How does roulette work?
Roulette works by allowing players to place bets on where a roulette ball will land after a croupier spins the roulette wheel. The winning number and colour determine the payouts based on the type of roulette bet placed. The core mechanic is simple: predict the pocket the roulette ball will settle into.
How to play roulette online?
To play roulette online, you first choose an online roulette game or live roulette table and select your chips value. You then place bets on the virtual roulette table layout before the croupier (or timer) calls "No more bets". The random number generator (RNG) or live wheel determines the result.
How many numbers are there on a roulette wheel?
A European roulette wheel has 37 numbered pockets: 1 through 36 plus a single zero (0). An American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, as it includes both the single zero (0) and a double zero (00) pocket. The European roulette wheel generally offers better odds.
What are the odds in roulette?
The odds vary significantly depending on your roulette bet type; a straight up bet on a single number pays 35:1, while outside bets like Red/Black pay even money (1:1). The odds reflect the risk, with lower-risk outside bets having much higher probabilities of success than higher-risk inside bets.
What are the chances of winning at roulette?
The chance of winning varies with the bet; for outside bets like Red/Black, the chance is just under 50% (48.6% on a single-zero wheel). Overall, the house advantage is always present (2.7% on European roulette), meaning that while you have a good chance of winning individual spins, the casino retains a small mathematical edge over time.
There's arguably no game more synonymous with the casino experience than roulette. The thrill of watching the ball dance its way across the different numbers, hoping it lands on your selection, is hard to match. This is why this classic hasn't just stood the test of time, it continues to thrive in the online gambling sphere. Along with being able to experience the game in its most traditional form, we have carefully curated a range of different roulette games for our players to enjoy. The includes live and turbo versions that help spice up the action!
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While its origins are unclear, it is said that roulette as we know it dates all the back to the 18th century in France. Once it made its way to casinos across the country and the rest of Europe, the game quickly became a favourite with gamblers. Its simplicity to the point where a player can just pick their lucky number makes it instantly accessible, while the excitement of waiting for the ball to fall into a pocket boosts both anticipation levels and heart rates!
These qualities meant the game made a seamless transition to the online gaming world. Online roulette is undoubtedly one of the most popular table games around. For it to achieve this fame, it also doesn't have to change up the formula that made it such a hit hundreds of years ago. There are different versions of the game available, but plenty of players at 32Red stick with the traditional experience.
Roulette truly is the undisputed queen of casino games, setting the standard for excitement and glamour, and playing roulette online offers UK players convenient and unlimited access to all these timeless thrills. Whether you decide to visit a physical casino or prefer the convenience of how to play roulette from the comfort of your own home, the core excitement and tension associated with the spinning roulette wheel remains constant.
We invite you to discover why so many players consider roulette to be one of the popular casino games in the world. Fundamentally, roulette is a game where carefully placed roulette bets have the potential to lead to truly significant winnings!
The entire game revolves around the iconic roulette wheel and the betting layout on the roulette table. The European roulette wheel is the most common, featuring 37 pockets: numbers 1-36 and a single zero (0). The betting layout mirrors the numbered pockets and is where players place bets using their chips, predicting where the roulette ball will land after the croupier spins the wheel. American roulette tables add a double-zero (00) pocket, which subtly alters the odds and increases the house advantage.
If you are a beginner and wondering how to play Roulette Online, you're in luck for two reasons. Firstly, the game's straightforward nature means you won't have your face stuck in an instruction manual trying to figure out how it works. Secondly, we have made a quick breakdown of how to play this iconic table game.
The action starts when the croupier invites you to place your bets. Be quick as they won't wait around for you to make a decision! You can bet on numbers 0-36 (American tables also have a 00), Red or Black, Odd or Even, High or Low, Dozens, Split, Street, and Corner.
Successfully mastering your preferred roulette bets is crucial if you want to play online roulette like a seasoned and experienced player. You will notice that there are distinct categories: high-risk, high-reward inside roulette bets and lower-risk, more consistent outside bets.
Inside bets are placed directly on the numbers and include the straight up bet on a single number (offering the biggest payout), corner bets on four numbers that meet at a corner, and split bets on two adjacent numbers.
You also have the street bet on a line of three consecutive numbers. Conversely, Outside bets (like Red/Black or Odd/Even) offer better odds (near 50/50, or even money) but result in substantially lower payouts (win). Choosing the right roulette bet depends entirely on your current betting strategies and personal risk appetite at the online casino. Remember, roulette is the ultimate game of chance, making it endlessly thrilling.
|
Bet Option (Type) |
Description |
Odds |
|
Straight Up (Inside Bet) |
Selecting the exact single number on the roulette table. |
35:1 |
|
Red or Black (Outside Bet) |
Choosing the correct colour for the winning number. |
1:1 |
|
Dozens (Outside Bet) |
Dozen bet on one of the three sets of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36). |
2:1 |
|
Street Bet (Inside Bet) |
Street bet on an entire horizontal line of three numbers. |
11:1 |
|
Corner Bets (Inside Bet) |
Corner bets placed on the intersection of four numbers on the layout. |
8:1 |
To prevent any confusion, here's what those options mean:
The distinction between inside bets and outside bets is fundamental to any sound roulette betting strategies. Inside bets are placed on the numbers themselves (like straight up, split bets, corner bets, and street bets) and offer high payouts but lower odds of winning on a single spin. Conversely, outside bets cover larger groups of number ranges (like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or column bets) and pay less (even money or 2:1) but have much higher hit frequencies. Understanding these two type of bets is essential for all players playing roulette.
