A Guide to Online Roulette

According to gambling history, roulette is one of the oldest casino games still being played throughout the world. As a casino game, it's not particularly complicated or lucrative. However, it is a game that has fascinated and entertained adults all over the world for hundreds of years.

As you start your journey as an online casino gambler, a case could be made for roulette being the first game you choose to play. It's a good place to try until you have had time to familiarize yourself with the nuances of online casino gambling.

Not wanting you to start your online roulette journey in the dark, we would like to provide you with this comprehensive guide to playing online roulette. Give it a read before you get your gambling ball rolling.

The History of Roulette

Some historians believe that Blaise Pascal deserves some credit for the advent of roulette, something he stumbled upon while studying perpetual motion in the 17th century. As a game of chance, the first verifiable version of roulette was introduced in the 18th century, somewhere in France.

Through the last 2+ centuries, the game has gone through several revisions as the rules have evolved. That has brought us to a point where there are three viable versions of the game: European, French, and American. We'll introduce the nuances of each version in one of the sections below.

Getting Started

As you begin your quest to become an online roulette player, you might want to start by reading up on the rules of the game. It would be prudent to then find a free video game version on which you can learn about the playing and betting processes.

When you feel you have some useful knowledge about roulette, that would be the time to start your search for the right online casino. Very quickly, you'll learn your choices are in the hundreds. With that in mind, we offer the following as criteria you should use in the online casino selection process:

• The casino's reputation as established by good watchdog sites like Casinomeister


• Find a casino that will accept players from your region - In America, licensed casinos are available in seven states


• Make sure the casino has several roulette versions from which to choose


• Compare welcome bonus packages to see who is offering the most extra value for your patronage


• Make sure your preferred account funding option is available
  

How to Play Online Roulette

There is nothing particularly complicated about online roulette. It's a table game that has dozens of betting spots on the board. It's your job to place the wagers where you want on that board. Of course, nothing is ever quite that vanilla. It's important that you understand the odds that are associated with each spot. It's also prudent to learn about a few betting strategies that might increase your chances of winning. For your benefit, here's a quick odds table related to the available wagering options:

• Single spot - 35 to 1


• two connected spots - 17 to 1


• Row of three connected spots - 11 to 1


• Four connect spots (corners) - 8 to 1


• Six connected numbers (two rows) - 6 to 1


• Full column - 2 to 1


• First 12 numbers, second 12 numbers, or third 12 numbers - 2 to 1


• Odd/Even, Red/Black, or 1-18/19-36 - 1 to 1

Note: The expected returns may vary slightly depending on the version you are playing. Place your wagers, sit back, relax, and let the wheel spin, hoping for the best.

As for betting strategies, there are no known strategies that will alter the house's advantage. At a minimum, the house has a 2.7% advantage on each spin. The house's maximum advantage is about 13%. Again, these percentages can vary based on the variation.

If you are game for a little research, there are some wagering strategies that might help you control your bankroll. We suggest that you take a look at the "Martingale system."

Setting Your Bankroll

You'll need to fund your online casino account before you place your first bet. It's up to you to decide how much you are willing to risk per online gambling session.

Your bankroll should never exceed what you can afford to lose. The funds you use should be the discretionary money that is left over after you have taken care of your financial responsibilities and put something into savings. Be responsible and don't let yourself fall victim to gambling addiction. Please remember, playing online roulette is a recreational activity that is intended to be fun and entertaining.

Selecting the Right Version

You understand the rules. You have selected your online casino home. You have funded your wagering account, not exceeding what you can afford to lose. Now, it's time to decide which roulette variation you want to play.

As we stated above, there are three primary variations: European, French, and American. Note: The French variation is the rarest of the three, so you might have to search harder for a site that carries it. Almost all online casinos will offer the European and American variations. Let us now differentiate these three versions. The only real difference lies in the number of "green zero" spots.

• European Roulette - single green zero


• American Roulette - a single and a double green zero


• French Roulette - a single, a double, and a triple green zero

As we indicated above, the odds will vary based on the variation one chooses. The green zeroes are what influence these odds. For players, European Roulette is best from a wagering perspective, with French Roulette being the worst.

Tips for Playing Online Roulette

We hope the above guide will help you become a decent online roulette player. We would like to close with this list of tips that might help you along the way.

• Make sure you know the rules and odds related to the version you are playing


• Gather experience by playing European Roulette - better odds for you


• Stick with the "outside" betting options until you get a better feel for the game


• Don't wager more than 3% of your bankroll on any spin of the wheel


• Only increase your bets after a series of wins - wager more with the house's money


• If the losses start to mount, call it a day and return to play again at a later date. Chasing losses is a recipe for disaster


• It's always prudent to "bank" or take profits when the opportunity arises. There is no shame in walking away as a winner


• Don't ever think there is a system that will help you beat the house. None exists on the planet


• This is the most important tip - have fun and don't let your online gambling get out of control. Help is available if a problem gambling issue rears its head. That information should be readily available on the home page of your chosen online casino

Good luck and have a lot of fun.