Rules and Roulette Betting Strategy
As with all popular gambling games, there are many variations of roulette, so you might encounter differences in the rules. However, the core of the game always remains the same. You have a table with various numbers coloured in red and black, along with different sectors for bets.
After you place your bet, the dealer spins a ball and a big wheel with either 36 or 37 pockets, depending on the version. The most common versions are French, American and European, each with their own unique differences. You win if you guess the correct slot that the ball lands in. Although the game is best played with a live dealer, you can find some amazing online roulette betting games at the best online roulette sites.
How to Bet on Roulette Online
Roulette betting games are typically best experienced at real casinos. However, those who wish to try the fun of roulette games but can’t visit a land-based casino have the wonderful option of online casinos. Test out your favourite betting strategy with exciting online versions at one of the top 10 UK roulette sites or try out one of the websites below.
| Casino: | Sign Up Offer: | Best Roulette Game: | Casino Rating: | Secure Link: | Terms: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 888 Casino | 100% Match Up to £400 Welcome Bonus | Roulette Advanced |
5 ★ out of 5 |
grosvenorcasinos.com | Full T&Cs apply.100% buy-in up to £400 buy-in bonus. Min £20 cash buy-in to be eligible. Offer only available on classic slot games. Max bonus £400. Max stake £2. 20x wagering requirements on total of buy-in and bonus amount. Bonus is valid for 7 days. Keep it fun – set your deposit limit. |
| 2. NetBet | 100% Match Up to £200 + 10 Free Spins | European Roulette |
4.9 ★ out of 5 |
casino.netbet.co.uk | Full T&Cs apply. New players, £10+ deposit required, no e-wallets/prepaid cards,30x Playthrough on Bonus and 50x on Free Spins winnings. |
| 3. 888casino | Up to £100 + £88 Free Play Welcome Bonus | Lightning Roulette |
4.8 ★ out of 5 |
888casino.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+ No Deposit Offer : New players only • £88 is granted in FreePlay (FP) • FP must be claimed within 48 hrs of receiving the email and expires after 14 days • FP wins are credited as bonus and capped at £15, exc. JP win • Deposit Bonus Offer: £20 min deposit • 100% up to £100 Bonus • Bonus wins are capped at £500 • To withdraw bonus & related wins, wager 30 x (bonus amount) within 90 days • Restrictions apply to deposit until wagering requirement fulfilled • Wagering req. vary by game • This offer may not be combined with any other offer • Withdrawal restrictions & full T&Cs apply: No Deposit Offer terms & Deposit Bonus Offer terms. |
| 4. PlayOJO | 50 Free Spins No Wagering + 1 Prize Twister Spin | Multifire Roulette |
4.7 ★ out of 5 |
playojo.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. First deposit only. 50 Free Spins on the Book of Dead slot. Min deposit £10. Excl. new players in N.I. Each Free Spin valued at 10p. OJO’s Rewards and Game Play policy applies. |
| 5. Betvictor | Wager £10 Get £30 + 100 Free Spins | 20p Roulette |
4.6 ★ out of 5 |
betvictor.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+, New customers. Opt in. £70 bonus = 2x £20 and 3x £10 bonuses for selected games, up to 40x wagering. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Max Redeemable £1,750. Paypal & Card Payments only. Wager £10 on selected games within 7 days of registration. Geo Restrictions. |
| 6. Grand Ivy | Up to £1500 + 100 Free Spins Welcome Bonus | Double Ball Roulette |
4.5 ★ out of 5 |
grandivy.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. One bonus offer per player. Minimum deposit £20. Max bonus bet is £5. Bonus spins on selected games only and must be used within 72 hours. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days otherwise any unused bonus shall be removed. Bonus funds are 100% match up to £300 on your 1st deposit, 25% match up to £800 on your 2nd deposit, and 50% match up to £400 on your 3rd deposit. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds contribute towards any wagering requirements. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org. |
| 7. Casimba | 100% Match Up to £500 + 50 Free Spins | 3D European Roulette |
4.4 ★ out of 5 |
casimba.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. 1 bonus offer per player. Min. deposit £20. Max. bonus bet is £5. Bonus spins on selected games only and must be used within 72 hours. Bonus funds expire in 30 days, unused bonus funds will be removed. Bonus funds are 100% match up to £500 on your 1st deposit, 25% match up to £1000 on your 2nd deposit, and 50% match up to £500 on your 3rd deposit. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds count towards wagering contribution. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org |
For those who wish to put their roulette betting system to the test, there is even the option of live casinos. You can experience the authentic glamour and excitement of a land-based casino from the comfort of your home. You can also chat with other players and the dealer. We will now go over the various types of bets you will encounter when you use your roulette betting strategy.
