Looking to learn how to play roulette online but don’t know where to start? We here at Hard Rock Bet Casino are here to help you hit the table with confidence before you spin the wheel for your first real-money roulette bet. Whether you are playing at a retail casino or on the Hard Rock bet app, this guide will give you the confidence to start getting in on all the fun. We will break down the rules, payouts, bet types and more to help you step up to the wheel ready to rock your first spin.
The Roulette Wheel
A roulette wheel is one of the most unmistakable icons of a casino. The spinning wheel mixed with the clanging of the ivory ball as it bounces off the numbered pockets and deflectors that are there to assist in helping make the result truly random.
The roulette wheel contains 37 or 38 numbered pockets depending on the version you play. Numbers 1 through 36 alternate between red and black colors (starting with red), while zero pockets are always green.
While the order of the numbers on the roulette wheel may seem like a random mashup of numbers, there is a science to the layout. The numbers on a roulette wheel aren’t random, they’re arranged to spread out highs and lows, odds and evens, and red and black evenly around the wheel. This design keeps the game balanced and unpredictable, so no section of the wheel has an advantage.
The Roulette Table
No matter if you are playing at a live in person casino or playing online, the roulette table is going to be arranged the same. Every table will have its own distinct design and flair, but the numbers, colors and betting options will always be the same and match the color/number combos that are on the wheel.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Numbers 1–36 | Arranged left to right in ascending order, in three vertical columns on the main betting area. |
| Red Numbers | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36 |
| Black Numbers | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35 |
| 0 and 00 | Colored green; appear at the head of the table outside the 1–36 main layout. |
| 2:1 Column Spaces | Located at the foot of the table; each corresponds to one of the three vertical number columns. |
| Dozens Spaces | Three spaces on the left edge of the table: 1st 12, 2nd 12, and 3rd 12 numbers (in 3x4 blocks). |
| 1–18 and 19–36 | Found at opposite corners on the far left edge; cover the first or last 18 numbers. |
| Even / Odd Spaces | Located inside the 1–18 and 19–36 spaces; bets on all even or all odd numbers. |
| Red / Black Spaces | Displayed as red and black diamonds on the innermost left edge; symbolize a bet on red or black. |
Roulette Bets and Payouts
Roulette bets are broken into two different categories, inside bets and outside bets. They are exactly what they sound like in the fact that inside bets are placed inside the numbered part of the board and outside bets are placed outside the actual numbers on the board.
Inside Bets (Main Number Grid)
| Bet Type | How It’s Placed | Numbers Covered | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Chip directly on a single number | 1 number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | Chip on the line between two adjacent numbers | 2 numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street (Three-Number) | Chip on the outside border of a row | 3 numbers horizontally | 11 to 1 |
| Corner (Square) | Chip where four numbers meet | 4 numbers in a block | 8 to 1 |
| Five-Number (Basket) | Chip on the line between 0, 00 and 1, 2, 3 (only in American roulette) | 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 | 6 to 1 |
| Six-Line | Chip on the outside border where two rows meet | 6 numbers in two adjacent horizontal rows | 5 to 1 |
Outside Bets (Outer Sections of the Table)
| Bet Type | How It’s Placed | Numbers Covered | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Column | Chip on one of the “2:1” spaces at the bottom of the table | 12 numbers in a vertical column | 2 to 1 |
| Dozens | Chip on “1st 12,” “2nd 12,” or “3rd 12” | 12 numbers in a set (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) | 2 to 1 |
| Odd/Even | Chip on “Odd” or “Even” space | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| High/Low | Chip on “1–18” or “19–36” | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Red/Black | Chip on red or black diamond | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
How to Place a Bet on Roulette
- Pick your bet size: Choose a bet size for your bet
- Place your bets: Now that you are an expert on bets, choose the bet you want and put your chips on the corresponding spot on the table
- Click Spin: If you are playing online, click the spin button. If you are playing in person or live dealer, the dealer will spin the wheel and release the ball
- Collect your winnings: This is the fun part. The ball will bounce around and eventually land in a number pocket. If you win, collect your winnings once the dealer places the marker on the winning spot on the board.
