How to play online roulette
Roulette is a fun, fast-paced casino game that is based on chance. Learn how to play roulette today for a chance to win real money at online casinos in South Africa.
How does online roulette work?
Learning how to play online roulette is easy, and once mastered, it can give you the same exciting feeling you’d get from playing at a brick-and-mortar casino.
Unlike land-based or live roulette games, which human croupiers host, online casinos use random number generator (RNG) software to produce unpredictable and fair results. You play against the computer and can track your bet types and the amount wagered in the display.
The virtual roulette table comprises two sections – the wheel and the table. The roulette wheel contains 37 or 38 segments (depending on the game type), divided between red, black, and green. The roulette table correlates with the wheel and is where you can place inside and outside bets, as we explain later.
How to play roulette online for real money
Roulette is easy to learn, making it a popular choice for beginners and seasoned gamblers. You can follow these simple steps to play online roulette for real money in South Africa:
- 1
Visit one of our recommended licensed, regulated and reputable online casinos.
- 2
Create an account by submitting your details. You may need to provide a photocopy of a government-issued ID and documentation showing proof of address.
- 3
Make a real money deposit to fund your bets.
- 4
Decide which roulette variation to play, choosing from European, American, French, and others.
- 5
Place an inside or outside bet and see if your prediction was correct once the wheel stops spinning.
Roulette table explained
The roulette table is where you place your bets. In the main section, you’ll see all 36 numbers from one to 36, 18 red and 18 black. You’ll also see the single green zero in European roulette, while American roulette has an additional double zero segment.
Below the numbers are the 1st 12, 2nd 12, and 3rd 12 sections, which are the column bets. The table also provides options to bet on numbers 1-18 or 19-36, odd or even and red or black. Simply decide which wagers to place and add your chips to the relevant sections of the roulette table to place your bet.
Roulette wheel explained
A standard roulette wheel has 37 pockets – 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and one green. An American roulette wheel has the additional double zero green pocket to make 38 segments.
The segments alternate between red/black and are not in chronological order. This is to create a game that is as close to the balance as possible. The number order also varies from European to American roulette, which is worth considering if you’re looking for patterns.
After the betting window closes, the ball is dropped into the spinning wheel and settles into one of the numbered pockets. If it lands on a segment you’ve bet on, you win a payout.
Popular online roulette variants
You can play multiple roulette variations at online casinos in South Africa, including the following popular games:
European roulette
European roulette is the most common type of roulette found at online casinos, with 37 pockets and just one zero. The house edge in European roulette is just 2.70%, making it an excellent choice for budget bettors.
American roulette
The main difference between European and American roulette is that the latter has an additional green pocket containing a double zero. As a result, the game's house edge increases to 5.26%.
French roulette
In French roulette, you can enjoy the classic variation with additional rules like 'En Prison' and 'La Partage'. La Partage translates to 'the divide', and when in effect, the dealer will split all even money bets in half when the ball lands on zero, returning 50% to the player and keeping 50% for the house.
The En Prison rule also applies to even money bets but is more advantageous for the player than the La Partage, acting as an 'extra life'. Instead of dividing the bet, it is held 'in prison' when the ball lands on zero. The outcome of your bet is determined after the wheel is spun again. If you win the next bet, your stake is returned to you; however, a spin that does not land in your favour will see you lose your stake.
Mini roulette
Mini roulette is a relatively recent addition to online casinos, playing out on a much smaller wheel with just 13 pockets: six red, six black, and a single zero. While the house edge is significantly higher than other variants (7.89%), mini roulette offers fast-paced gameplay, making it an exciting variation.
Lightning Roulette
Lightning Roulette, developed by Evolution Gaming, is a popular live casino version of roulette offering multiplier numbers to boost payouts. After closing the bets and before spinning the wheel, RNG software randomly selects five numbers to serve as ‘Lucky Numbers’. If you bet on one of these and it lands, you receive a payout boosted by the respective multiplier. The RTP of Lightning Roulette is 97.30%.
