but if you want to know why we’re adamantly against them we’re happy to defend our opinion. Betting systems are wolves in sheep’s clothing; they promote unproven techniques and attempt to convince players to trade proven strategies for systems based on little more than superstition and mysticism. Since systems have no regard for actual odds, you’d do just as well making totally random bets.