UK Online Roulette Guide: How To Play Roulette
RouletteUK.co.uk’s roulette guide lists the types of roulette games and the odds they give you when playing them. We explain their house edges and which betting strategies are the best for playing roulette.
In addition to the above, we offer tips and various bets to help you win more.
Roulette Overview
Roulette means “Little Wheel” in French and originated in France during the 18th century. The roulette wheel has various numbers on it which you can bet on.
When the ball lands on the number you predicted you win. Now, the main variations of the game are American, European, and French Roulette.
How to Play Roulette Online
There are two types of roulette namely live dealer and classic roulette.The former roulette simulates a real casino environment where British players play against real dealers.
This section tells you how to set up an account at an online casino and how to play roulette.
- Visit the online casinos at RouletteUK.co.uk and register an account.
- Once you deposit money, the casino offers you a non-compulsory bonus.
- Go to the casino's lobby, and choose the roulette game you want to play.
- Place your bets on odds/even, red/black, or more, and click the spin button.
- If you win, you can Rebet or place a new bet.
Guide to Play Roulette at UK Online Casinos
Online gambling is a risk especially when you play roulette to win money because it’s a game of chance.
To that end, we selected online casinos with licenses from the UKGC.
Their games are fair, they offer bonuses with straightforward terms and offer daily promotions.
But, above all, they pay roulette winnings fast through PayPal, Paysafecard, and Neteller on the same day.
Moreover, real money roulette players earn points or comps. Once you notched up enough comps, you can exchange the points you’ve earned for real cash.
Nothing beats the excitement of playing roulette to win money. Yet, it’s advantageous to play roulette for free before you deposit.
As it helps to try out a new betting strategy, you experience the game’s odds and payouts.
Know the House Edge of Roulette Games
What is the house edge? It’s the mathematical advantage the casino game has over you when you play it to win money.
The presence of the zero pockets determines the house edge of roulette. European roulette has the best house edge of 2.7% because of its single zero pocket.
American roulette has a house edge of 5.26% because it has a double zero. Finally, the house edge of French roulette is 1.35% since it has rules such as “La Partage”, and “En Prison”.
The house edge works against you the longer you play. In case you play European roulette for 200 spins at an average bet of £2 per spin. The game claims around £5.40 if you bet £200.
| Roulette Variant | House Edge | Expected Loss Over 100 Spins (assuming £1 per spin) |
|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | 2.70% | $2.70 |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | $5.26 |
| French Roulette | 1.35% (with La Partage/En Prison rules) | $1.35 |
| British Roulette | 2.70% | $2.70 |
| Mini-Roulette | 3.85% | $3.85 |
| Lightning Roulette | 2.70% (standard bets), varies with special bets | $2.70 (standard bets) |
Guide Roulette Variants
European Roulette
The European roulette wheel has a single zero with 36 numbers and has the best odds. The house edge of 2.70% is lower than American roulette’s.
American Roulette
The wheel of American roulette has 38 pockets with two zeros a single (0) and a double (00).
The double zeros increase the house edge to 5.26% making it riskier than the European version.
If you play American roulette at online casinos check if they offer you “Surrender”.
French Roulette
Like European roulette, French roulette has a single zero on its wheel.
It stands out with additional rules that lower the house edge to 1.35% on even money bets.
The ‘La Partage’ rule returns half your bet for even money. The ‘En Prison’ rule offers a second chance to win back your bet on the next spin.
Lightning Roulette
Lightning Roulette is a live casino game that combines traditional European roulette with randomly generated lucky numbers and multipliers.
It enhances payouts from 50x to 500x on straight-up bets if lightning strikes the number.
Multi-Wheel Roulette
With Multi-Wheel Roulette you can bet on 6 to 8 roulette wheels on one spin.
The problem however is you need a large bankroll since each wheel requires a separate wager.
If you enjoy playing high-stakes roulette, this is the game for you.
Mini Roulette
Mini-roulette only has 13 pockets on the roulette wheel with numbers from 1 to 12 and a single zero.
Even though it has fewer numbers on the wheel the single zero bumps up the house edge.
