Starting Out with Roulette: A Beginner's Playguide

The allure and opulence associated with roulette surpasses that of other casino games, making it incomparable. The excitement of witnessing the roulette wheel in motion, with the ball bouncing along, is truly unique and cannot be replicated or imitated. As far as casino games go, roulette stands in a league of its own, embodying finesse, skill, and strategy that captivates a substantial following in the iGaming community.

If you're a novice, don't let the game's popularity overwhelm you. Roulette is a relatively uncomplicated game with rules that are easy to grasp quickly. With this exclusive guide, you'll effortlessly become a roulette maestro, exhibiting exquisite panache in the art of playing the game.

Whether in physical casinos or online, you can enjoy playing roulette anywhere you prefer. Our guide is designed to equip you to play in any setting. However, in the current era, online gameplay predominates without a doubt. With numerous casinos saturating the iGaming market, you'll need guidance to identify the best platforms where you can confidently wager your money. This article will endorse only the top online venues, elevating your roulette experiences.

We'll break down all the rules into bite-sized pieces of information, ensuring you understand how to navigate the game. Additionally, we'll shed light on various strategies to enhance your winnings. To raise the stakes, you'll also gain insights into game variants, different bet types, and the associated odds and payouts. Before delving into those details, let's explore the origins of the game and understand its historical roots.

The Origins and Evolution of Roulette

Roulette enjoys widespread popularity in the realm of casino games, owing much of its global acclaim to a captivating history and origin. Blaise Pascal, a renowned French inventor, physicist, and mathematician, played a pivotal role in the game's creation. In his pursuit of developing a perpetual motion machine, a concept challenging the laws of physics, Pascal inadvertently gave rise to one of the most iconic casino games in 17th century France—roulette.

Though Pascal's quest for perpetual motion proved futile, the initial roulette wheels featured both a double and a single zero. The inclusion of the extra zero tilted the odds in favor of casinos, establishing a more substantial house edge. Over time, roulette gained popularity in illicit gambling establishments across France, utilizing the double-zero wheel, a format recognized today as American roulette.

In 1843, French siblings Louis and Francois Blanc introduced a significant modification by incorporating a single zero pocket. This alteration resulted in a reduced house edge, significantly elevating roulette's standing among gamblers. The version with a single zero pocket is now known as European roulette. The game swiftly found its way to New Orleans in the United States, ultimately attaining global appeal among gamblers.

Roulette Transformation: A Change in Dynamics

The advent of online gambling in the late 19th century ushered in a new era. Initially, the internet was dominated by the popularity of slot machines. However, it was only a matter of time before the sophistication of roulette found its place in the online realm.

Nowadays, you have the freedom to play roulette from virtually anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection, thanks to platforms like these Real Money Online Roulette sites. Furthermore, you can indulge in roulette gaming on a variety of devices, including your PC, Android, iOS, and Tablet. The diverse array of online roulette variants is made possible through the contributions of software developers such as RTG, Playtech, and Microgaming.

For those accustomed to the ambiance of brick-and-mortar casinos, there might be concerns about the lack of human interaction in online roulette. Rest assured, our online platforms provide various live roulette options, ensuring an authentic experience. The gameplay unfolds through a live video stream in real-time, featuring a human croupier or dealer. In essence, you don't miss out on any aspect of the traditional experience.

Guidelines and Playing Techniques for Roulette

Roulette stands out as the most popular casino game, renowned for its simplicity, as easy as counting one, two, three. Unlike more complex table games such as Baccarat and Blackjack, roulette boasts straightforward rules, offering beginners a favorable chance of success at the gaming table. The roulette table consists of two essential components: the betting board or felt, and the wheel.

The felt displays a variety of bets that players can make, serving as the space where betting chips are placed. Meanwhile, the wheel takes center stage in roulette, determining the outcome of each round. There are two distinct roulette wheel models—the American and the European—each featuring a unique number sequence. The American design comprises 38 compartments or pockets, incorporating both a double zero (00) and a single zero (0).

In contrast, the European model has 37 pockets, featuring only a single zero. This distinction positions the European version as a preferred choice among fans, offering players enhanced winning prospects. Additionally, each number on the wheel is designated a specific color, either black or red, with the zero typically colored green.

A small white ball is set in motion on the spinning wheel. As the wheel comes to a stop, the ball randomly settles into one of the pockets, determining the outcome of that particular round.

Mastering the Art of Roulette Gameplay

Now that you're familiar with the game layout, let's dive into the thrilling part – engaging in the action of playing roulette. The roulette felt boasts a plethora of betting options, which we'll delve into shortly. Before a round kicks off, you must place your preferred bets. Pro tip: consider placing multiple wagers in one round to maximize your chances of success.

Whether you find yourself in a brick-and-mortar casino or on an online gaming platform, playing chips are an essential requirement. Cash isn't accepted at the roulette table, so you'll need to exchange your money for playing chips. The chips come in various colors and denominations, depending on the casino.