Overview of the Roulette Betting System
There can be a variety of different bets depending on which version of roulette you play. The most common types are inside bets (betting on one or a group of numbers), outside bets (groups of numbers or colors), and called bets (special groups). Each of the bets offers different payouts and odds, so different players will have their preferences. In the next paragraphs, we will go into more detail on each type of bet and how to utilize them properly.
Interesting fact:
It is believed that the first roulette was made by Blaise Pascal in the 17th c. He would introduce a primitive form of the roulette wheel to find a perpetual motion machine. The game in its current form has been played since the 18th c.
Inside Bets: Betting on Numbers
Inside bets are the most well-known among players. You bet on one of the numbers in the grid or on a combination if you place the chip right. These bets are the focus of a roulette betting strategy, as they have incredibly high payouts. However, this also involves high risk as the odds are very small. Below you will find a list of the inside bets and their payouts.
| Name of Bet | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Straight (35:1 payout) | Bet on a single number by placing a chip in the centre of the square |
| Split (17:1 payout) | Bet on two adjacent numbers by placing a chip on the common edge |
| Street (11:1 payout) | Bet on three numbers in one row by placing a chip on the outer corner of the row |
| Corner (8:1 payout) | Bet on four numbers by placing a chip on the common corner. Known as First Four if the combination is 0-1-2-3 |
| Six Line (5:1 payout) | Bet on six numbers by placing a chip on an adjacent corner of the leftmost or rightmost numbers |
| Trio (11:1 payout) | Bet on three numbers that involve a 0 or 00 such as 0-1-2, placing the bet on the shared corner |
| Basket (6:1 payout, American Roulette only) | Bet on a combination of 0-00-1-2-3 by placing a bet on a shared corner of line and 0 boxes. |
The payouts can be very rewarding if you manage to guess correctly, but the roulette betting system of inside bets is also very risky. For example, a straight bet only has 2.70% odds to win in European Roulette. The odds are lower in American Roulette due to the added 00. Betting on groups of numbers increases the odds, but lowers the payout, so you’ll have to plan your bets carefully.
In online roulette betting, you may also encounter other types of bets, so make sure to follow the rules carefully. Some strategies involve inside bets, but they are more suitable for high rollers and involve a lot of risks. For low rollers, there are plenty of outside bets and many popular strategies that utilize them.
Outside Bets: Lower Stakes, Higher Chance of Winning
If you’re a low roller or beginner in roulette betting, you might be more inclined to try the outside bets. These allow you to bet on special groupings of numbers, such as columns or three different dozens. The three other common types are: betting on low or high numbers (1-18 and 19-36), black or red numbers, and odd or even numbers. These are known as even bets and are used most commonly in strategies.
While the odds are higher, going up to 48.60%, the payouts are only 2:1 and 1:1. You can use a roulette betting strategy, as most of the popular ones involve these types of bets. All these bets will lose if the ball lands on a zero, but your odds are still better than inside bets. However, their low risk makes them appealing for experimentation with strategies and frequent rewards. You can experiment with them at some of the best live roulette casinos.
Special Bets: Racetrack, Neighbours and More
Called bets are the final type you will encounter in a roulette betting system. These mostly appear in the French and European Roulettes, although American Roulette can also offer a few. They are placed on a separate grid called a “racetrack” due to its shape. You can find more information on each specific bet in the table below.
| Name of Bet | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Vousins du Zero (variable, 24:1 highest payout) | Bet on 0 and the 17 numbers closest to it on either side |
| Jeu Zero (variable, 26:1 highest payout) | Similar to Vousins, but only covers the 7 numbers closest to 0 on either side |
| Tiers du Cylindre (17:1 payout) | Covers a third of the wheel and is on the opposite side of Vousins |
| Orphelins (35:1 or 17:1) | Place a bet on the remaining 8 numbers that are not covered by the other two bets |
| Neighbours (variable) | A straight bet on one number and two other numbers on either side of it |
| Final (variable) | Place a straight bet on numbers ending in a digit you choose. Example: 4, 14, 24, 34 |
Each of these bets covers a section of the wheel and is usually a combination of several bets such as Baskets and Straights, so the payout can vary depending on which number the ball lands on. Since they are a combination of various inside bets, you can apply your favourite roulette betting system here as well. Note that some versions do not offer called bets, so always check to make sure they are available.