Live Dealer Roulette
British players can play live dealer roulette against real croupiers.
Live online casinos stream the game to your mobile phone in real-time. More importantly, the rules of the game stay the same.
Double Ball Roulette
Double Ball Roulette plays with two balls on the roulette wheel.
The payouts are bigger, and you can bet both balls will land on the same number.
Top Roulette Betting System
Betting systems like the Martingale can help you to win money when playing roulette.
Martingale System
- Start with a Base Bet: Begin with a small, fixed bet on an even-money bet (e.g., Red/Black, Odd/Even).
- Double After Loss: If you lose, double your bet on the next spin.
- Reset After Win: If you win, return to your base bet.
Pros
- Simple to Understand: The Martingale system is easy to use.
- Small Wins Add Up: If you win, you recover previous losses. Plus, you'll make a profit equal to your base bet.
Cons
- Risk of Large Losses: After a series of losses, the bet size can exceed the table limits or your bankroll.
- No Guaranteed Win: Despite the strategy, the house edge stays the same; you'll still lose in the long run.
Example Odds
Short Term: Over short sessions, the system can work effectively. For example, if you face a losing streak of three spins on a
European Roulette Wheel:
- The probability of losing three spins in a row: (0.4865)3 ≈11.52.
- You have an 88.48% chance of not encountering a three-spin losing streak.
Over the long run, the risk increases due to the house edge of 2.70% for European Roulette. The probability of encountering longer losing streaks becomes significant.
Roulette Guide Payouts and Odds Guide
The types of bets you place determine how much you’ll win when you play roulette.
Some bets offer high odds of winning and others lower odds.
The Straight-Up Bet is the riskiest wager according to this online roulette guide. Your odds of winning it in European roulette is 1 in 37. For American roulette, it’s 1 in 38.
If you bet on Red/Black your odds are 18 in 37, that’s nearly a 50 percent winning chance. That’s why we call it even money bets.
The more money you can win betting, the lower the odds they offer you. So, what are your odds if you bet on the Split Bet?
The Split Bet offers you a payout of 17:1 for European Roulette. Choose the right bets according to your playing style and budget.
Tips to Win Money Roulette
We offer tips to play roulette at online casinos that accept players from the UK.
- Pick the right roulette variant: European roulette has a single zero on the wheel gives you better odds than American roulette.
- Test the game in demo mode: Play for free before you risk your money.
- Know the odds of each bet: If you play for high stakes the Straight Up bet is good. While red/black, or odd/even offer low payouts.
- Gamble responsibly: Use the in-game session and deposit limits, and self-exclude if you tend to overplay your budget.
- Combine your bets: If you play for high stakes combine your bets. Doing that way increases your chances to win money.
- Try a betting strategy: A betting strategy like the Martingale or Labouchere can help you to win more.
- Exploit bonuses and promotions: They're extra cash that can swing the odds in your favour if you use them wisely. Understand terms such as the wagering requirements and game contribution.
Best Roulette Bets to Win Money
The table highlights risky bets in roulette with their payout ratios and the odds of winning.
| Bet Type | Payout Ratio | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split Bet | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street Bet | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner Bet | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Five-Number Bet (American Roulette) | 6:1 | 13.16% |
| Six Line Bet | 5:1 | 16.22% |
Conclusion
Our roulette guide detailed the roulette variations, best odds, tips, betting strategy, and bet types.
Roulette is a game of chance since it doesn’t guarantee any payouts. Play roulette for free before you play for real.
You can also test a betting strategy like the Martingale or Reverse Martingale.
FAQs About Roulette Guide
Is it legal to play roulette at online casinos in the United Kingdom?
Yes, as long as the casino operates with a license from the British Gambling Commission.
Which roulette variant offers me the best odds?
Generally speaking European roulette with its single zero gives you the best odds. French roulette with its additional rules lowers the house edge to 1.35%.
The Surrender rule in American roulette allows you to lose half your bet on an even money bet. It’s similar to the “La Partage” rule, on condition the winning number is a single or double zero. Furthermore, the rule reduces the house edge from 5.26% to 2.63%.