In the case of a physical casino or a live-dealer roulette session online, a dealer oversees the proceedings. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball onto its course. Once you've placed your bets, you hit the spin button. The objective is to predict where the ball will land and place your wager on that specific pocket number.

However, your betting options extend beyond predicting a specific pocket. For instance, you can bet on the ball landing on a red or black color. You may also predict whether the ball will settle on an odd or even number. The possibilities are diverse, and we'll explore each one. Following the spin's outcome, winning players receive their payouts, while the house collects all losing bets. The cycle then repeats with a new round, making the entire process as straightforward as child's play, wouldn't you agree?

Varieties of Bets in Roulette

As previously mentioned, roulette offers a diverse array of bet types, each with specific odds and payouts, which we will delve into later in this guide. While the betting options in roulette are extensive, they can be categorized into two main groups: outside bets and inside bets.

Inside Bets:

These are wagers placed on specific numbers within the inner section of the roulette table. While inside bets offer higher payouts, they come with lower odds of winning. Inside bets encompass six sub-categories:

Straight Up: A wager on a single number where you place your chips directly on your chosen number. Winning occurs if the ball lands on your selected number.
Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers, with chips placed on the edge between the chosen pair. Winning transpires if the ball falls on either of the two numbers.
Street: Also known as a trio bet, it involves staking on three preferred numbers in a vertical line. A win is achieved if the ball stops at any of the chosen row numbers.
Corner: This bet covers four numerals forming a square on the felt. Place chips at the center of all four digits, and a win occurs if the ball lands on any of these numbers.
Basket: A bet on five digits (0, 00, 1, 2, & 3). Winning happens if the ball lands on any of these five numbers. Place chips on the line between zero (0) and one (1).
Line: This bet is placed on two adjacent streets. Chips are placed between the two chosen streets, and a win is achieved if the ball lands on any of the six numbers in that selection.

Outside Bets:

Contrary to inside bets, outside bets are placed on the outer segment of the roulette table. Although they offer lower payouts compared to inside bets, they come with higher winning probabilities. Outside bets encompass five sub-categories:

Black/Red: Wager by placing chips on the black or red section. A win occurs if the ball lands on any number with the color of your choice.
Even/Odd: Predict whether the ball will land on an odd or even number. Placing chips on the 'odd' or 'even' option leads to a win if the ball falls on a corresponding numeral.
High/Low: Predict if the ball will land on a high (19-36) or low (1-18) number. Place chips on the suitable high/low space, and winning happens if the ball lands on a matching digit.
Column: Bet on one of the three columns by placing chips in the designated area. A win occurs if the ball lands on any number within the chosen column.
Dozen: Bet on the ball landing on one of the three '12' squares. Place chips on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd 12 section, and winning occurs if the ball lands on any numeral within the selected 12 numbers.

Common Strategies for Betting in Roulette

Roulette is fundamentally a game of chance, and this is a fundamental piece of information that every novice player should grasp. Despite the existence of tried-and-tested strategies designed to enhance your bankroll, it's essential to understand that none of these methods guarantees a flawless success rate. Among these expert strategies are:

Martingale System: Arguably the most widely employed tactic in roulette, the Martingale strategy advocates for placing even-chip bets. The key principle is to double your previous stake following each loss. While it doesn't guarantee consistent victories, it helps prevent the complete depletion of your funds.
Labouchere System: This strategy involves setting a target win amount. Depending on whether you are winning or losing, you adjust your stake amounts accordingly. The objective is to visualize how much more you need to win to reach your target, minimizing potential losses along the way.
D’Alembert System: Bearing similarities to the Martingale System, this technique prompts players to increase their bet amounts following a loss in a roulette round. The goal is to avoid surrendering your entire bankroll to the house.
Fibonacci System: Leveraging the well-known Fibonacci mathematical sequence, this strategy involves betting in accordance with the sequence. If you win, you progress to the next number in the sequence; if you lose, you regress two steps in the series.

Different Versions of Roulette

While the trio of primary roulette variants holds its ground, our online casinos boast an array of other game variations. The leading trio comprises French, European, and American roulette, each with subtle distinctions that we'll elaborate on shortly. Despite these differences, the fundamental game rules remain consistent.

Consequently, mastering one variation translates to proficiency in playing all others. A friendly reminder: you have the option to experience the free-to-play rendition of your preferred roulette type on our online platforms. However, it's essential to keep in mind that there's no demo version available for live roulette games.

1. American Roulette

As mentioned earlier, we delved into the intricacies of the roulette wheel layout. Consequently, the American roulette variant sets itself apart from its European and French counterparts by featuring both a double zero (00) and a single zero (0) on the wheel.

The addition of (00) diminishes the likelihood of players securing victories at the table. This translates to lower chances and odds of winning in American roulette compared to its counterparts. Moreover, the house edge for this version is elevated, standing at 5.26%.

In American roulette, even-money bets face defeat if the ball comes to rest on either (00) or (0). For beginners who are in the process of learning how to play roulette, it's advisable to steer clear of the American version for evident reasons.