Every table will have defined minimum and maximum bet amounts. However, you are free to bet on as many options as you wish. While far from wise, you could decide to bet on every number except for two, hope it doesn't land on the excluded options, and make a tiny gain if it hits your picks!
Once the croupier spins the roulette wheel and releases the ball, it won't be long before they declare "No more bets". As this indicates, you are no longer allowed to make any further selections for this round. The round concludes once the ball settles into a pocket on the wheel.
If you correctly predict the outcome, the payout can vary drastically depending on your option. If you staked £10 on "Red" for instance and the ball landed on "Red 16", you would get £20 back in total. Yet in the same scenario, if you had picked "16" and placed a £10 bet, you would receive £360 in total.
The odds listed above will remain the same when playing traditional online roulette games. However, these odds and the available betting options can differ if you play a more modern variation of the game. Take Lightning Roulette as an example. If the lightning strikes, it can assign up to five numbers with a bumper 500x multiplier.
In our effort to supply the best live roulette games for our players, we offer an assortment of titles to cover every angle. This has been achieved by partnering with the world's best gambling game developers. From Evolution Gaming to Real Dealer Studios, these developers know how to produce live online roulette games that stick with the formula players love and feature enough twists to keep them on their toes. You can find all our live casino games conveniently gathered in the Live Casino category in the top menu.
Whether you want to play a traditional or modern game of this table game, you can do both at 32Red. As far as the traditional experience goes, we have games that follow both European and American rules. Although, if we were to recommend one of the two, we'd have to plump with the European version. Due to the American adaptation having an additional pocket on the wheel, the return to player is higher for its European counterpart.
If you are actively looking for the most player-friendly ways to play online roulette, we highly recommend you also explore French roulette. French roulette offers additional rules (such as La Partage and En Prison) specifically on outside bets when zero hits, which further reduces the house advantage compared to standard European roulette. Both European roulette, French roulette, and American roulette offer uniquely thrilling roulette games on our premium roulette tables. Playing roulette is ultimately about constantly assessing the inherent risk and potential for substantial winnings.
Do you find the traditional experience of the ball spinning around and around… and around the wheel too slow? In that case, recent release Turbo Auto Roulette might be more to your speed. As the name suggests, rounds are streamlined and fast, and the sci-fi backdrop helps to create the perfect setting for a turbo-charged experience. There are also added features you typically won't see on a traditional table, including Special Bets, Racetrack Bets, and an autoplay option.
For a truly traditional experience, you would have to head to a physical casino, stand at a table, and stare probingly at the croupier as they spin the ball, right? While correct to a certain degree, the real-life experience of playing has never been closer to being accurately replicated at home thanks to live online roulette games.
With the way it works, you are able to watch and interact with a real-life croupier. No random number generators are involved. The game then runs exactly as you would expect when at the online casino. Place your bet, ask any questions you may have about betting limits and options, watch as the wheel and ball are spun respectively, and wait for the croupier to inform the table that 'No more bets' can be placed. If the ball lands on your selection, you can celebrate the win with others sitting around the (virtual) table. Best of all, you can sample this immersive, life-like experience from the comfort of your home. Stay in your pyjamas, slouch on the couch, and visit the Casino at your leisure.
One of our most popular live game options is Instant Roulette Live. As the name suggests, this title provides fast thrills despite being played live. Uniquely, you are given an unlimited period of time to place your bets. Yet once you have pushed those chips onto your selections and pressed the "Play" button, the action ramps up dramatically. You are transported to the next available wheel that's spinning. There are 12 wheels synchronised together, and this leads to results happening every 12-18 seconds. There's no waiting around to see if you have won or lost with your bet! In addition to online Roulette, 32Red offers a modern lobby for Live Blackjack, pulsating live casino poker games, and popular Game Shows. With an immersive environment and seamless gameplay, 32Red ensures that every moment is packed with excitement and the real feel of a top-tier casino.
For many players, playing roulette consistently goes beyond simply relying on luck. Over the years, many have developed complex betting strategies and systems aimed at disciplined money management and minimalising potential losses when the croupier spins the roulette wheel.
Two of the most commonly discussed betting strategies for most popular casino games like roulette are the Martingale system and the Fibonacci system. The Martingale system is an aggressive approach that involves doubling your wager (next bet) after every lose, and it is exclusively focused on outside bets with even money odds. The d'alembert system is a much gentler, more conservative progression, suggesting that you increase your wager (bet) by a single one unit after a lose and decrease it by a single one unit after a win. While studying these systems is fascinating, you must remember that no betting strategy guarantees a winning streak in casino roulette, as the game is purely random. However, they can certainly help you stay organised when placing your bets while you play roulette online. Roulette is a random game where the roulette ball's destination in one of the numbered pockets is unpredictable.
Create an account with 32Red Casino (18+, please gamble responsibly) and jump into the action straight away. With a range of online roulette games available, there's something for everyone to enjoy – whether you are an experienced player or a newcomer to table games. This casino classic is one of the easiest to get started with, so you won't feel out of your depth when contemplating what number, colour, or other selection to go with when making your bets.
If traditional roulette isn't to your fancy, we have other titles that add exciting features, tempting betting features, and a faster pace to proceedings. We are also always on the lookout for new games to add to our ever-growing library, so it's worth checking back on the regular to see what new titles have been added for you to enjoy.
Whenever a new game is added to our packed roster, we always ensure it functions seamlessly on all devices. We understand the importance of gaming on the go in this day and age, so each title has to work just as well when playing on mobile as it does on desktop. This diligence highlights why 32Red has been an award-winning online casino in UK since 2003 and is one that you need to try today.