Live Casino Roulette 101: Comprehensive Guide

Roulette is considered to be one of the most beloved casino games worldwide. With roots in 18th-century France, it travelled across the globe, adapting to different cultures and evolving into numerous variations. However, its core has stayed the same, establishing it as a timeless classic that continues to captivate players today.

Its fast-paced gameplay, simple rules, and fantastic prize potential make it hard to resist. In order to understand what we mean, read the following live casino roulette guide. We’ll discuss its rules, gameplay, betting options, variants, and strategy.

What Are the Rules of Roulette?

Roulette is known for its straightforward rules, so anyone can learn how to play it easily, regardless of their experience. The game uses four props — a spinning wheel, a marble ball, a betting table, and chips. 

The number of players allowed varies depending on the game. In traditional, land-based casinos, live roulette can have up to seven players, depending on the dealer's ability to handle the gameplay. Nevertheless, popular online roulette versions are much more accommodating. Advanced software that modern developers use to operate these games allows numerous players to enjoy the game simultaneously without any glitches or lags.

Roulette action starts with the betting round. Players wager on a single number or number combinations, trying to guess where the ball will land. Pockets on the wheel run from 0 to 37 or 38, depending on the variant — therefore, you’ll have plenty of choices. Typically, you can place up to 15 bets per round. To reveal the winner, the dealer spins the wheel and throws in the marble ball. The round ends once the ball falls into one of the numbered pockets.

How Does Live Casino Roulette Work?

Popular online roulette variants feature gameplay similar to what you'd find at brick-and-mortar casinos. If you have experience with one, adjusting to the other is easy — even if you’re a newbie, it won’t be too challenging.

To play the game, you must join an online casino. Live games are always played with real money, so they’re not available in free-play mode. After registering, find the variant you like and open the game. Live dealer games at online casinos stream in real time, so you might have to wait for the new round to join the action. During this period, you’ll have a chance to observe the betting board and gameplay. 

The stream will show a dealer at a land-based studio in front of a roulette wheel. The bottom of the screen will display a graphical representation of the betting table, showing all available bet types. The same section should also include images of different-coloured chips that can be used to place bets. 

On top of this, some releases also feature written instructions and statistics to help you get started. Regardless of the layout, the interfaces are generally user-friendly, so you shouldn't have any trouble navigating them.

The dealer will announce the beginning of each new round, and you’ll also see the timer go off on the screen. You can then tap or click on the chips and choose the spot that represents your selected bets on the betting board. The dealer will spin the wheel clockwise or counter-clockwise and throw the marble ball in the opposite direction. After the ball falls into one of the numbered fields, the dealer will place a dolly on the winning number’s field on the betting table.

Because of the concept of the game and the number of available bets, each round can have multiple winners. Online live casino roulette games pay out winnings at the end of each round, so no waiting is required.

Live Casino Roulette Betting Options

Roulette bets can be divided into three big groups — inside, outside, and called bets. The following sections will outline what each category includes.

Inside Bets

Inside roulette bets are placed on specific numbers within the game’s layout. Their name derives from where they’re located on the betting table — the inner circle. The lineup includes:

• Straight bet — This bet type refers to any individual number on the wheel, regardless of the colour. You make it by placing your chips directly on the number you want to wager on.
• Split bet — This option covers two adjacent numbers on the wheel. To make it, you place your chips on the line between the two digits on the betting table.
• Street bet — Also known as Line bet, this type of wager comprises a row of three numbers. You can place it by putting the chips on the outside border of the three numbers.
• Corner bet — As its name suggests, this option refers to four numbers that form a square at one of the corners of the betting board. To place it, you put the chips at the intersection of these four fields.
• Five-number bet — This bet type covers numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 in American roulette. You can make it by placing the chips at the edge of the row featuring 0 and 1.

Outside Bets

Outside roulette bets cover larger groups of numbers. Located on the outer edge of the betting grid, they are as follows:

• Red/Black — Wager on the winning number being red or black.
• Odd/Even — Wager on the winning number being odd or even.
• High/Low — Wager on the winning number being high (19–36) or low (1–18).
• Dozens — Wager on the winning number being among the first dozen (1–12), second dozen (13–24), or third dozen (25–36).
• Column — Wager on the winning number being in the first, second, or third column in the betting layout.

Live casino roulette’s betting boards feature separate fields for all the outside bets, so you don’t have to worry about where to click when placing your bet.