2. European Roulette

European roulette stands as the preferred choice for players, dominating both physical casinos and online platforms. Its popularity over the American variant is rooted in the heightened chance of winning it offers. Given this advantageous aspect, it's no wonder why we strongly recommend novice players to opt for this particular roulette version.

The distinguishing factor between American roulette and its European counterpart lies in the arrangement of their wheels. Unlike the American version, which features both a single and double zero, the European rendition restricts itself to a solitary zero.

Moreover, the house edge in European roulette dwindles to an appealing 2.7%, further incentivizing players to gravitate toward this variation. However, akin to American roulette, a ball landing on zero will result in the loss of even-chip bets.

3. French Roulette

Finally, we come to French roulette, a variation that introduces two distinctive rules into the gameplay: the en prison and la partage rules. Despite the French terminology, don't be misled into thinking it's a complex version of roulette.

On the contrary, French roulette not only stands out as a top-tier roulette type but also shines among all casino games. This distinction is owed to its remarkably low house edge, resting at a mere 1.35%. The inclusion of a single zero pocket on the French roulette wheel further contributes to this favorable house edge.

The house edge is further diminished by the implementation of the rules mentioned below:

La Partage: Translated from French to English as 'sharing,' this rule permits players to recover half of their wager on even-money bets when the ball lands on zero.
En Prison: Similar to la partage, half of the player's stake remains on the table with this rule. The term translates to 'in prison' in English, signifying that the player's stake isn't returned but rather reserved for the next bet.

However, the realm of roulette variations extends beyond the three discussed above. Other notable versions include Double Ball, Mini, Multi-Wheel, German, and English roulette. Moreover, each of these variations offers live-dealer versions for those who relish the experience of playing in live dealer rooms.

Useful Roulette Advice for Novice Players

Opt for European roulette, where your chances of winning are higher in contrast to American roulette.
Utilize the demo versions of roulette available at our casinos for practice before venturing into actual gameplay.
Establish deposit limits and avoid betting more than you are comfortable losing.
Keep in mind that no strategy guarantees perfection. Consequently, don't overly depend on tactics, recognizing that roulette is fundamentally a game of chance.

Probabilities and Payouts in Roulette

Now that you've grasped the fundamental roulette rules and the intricacies of playing the game, it's equally crucial to comprehend the potential winnings associated with each bet. Understanding the odds and payouts empowers you to make informed decisions while maintaining a strategic mindset. The ultimate objective is to maximize your winnings while minimizing the risk of losing all your funds.

Across the three major roulette variants, the odds and payouts remain consistent, as outlined below. However, the distinguishing factor lies in the win probabilities and the respective house edge for each variant, as previously discussed.

Notably, the basket bet does not feature odds and win probabilities in the table. This is because the basket bet is exclusive to American roulette and cannot be placed in European and French variants.

It's worth emphasizing that the win probabilities in American roulette are comparatively lower than those in other versions. Therefore, opting for French and European variations presents better winning opportunities in the game of roulette. Feel free to refer to the table above at any time to explore the full spectrum of odds and bets available in roulette.

Best Roulette Options for Players in the USA

Explore These Recommended Casinos:

Ignition Casino – Currently our top choice for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition Casino provides a diverse selection of Roulette options, including Classic American Roulette, American Roulette, Classic European Roulette, and European Roulette. For those seeking live dealer experiences, they offer both American and European Roulette with varying table limits, ranging from $1 to $3000. The games, developed by reputable companies like Revolver Gaming and RTG, boast high-definition graphics suitable for gaming across multiple devices. Notably, Ignition Casino stands out for its swift payout process and responsive 24/7 customer service.
Wild Casino – Tailored for USA players, Wild Casino ensures a secure gaming environment with attentive customer service. With an impressive software lineup, they present nine versions of roulette, including American Roulette, European Roulette, and specialty games like Roulette Tournament. Live dealer Roulette options are abundant, featuring table limits from $0.50 to $12,500. New players enjoy a generous bonus, coupled with various deposit and quick cashout choices.
Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino may be a newcomer, but it has swiftly earned a stellar reputation among players. Recognized for state-of-the-art games, responsive customer support, and swift payouts, they offer four realistic versions of roulette with the option for free practice play. Live dealer options are available for both American and European Roulette. New players can seize a generous sign-up bonus, and the casino supports multiple deposit methods, including Bitcoin.

Conclusion

This comprehensive article serves as a guide to simplicity, making the journey from a beginner to a seasoned roulette enthusiast easily navigable. Roulette, with its straightforward gameplay and myriad betting options, is demystified in this user-friendly guide. For beginners, focusing on even-money bets like high/low or red/black is advisable. While these bets offer relatively modest payouts, they boast the highest probability of success in roulette.

Empowered by our practical tips, you increase your likelihood of success in this game. It's essential to recognize that if the thrill of gambling ever becomes overwhelming, our casinos provide the option to self-exclude and set deposit limits, allowing you to take control of your gaming experience.