Roulette in the Casino: Rules, Types, and Strategies

Roulette is a classic casino game online. The game aims to predict which sector or area the ball will come to rest on after the wheel is spun. Chips are used for betting, and these are later exchanged with real money. A free roulette game online option is offered by most platforms, which allows beginners to practice without risking their money.

Types of Roulette

Online casino roulette comes in two versions — slots and live tables. In the first, results are determined by a random number generator. In live roulette, the wheel is spun by a live dealer in a remote studio. There are 3 main versions of the game:

• European Roulette (single zero sector)
• American Roulette (double zero sectors)
• French Roulette (single zero and half-bet return rule)

The standard roulette game is dealt on a wheel that has 37 or 38 compartments (single or double zeros). Online casinos also offer the following variations: mini roulette (13 pockets), no-zero roulette, and games where one can win a progressive jackpot by placing a side bet.

Order of Numbers on the Roulette Wheel

The European and French roulette wheels are divided into 37 compartments. Half of the 36 numbered pockets are red and half black. And, of course, there is the zero — a green pocket. The numbering is somewhat unconventional. Starting with zero, the numbers in a clockwise pattern are: 32 (red), 15 (black), 19 (red), 4 (black), and on to 3 (red) and 26 (black). In the American variant, there are 2 zero pockets — 0 and 00. Numbering is different, but the strict alternation of red and black colors remains.

Betting Rules

It is necessary to learn the rules before playing roulette. Slot machines usually have a free demo mode in which it is possible to practice without financial risks. Bets are split into two groups: external and internal. The external bets are:

• Red or black number
• Even or odd number
• Dozen — a bet on a series of numbers, 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36
• Low (1–18) or high (19–36) numbers

Payouts for these bets are 2:1 or 3:1 (for the dozen). When the ball drops on zero, the casino captures the bet (European and American) or returns half of it (French roulette).

The rules of the game also offer an internal betting field. It consists of a table with three vertical and twelve horizontal number-filled columns, and there is also an extra zero pocket. The internal bets are made by the players on this field. The most familiar bet is on a single number (straight-up), which pays 36 to 1. The bets may also be on two, three, four, or six adjacent numbers on the table, along with some other combinations. Full instructions of rules for a specific game should be on the casino site. 

How to Win Using a Strategy

The majority of gamblers desire a big win, and not just once, but regularly. There exist a number of strategies that can help in accomplishing this. Online, it is easy to find explanations of popular systems. The most famous among them are:

• Martingale (the "chase" system)
• Fibonacci numbers
• D'Alembert system
• The "zero" strategy

There is no ideal system. Even a high mathematical probability does not guarantee a win. It is preferable to take the game as entertainment, which sometimes can provide very pleasant surprises.

Focus on the "Zero" Sector

Let's discuss more in detail the "zero" sector, which gives advantage to the casino. If the ball drops into the zero sector, the player loses the bet. However, in some varieties of roulette, there are special rules for the zero sector. Let's look at them in more detail:

• En Prison — a rule used in European roulette. According to this rule, when the ball lands on zero, the player loses only half of the bet on even-money bets.
• Surrender — a rule used in American roulette. This rule is similar to En Prison and allows players to get half of their even-money bet back if the ball lands on zero.
• La Partage — French roulette is dealt under the same conditions as American roulette. When the ball lands on the zero pocket, the player gets 50% of their even-money bet.

Chances of Winning

Internet roulette always offers the potential to win a decent sum. The chances of winning depend on the strategy and version played. If, for example, you are consistently betting on red/black or even/odd, then the European and French versions are more promising, as the American version has an additional zero. In addition, in French roulette, half of the bet is returned if the ball lands in the zero pocket.