Called Bets

Called roulette bets are available in the European and French roulette variations. The name comes from the way players place them in land-based casinos — by calling them out to the dealer. They cover specific groups of numbers, such as:

• Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of Zero) — This bet type refers to a series of numbers close to the Zero pocket on the wheel. You can place it on groups of 2, 3 or all 17 digits, and you need to bet at least nine chips on each.
• Tiers du Cylindre (Thirds of the Wheel) — This option includes twelve numbers that appear in a row opposite the Zero pocket on the wheel. It involves slots from 27 to 33 and requires you to wager at least six chips.
• Orphelins (Orphans) — This one features all the numbers not covered by the previous two bet types. Each of the two sectors involves eight numbers scattered around the wheel and calls for bets worth at least five chips.
• Jeu Zéro (Zero Game) — This called bet covers seven numbers closest to the Zero pocket on the wheel, including the zero. To place it, you must bet at least four chips.

Available bet types and their payouts vary between popular online roulette games. If you’re after the big bucks, single numbers have the best payout — 35:1. However, if odds are more important to you, outside bets are a better choice. Their odds vary from 32% to 48%, which is pretty good for a live table game.

Popular Online Roulette Variants

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s discuss popular online roulette types. Besides the standard European, French, and American roulette, the best casinos stock many other modern variations, too. The list below includes all the player favourites and their characteristics. 

• Lightning Roulette — This Evolution variant features traditional roulette gameplay but offers additional bet types and bigger prizes. The betting grid includes Lucky Payouts and Lucky Numbers betting options, with payouts up to 500:1. On top of that, the game assigns multipliers worth from 50x to 500x to random numbers before each wheel spin, further increasing the winning potential. 
• Live Speed Roulette — Pragmatic Play’s Speed Roulette is a sped-up version of European roulette. The game uses the regular 37-number wheel but features accelerated betting rounds. The fast-paced gameplay caters to adventurers and players short on time yet eager to play. 
• Instant Roulette — This is another speedy version of roulette, though different in structure. The game uses twelve computer-controlled wheels which spin intermittently, serving one player at a time. This system allows players to control the speed of the game and make the most of included betting statistics. 
• 24/7 Roulette — Fans of land-based casino-style roulette will love this Authentic Gaming version. The studio that hosts the game has a traditional feel, the stream includes a TV screen showing a close-up of the wheel, and rounds last around 55 seconds. The best part is that gameplay is available 24/7, so you can join whenever it’s convenient for you.
• Auto Roulette VIP — This release also runs around the clock but features bet ranges and prizes curated for high rollers. Players can wager up to £5,000 and score over £20,000 if they’re lucky. 

Online Live Roulette Tips and Tricks

Roulette is a game of chance, so there’s no strategy you can follow to win. However, a few tips and tricks can help you make the most of each gaming session. 

1. Choose the right title — As you can see above, developers don’t skimp on live roulette variants. Therefore, don’t settle for the first title you come across. Explore your options, join a few streams to observe the action, and pick the game that suits your preferences best.
2. Learn the rules — While most live roulette releases feature similar rules, their gameplays won’t be identical. You must learn how the game works to make informed decisions, minimise mistakes, and enjoy the experience.
3. Set a budget — Live roulette is accessible and fun, so it’s easy to get carried away. To avoid spending more than you can afford, start each gaming session by setting a budget. Stick to this amount regardless of whether you’re winning or losing.
4. Pick a good betting system — Relying on tactics when placing roulette bets is a great way to increase your chances of winning. Surf the internet and learn how positive and negative progressive systems like Martingale, Labouchère, and D'Alembert work. Choose the ones that best suit your budget and test them to find your perfect match.
5. Check out the odds — The internet is packed with information about roulette betting options’ winning odds. They help you make the most profitable decisions, so don’t start the game without learning about them. 

Final Thoughts

Live casino roulette is one of the most popular table games today. Numerous reputable gaming sites carry it, making it easy to access regardless of your location. 

If you’d like to try your luck at it, you can find everything you need in this article. Read about the rules and game mechanics, learn about the betting options, choose your favourite variant, and follow our tips and tricks. You’re bound to have a blast!

FAQ

Why should I play live casino roulette?

Live online casino roulette is a straightforward yet entertaining table game. You can learn the rules in a snap, enjoy an immersive real-time gaming experience, benefit from solid winning odds, and win hefty prizes. 

What’s the best live roulette version I can play online?

Due to their low house edges, the most popular online roulette games are French and European variations. However, your taste and preferences will determine which live roulette variant is best for you. Learning more about specific titles and joining a few streams to observe gameplay should help you decide.

How can I win a live roulette game?

Roulette is a game of luck, so no strategy can guarantee a win. Still, you can improve your winning odds by following a few simple tips regarding your game choice, rules, budget, betting system, and odds. You can find the details above.