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Roulette betting types
There are two main types of bets that you can place in roulette – inside and outside bets. The tables below introduce each bet type and explain what they are and how much they pay:
Inside bets
| Bet | Explained | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | A bet on a specific number | 35:1 |
| Split | A bet on two numbers that are next to each other | 17:1 |
| Street | A bet on three numbers at the end of a row | 11:1 |
| Corner | A bet on four adjacent numbers | 8:1 |
| Six Line | A bet on six adjacent numbers (sometimes known as a double street bet) | 11:1 |
Outside bets
| Bet | Explained | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red/black | A bet on the number being red or black | 1:1 |
| Odd/even | A bet on the number being odd or even | 1:1 |
| High/low | A bet on the number being high (19-36) or low (1-18) | 1:1 |
| Dozen | A bet on 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36) | 2:1 |
| Column | A bet on a column of numbers | 2:1 |
Beginners tips on how to play roulette
If you’re new to this popular casino game, here are some tips to bear in mind while learning how to play online roulette for the first time:
- 1
Play roulette for free before playing for real money at an online casino to practise and familiarise yourself with gameplay.
- 2
Try out a roulette strategy or betting system to employ a methodical approach to the game.
- 3
Always check the RTP of the roulette game you play – remember, the higher the RTP, the lower the house edge.
- 4
Diversify your bets and be willing to mix things up if your initial strategy isn’t working.
- 5
Always set your limits, bet within your means, and gamble responsibly.
Playing roulette online vs. land-based casinos
Though heading out to a land-based casino to play roulette can be fun, online roulette is much more accessible to all players in South Africa. The table below runs through the pros and cons of playing roulette online compared to playing at a land-based casino:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Play online at any time of the day or night | ❌ Less social atmosphere than playing at a land-based casino |
✅ Use online casino bonuses to boost your bankroll | ❌ Easy to lose track of time when playing online |
✅ Enjoy roulette games on your mobile when you’re on the move | ❌ Need to register a casino account and deposit real cash to play |
✅ You don’t need to leave your house to play online roulette from multiple software providers | |
✅ Experience live dealer roulette to mimic the atmosphere of playing at a land-based casino |
Playing online roulette on mobile
You can enjoy roulette directly from your mobile device, no matter where you are in South Africa. This is because roulette games have been created with HTML5 technology and are perfectly optimised for play on various screen sizes.
Therefore, when you sign up for a mobile casino in South Africa, you can play roulette and other table games on your smartphone or tablet, no matter where you are.
Play responsibly
For your safety, you should always check that your chosen online casino is licensed by a regulatory body like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) before playing. You should also check that the site employs SSL encryption and that a body like eCOGRA independently tests its games.
If the casino is licensed and secure, it’s safe to play; just ensure you gamble responsibly by setting limits and betting within your means. Don’t chase losses while playing roulette; be sure only to bet what you can afford to lose.
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How to play FAQs
Roulette is a game of chance, and you can win or lose each time the croupier spins the wheel. You can employ a roulette strategy to boost your winning chances, but no method is flawless.
Yes, you can win real money by playing roulette online. Create an online casino account, make a deposit, and place a real money bet for your chance to win a payout.
To place a roulette bet, place your chips on the segments of the roulette table that correspond to the wheel segment you would like to bet on.
The odds of winning at roulette depend on the game that you’re playing and the bets you place. For instance, the best odds in European roulette are on red/black, odd/even, or high/low, at 48.65%.
Yes, you could employ several online roulette strategies, including Fibonacci, Martingale, D’Alembert, and Andrucci. Be sure to research these strategies thoroughly before utilising them.
No, there is no trick to roulette. It is a game of chance that you can win or lose each time you play, though employing a strategy can improve your winning chances.
As a beginner, it makes sense to employ a roulette strategy to help while you become familiar with the game. But remember that no strategy is foolproof, and you can still win or lose each time you play.