Roulette Variations
European Roulette
European roulette uses a wheel with 37 pockets, including numbers 1-36 and a single zero. European Roulette is rare to find in a retail casino, but is the best option for players who want the lowest house advantage and is fairly common online.
American Roulette
American roulette adds a second green pocket marked “00” to the wheel, creating 38 total pockets. This is the wheel that you will most commonly find in a retail casino.
The double zero means you have slightly worse odds of winning any individual bet compared to European roulette. However, the payouts remain the same, which is why we suggest playing European Roulette if it is available.
French Roulette
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European roulette but includes special rules that benefit players. The most common rule is “La Partage,” which returns half your stake when you make even-money bets and the ball lands on zero. French Roulette is a fun option that if available is another better option than American Roulette.
Live Dealer Roulette
Live Dealer Roulette is an online roulette game streamed in real time from a real casino table with a professional dealer. Players place bets digitally while watching the wheel spin live, creating an authentic and social casino experience from home. This is the perfect combination of in person casino action with the convenience of online. Hard Rock Bet offers both European and American roulette.
Bankroll Rules That Rock
Set a specific amount of money aside for roulette that you can afford to lose completely, which is a fundamental principle of responsible gaming. This should be money you’d spend on any other form of entertainment, not money you need for bills or expenses.
Keep your individual bets small relative to your total bankroll. A good rule is making each bet no more than 1-5% of your session budget. This approach helps you play longer and ride out both winning and losing streaks. Never chase losses by increasing your bet sizes dramatically. This is the fastest way to burn through your entire bankroll in just a few unlucky spins.
FAQ about Roulette Online
Below we’ve put together a few questions and answers about how to play roulette online.
Does European roulette give players better odds than American roulette?
Yes, European roulette has a 2.7% house edge compared to American roulette’s 5.26% house edge because it has only one zero pocket instead of two.
What states allow real money online roulette?
Real money online casinos are legal and live in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. For now, Hard Rock Bet’s online casino with real money roulette is currently only available to players physically located in New Jersey.
Do online casinos offer free roulette games for practice?
Yes, most online casinos including Hard Rock Bet offer demo versions of their roulette games where you can practice without risking real money. To play a demo version, click on the i button of the game you are trying to play and click “PLAY DEMO” on Hard Rock Bet online casino.
What are the minimum and maximum bets for online roulette?
Online roulette accommodates all budgets with minimum bets often starting at $0.10-$1 and maximum limits reaching thousands of dollars per spin at high-limit tables. Online roulette will give you more betting options and ranges for when you are starting out than in a retail casino where many will have a $25 minimum.
Do live dealer roulette games use computer software to determine results?
No, live dealer roulette uses real physical wheels and balls operated by human dealers, as opposed to video roulette which is determined by an RNG.
Is online roulette rigged?
No, online roulette uses an RNG that has been tested by the regulatory body of the state. In New Jersey, that regulatory body is the NJDGE.
What’s the difference between European, American, and French roulette?
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European Roulette has one zero and offers the best odds.
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American Roulette has a single zero and a double zero, which increases the house edge slightly.
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French Roulette also uses a single zero but has special rules like La Partage and En Prison that can help increase winning sessions.
What are the best roulette bets for beginners?
Outside bets like red/black, odd/even, or 1–18/19–36 are the easiest for new players, since they cover many numbers and give you nearly 50/50 odds.
Can I use a strategy to win at roulette?
Strategies like Martingale, Fibonacci, or flat betting can help structure your play, but roulette is always a game of chance. No system guarantees wins, so it’s best to use them for fun while managing your bankroll.
Can I play roulette on my phone?
Yes, you can play roulette on your phone or tablet on the Hard Rock Bet Casino App anytime, anywhere when you are physically in New Jersey.
