Bernd Becker 
Its initial invention might have been an accident, but Roulette is now one of the most iconic casino games out there. The Roulette wheel is instantly recognisable and helps the game stand out amongst other table games based on playing cards and dice.
Online Roulette has been on the rise for a while, with players able to play a game without having to travel to a land-based casino venue. So, if you’re looking to play Roulette at an online casino, here’s our basic guide to how it works and what to expect.
Understanding the Basics
Like any other casino game, Roulette is a game of chance with outcomes that are entirely random in nature. Players make wagers on where they think a spinning ball will stop, with a wide variety of options laid out on the table layout.
There are three major formats of Roulette, all of which are available online, along with some more modern variants that put a fresh spin on the classic gameplay formula.
European Roulette is the most common variety, with a total of 37 pockets that includes a single green zero.
American Roulette adds an extra pocket to the wheel, upping the house edge with the addition of a double zero. This makes the American format slightly less popular, due to its lower odds.
French Roulette is basically the same as European, with the exception of two additional rules that actually lower the house edge further on some wagers.
Inside and Outside Bets
The main thing to understand in Roulette are the wagering options that players can choose from. These are split into two categories – inside and outside bets.
Inside bets are found in the centre of the table layout, with the three columns of individual numbers. These aren’t just limited to wagers on single pockets and can be placed on groups of up to six numbers. While these wagers have lower odds this is balanced with higher potential payouts.
Outside bets are less specific and are placed on characteristics such as pocket colour, whether the number is odd or even, and whether it is high or low. These wagers cover much broader areas of the wheel, giving them a higher probability of landing. But this means that they also carry smaller payouts relative to inside bets.
How to Play Online Roulette
A game of online Roulette is quite straightforward, and even comes with less specific etiquette to understand compared to land-based Roulette games.
First up, players need to decide which variety of Roulette they want to play. This is mostly down to personal preference, with most online casinos offering at least a few different formats.
Once players join a game, they are prompted to choose their wagers. Rather than placing physical chips on a table, the online interface allows players to select their bet type and then click on the digital table layout to place it.
When the wagers are placed, players can click on the spin button to initiate the Roulette wheel’s spin. A random number generator (RNG) will determine the outcome of the spin, with the virtual ball bouncing around the wheel just as it would in a land-based game.
After the ball has come to a stop the software will announce the result and resolve the player’s wagers accordingly.
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Simple, right?
