Guide
Online roulette: how to play, understand the bets and assess the risks
Mateus Ferraz
Games and mechanics editor · 9/7/2026
In online roulette, you bet on the number or outcome category where the ball will land. It is a game of chance: the outcome is random. To follow a round, you need to understand the table, choose your bet and stake, watch for betting to close, and check the result and the payout specified in the rules.
Identify the variant and format
Before you start, identify the variant. European roulette has a zero; the American roulette described in this guide has a zero and a double zero. Check the table layout and rules. Also distinguish between formats: in virtual roulette with RNG, a random number generator determines the outcome; in live roulette, a dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball in a real-time broadcast.
Read the table rules
Check the variant, betting limits, payout table and how zero is treated. When a demo is available, use it to learn the controls without staking real funds.
Decide how much you can spend
Set spending and time limits before playing. If you decide to use money, the process includes creating an account, verifying your identity according to the platform's procedures and depositing the amount set aside for this purpose.
Choose your chip and bet
Select the chip value and tap the area corresponding to your chosen number or group. On mobile, check the selection displayed to avoid confusing nearby areas of the table.
Review the total stake for the round
You can combine inside and outside bets. Add up the values of all your chips: the total amount staked may be higher than the value of each chip. Check everything before betting closes.
Watch for betting to close and check the result
Watch the timer or the betting closure notice. In a live broadcast, the dealer announces when betting opens and closes. Then check the number where the ball landed.
Check the balance update
The system identifies winning bets and credits payouts automatically. Compare the result with your selections and the table's payout chart. If there is a discrepancy, check the round history and contact support before continuing.
- Inside bets are placed in the numbered area. A straight-up bet selects a specific number, including zero; split, street, corner and six-line bets cover groups defined by the table layout.
- Outside bets include red or black, even or odd, low or high, dozens and columns. Each selection covers the group indicated in the interface.
- Combining bets increases the total amount staked when you add chips. This combination does not change the probability of the ball landing on each number.
Payout and probability
Payout and probability are different things. The payout indicates how much a winning bet receives under the rules; probability expresses its chance of winning. For the traditional bets described, bets covering fewer numbers tend to have higher payouts. To interpret a ratio, check whether it represents the additional amount received or the total including the returned stake. Use the table's official payout chart to verify coverage and payouts.
Chance of winning and RTP
The chance of winning depends on the number of outcomes covered and the variant. Covering more numbers may increase the chance of winning that bet, but it does not make any individual number more likely. RTP is the theoretical return to the player calculated over a large volume of bets under the rules considered. It does not predict how much you will receive in a session. The house edge represents the mathematical advantage in the house's favor under those rules.
The five-number bet
In American roulette, the special five-number bet, which combines zero, double zero and the first numbers, has a different house edge from the other traditional bets described. Therefore, a general figure for the variant should not be applied to it. To compare probability, RTP or house edge percentages, check the provider's or regulator's official documentation, the variant, the applicable rules and the verification date.
Past results do not predict the next round