In online roulette betting, you’ll encounter even more bets and features. You can find multipliers, bets that are exclusive to that game, or even the ability to spin two balls at the same time. Roulette betting is incredibly flexible and you can spend hours trying out various strategies. You can also spice up your fun with some of the best online roulette bonuses.
Optimal Gameplay and The Best Roulette Betting Strategy
Now that you are familiar with the different bets, it is time to choose your roulette betting strategy. We will go over five of the most popular strategies used by roulette players. However, there are many more strategies that exist, so you should do some research before deciding on your best roulette strategy. They can involve anything from mathematical formulas to simply recognizing patterns.
Before you head into studying these strategies, you should take note of a few things. Make sure you have planned your budget, along with loss limits. The strategies can be a bit taxing, so it’s important to be prepared to execute them. Additionally, you must make sure you understand them perfectly. Many of them require precise calculation or keen senses, so be prepared, and find one that suits your playstyle.
Finally, you should note that these strategies are not flawless. They have cons and combined with the low odds and house edge, you will eventually lose. The strategies won’t improve your odds, but they will certainly make the game more enjoyable and help you win more often in the short term.
Fibonacci Strategy: Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio exists in many things, including gambling. In short, the Fibonacci sequence states that each number is a sum of the two previous ones (1,1,2,3,5,8…). To use this strategy, you must first place two consecutive wagers on one of the six even money options (odd, even, red, black, 1 to 18, and 19 to 36).
For example, let’s start with a £3 bet. If we lose, we follow the sequence and increase to £5. Winning means we keep the same bet until we lose. It’s simple to understand, making it a popular roulette betting strategy.
Interesting fact:
The Fibonacci sequence is an intrinsic part of nature. This is because it embodies optimality. Plants use the optimal space to grow and the length of the bones in a human finger closely resembles the sequence. Fibonacci himself even started this theory when he observed rabbit reproduction.
Martingale Strategy: Popular with High Rollers
The Martingale roulette betting system is the most well-known strategy used by roulette players. This is partially due to its simplicity and allows you to recoup losses. Essentially you plan your budget and make a bet. Whenever you lose, you double your bet. When you win, you will recoup your losses and even win a small amount.
The strategy works best when used on 50/50 bets such as red or black and works well in the short term. However, it is most suitable for experts and high rollers due to the large spending. Note that the strategy allows you to quit at any time, so you have control over the risk.
James Bond Strategy: Popular with Beginners
The last two strategies were known as progressive, as the bet increases with each loss. However, the James Bond strategy is non-progressive, so you just place the same bet every time. This roulette betting system essentially covers half the table in bets.
You take an amount of money you are willing to bet, such as £200, and spread it across several bets. 70% on a High bet, 25% on the 13-18 line bet, and 5% on zero. It’s not the best roulette betting strategy, but the odds increase to 67.6%, so it’s worth trying out if you’re a high-roller.
Interesting fact:
The name of the strategy comes from the James Bond book and movie Casino Royale. In it, he develops his roulette strategy to beat the odds of the casino. As such, it is popular with beginners due to its simplicity and safety, but most suitable for high-rollers as you need a good amount to spread evenly.
Paroli Strategy: Reverse Martingale
This roulette strategy is like the Martingale, but is a positive progressive version. You still bet on even bets, but instead of increasing the bet on a loss, you increase it on a win. The idea is to exploit winning streaks and win big while keeping the bet the same when losing to prevent huge losses. It is far from the best roulette betting strategy as a losing streak will decimate your bankroll, but you can ultimately win more than with the Martingale.
Labouchere Strategy: Plan in Advance
The Labouchere is a very complex one, so you will need a bit of practice to make it work. First, decide how much you want to win, such as £100. Divide the number into smaller sections like 10-10-10-20-20-20-10. Then combine the first and last number to create the amount you bet, which is £20 in this case and place it on an even bet.
If you win, you cross out the first and last numbers. If you win, you add the bet amount to the list, following the last number. It is a mathematical roulette betting strategy that helps keep track of your wins and losses but won’t improve your odds.
FAQ Section
Before we conclude our post on roulette betting, we will provide a small FAQ section. As online roulette betting is very complex, you will find answers to all your pressing questions and issues. Enjoy this fun, strategic game with complex strategies and a variety of unique and interesting betting options.