The spinning wheel, the bouncing ball, and the hold-your-breath moment before it lands-roulette is the heartbeat of the casino floor. In the world of online roulette, the pace of the game quickens, but the math doesn’t change one whit.
To someone who doesn’t know anything about it, roulette betting would appear utter chaos. However, every inch of the wheel is designed around specific probabilities. Understanding the difference between a “Straight Up” bet and a “Corner” bet is the key to managing your bankroll and extending your playtime.
Here’s a look inside the wheel, how the payouts work, and where you can play.
The Wheel: American vs. European
Before you ever place a chip, the green numbers of the wheel must be observed-this is the single most important factor in your odds.
- European Roulette (The Player’s Choice): This wheel has 37 pockets, being numbers 1 through 36, with a single green 0. The house edge here is 2.7%.
- American Roulette (The House’s Favorite): To this wheel, an extra “00” pocket is added, making 38 pockets in all. That extra number pushes the house edge up to 5.26%.
Strategy Tip: If available, always play European Roulette. In online roulette, you usually have the choice—don’t voluntarily give the casino a higher edge!
Inside Bets: High Risk, High Reward
Inside bets go within the inner grid of numbers. These are for players chasing big payouts, but with lower chances of winning.
- Straight Up: 35:1 betting on a single number, like Red 7. It’s the hardest to hit but pays the biggest.
- Split (17:1): Place a chip on the line between two numbers. You win if either hits.
- Street (11:1): A bet on a row of three numbers, such as 1, 2, 3.
- Corner Bet 8:1 Place a chip at an intersection where four numbers meet.
- Line (5:1): Bet on two adjacent rows — in total, 6 numbers.
Outside Bets: The Safer Grind
“Outside” bets go on the edge of the table. They are bets on large sections of numbers and have a higher chance of winning but with lower payouts.
- Red/Black (1:1): The most famous bet. You will cover almost half the wheel, excluding the 0.
- Odd/Even (1:1): Similar to Red/Black, covering 18 numbers.
- High/Low: Bet upon either 1-18 or 19-36.
- Columns (2:1): A bet on one of the three vertical columns of numbers.
- Dozens (2 to 1): Betting on the first (1-12), second (13-24), or third (25-36) set of numbers.
Top 5 Competitor Comparison: Where to Play
When it comes to online roulette, some sites do things better than others. Here is how five major industry names compare.
1. BitBetWin
- Best For: US players looking to engage in “Sweepstakes” style play.
- The Experience: BitBetWin is an aggregator, meaning they host several different software platforms under one roof, like Vegas7 or RiverMonster. Though famous for slots, many of their sub-platforms have to offer digital roulette.
- Pros/Cons The accessibility and crypto deposits are great, but the graphics on some of the older sweepstakes’ platforms feel a bit outdated in comparison with modern casinos.
2. Gambling.com
- Best For: Education and finding regulated bonuses.
- The Experience: Gambling.com is not a casino in itself but rather an enormous review and strategy hub. If you want to learn advanced roulette systems like Martingale or Fibonacci, or find which legal casinos in your state offer European Roulette, this is where you start.
- Pros/Cons: You cannot play directly on the site, but it refers you to the safest and highest-rated legal operators.
3. Blackjack.com
- Best For: Table game purists.
- The Experience: The name itself indicates this is a table game-heavy site. While Blackjack may be the headliner, their roulette recommendations are top-notch because they attract players who actually think about things like the odds, strategy, and low house edges-people who aren’t solely there for flashing slot machines.
- Pros/Cons: Excellent resources for serious gamblers, but less focused on the “casual” or “arcade” gamer.
4. PokerStars
- Best For: Quality software and multiplayer feature.
- The Experience: Although a poker giant first, PokerStars now operates one of the best online casinos out there. Online roulette tables are state-of-the-art, with multiplayer modes allowing you to chat with other players while the wheel spins.
- Pros/Cons: Highly trusted, huge liquidity, and very refined apps. One major drawback, though, is their strict verification process, as they are highly regulated.