How to Play Online Roulette: Rules

Roulette is an iconic casino game, renowned for its blend of simplicity and pure fun. As they say, everything ingenious is simple. This is especially true in the case of roulette. The game uses a spinning wheel and a ball. That's it. And players, in turn, place bets on where the ball will land. And while the game is easy to learn, understanding the rules, table layout, and different types of bets will help you make better decisions and play more efficiently. In this article, I'll walk you through every critical aspect of roulette, so you'll have a basic understanding of the game. The rest will come with experience.

Roulette Variants & Wheel Differences

Not all roulette wheels are built the same. Here’s what each main variant looks like, how it plays, and why your odds shift. 

European Roulette (Single-Zero)

• Wheel: 37 pockets — numbers 1–36 plus a single green 0.

• Table: standard layout with one zero box.

• House edge: ~2.70% on all standard bets.

• Why it’s better: with only one zero acting as the house pocket, your chance to hit even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36) is higher than on an American wheel.

American Roulette (Double-Zero)

• Wheel: 38 pockets — 1–36, a green 0, and a green 00.

• Table: same grid as European, plus an extra 00 box.

• House edge: ~5.26% on standard bets (roughly double European).

• Why it’s worse: that extra zero is one more way to miss your even-money wagers and single-number picks.

Some casinos offer triple-zero wheels (0, 00, 000), which pushes the house edge even higher. If you’re value-conscious, avoid them.

French Roulette (Single-Zero + Player-friendly rules)

• Wheel: visually the same as European — 37 pockets with a single 0.

• Special rules (even-money bets only):

  • La Partage — if the ball lands on 0, half your even-money bet is returned, you lose only half.

  • En Prison — if 0 hits, your even-money bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin. If that next spin wins, your original stake is returned (no profit), if it loses, you lose it.

• House edge: these rules effectively halve the edge on even-money bets to about ~1.35%, making French the most player-friendly option. 

A few practical differences you’ll notice

The number order around the wheel differs between European and American designs (not just the count of zeros). This matters mainly for racetrack/neighbor bets you’ll see on European/French layouts.

Also, American layouts include an extra 00 field, European/French do not. So if you can choose, pick European or French roulette for better long-term value. American (and especially triple-zero) is fine for casual fun, but it taxes your bankroll faster.

Anatomy of the Wheel and Table Layout

Before we begin to understand the game and its rules, it is worthwhile to consider the playing field itself. You can know the rules, but not understand what happens when the reel spins. I suggest you avoid this.

The roulette wheel is carefully engineered to keep the game random and fair. Each wheel has:

• Pockets — numbered slots (red, black, and green for zeros) where the ball eventually lands.

• Rotor — the spinning center of the wheel that keeps the ball moving.

• Ball track — the circular rim where the ball is released before dropping into the rotor.

• Diamonds (deflectors) — small obstacles on the track that knock the ball off its path, ensuring unpredictable outcomes.

Together, these elements make it impossible to predict where the ball will settle, keeping the game exciting.

On the table layout, bets are divided into two categories:

• Inside bets — placed on specific numbers or small groups (straight-up, split, corner, etc.). Higher payouts but lower odds.

• Outside bets — cover larger sections (red/black, odd/even, dozens, columns) — safer, but smaller payouts.

The primary difference between American and European layouts is the additional 00 pocket in American roulette, which introduces one more betting box and increases the house edge. 

How to Play: Basic Steps

Roulette is easy to pick up once you know the flow of a round. Here’s how it works:

Step 1 — Place Your Bets
Choose your chip size and put them on the table layout. You can bet on individual numbers (inside bets) or broader outcomes like red/black or odd/even (outside bets).

Step 2 — Spin the Wheel 

In online roulette, you’ll press the “Spin” button, and the system uses RNG to generate the result. In live roulette, the dealer physically spins the wheel and launches the ball.

Step 3 — Wait for the Outcome
The ball lands in a pocket (0-36, plus possibly 00), and the winning number/color is revealed.

Step 4 — Collect Your Payout
Winning bets are paid according to the payout table, losing bets are cleared, and the next round begins.

In general, that's all. The rules here are elementary, but as you can imagine, it's not all about them.  Now you need to consider the Roulette payout table.

Roulette Payouts Table

Refer to the roulette payout chart below to visualize potential payouts and the odds of winning for each type of roulette bet.

The house edge depends on the wheel version — 2.70% in European, 5.26% in American, and just 1.35% in French (on even-money bets with La Partage). Outside bets are safer and give more consistent wins, while inside bets are riskier but deliver big payouts when they land.

Live Dealer vs RNG Online

When playing online, roulette comes in two main formats: RNG-powered and live dealer.

RNG roulette is run by a computer’s random number generator, ensuring every spin is fair and unbiased. These games are fast, consistent, and independently audited for fairness — ideal for those who want quick play without waiting.

Live dealer roulette, on the other hand, streams a real casino table with a human dealer spinning the wheel. The rules are the same, but the atmosphere is more immersive and social, giving you the feel of a brick-and-mortar casino from home.

Final Words

Roulette is a timeless casino classic. This one game combines everything that players crave - fun, simplicity, and uniqueness. Whether you're playing European Roulette with a lower edge, French Roulette with player-friendly rules, or the American version for a casual game, the basics remain the same - place your bets, watch the ball spin, and see where it lands. Nothing more, you are only asked to place a bet, the rest of the time you read and keep the thrill and healthy anxiety that all players know.

For beginners, the easiest way to learn without pressure is to start with outside bets and practice in demo mode. For experienced players, it's helpful to understand the differences between wheel types, bet payouts, and house edges to make more informed choices over time.

First and foremost, roulette is a form of entertainment. Play responsibly, enjoy the thrill of each spin, and remember that no system can beat the house edge, but an innovative approach will help you stretch your bankroll and get the most out of the game.