How to Play Roulette: The Ultimate Guide for Australian Players
Ready to play roulette but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.
Whether you're brand new to the roulette table or just need a refresher on the key roulette rules, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play with confidence.
From understanding the roulette wheel to choosing smart betting options, we’ll cover the basics, share tips to improve your chance of winning, and show you how to get the most out of your online games.
What is Roulette?
At its core, roulette is one of the easiest casino games you can play. You place your bets on the roulette table, the wheel spins, and if the ball lands on your winning number or group, you collect your payout. Simple.
The word "roulette" means "little wheel" in French, and that’s exactly what you'll see spinning in every game—whether you're playing online or live with a dealer.
In online roulette, you use digital roulette chips to cover the numbers, colours, or sections you think will hit. Play begins once your bets are locked in, and all that’s left is to watch the roulette wheel spin and hope luck’s on your side.
The Roulette Wheel and Table Layout
Every online roulette game starts with two things: a roulette wheel and a roulette table. Understanding how they work together is key to placing smarter bets.
The Roulette Wheel
There are two main types of roulette wheels you'll see online:
- European Roulette – 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 and a single zero).
- American Roulette – 38 pockets (adds a double zero).
That extra zero on American tables almost doubles the house edge, which is why we always recommend sticking to European roulette when it's an option. Fewer zeros = better odds for you.
Before you start playing online, always check which roulette wheel you're spinning. Most casinos clearly label the variant, but it's worth confirming to give yourself the best odds of winning.
The Roulette Table and Betting Layout
The roulette table is where you'll place your roulette chips, choosing from a variety of betting options laid out across the board.
The table is split into two areas:
- Inside bets cover specific numbers and combinations.
- Outside bets focus on larger groups, like red or black and odd or even.
Together, the betting layout mirrors the wheel, giving you every possible way to cover the numbers and sections you believe will hit.
Pro Tip:
Some online roulette games—especially French-style tables—offer special rules like La Partage or En Prison. These apply to even-money bets like red/black or odd or even and help you hold onto part of your bet if the ball lands on zero. These features can make a real difference, so it’s worth looking for them when browsing your table options.
Rules of Roulette: How the Game Works
Whether you're playing online or at a live casino, the basic rules stay the same across most roulette variants. Here’s how a typical round works:
- Play begins when you place your roulette chips on the table, selecting your betting options. You can bet on single numbers, groups, colours, or whether the outcome will be odd or even.
- Once all bets are in, the roulette wheel spins, and the ball is dropped.
- When the ball settles, the winning number is revealed.
- Payouts are made for winning bets, and losing bets are cleared from the table.
Online Tip:
In online roulette games, you'll often see clear minimum and maximum bets displayed before you start. These limits control the smallest and largest amounts you can wager in a single round, so make sure they match your bankroll before placing more bets.
How to Keep It Simple:
- Start with a few outside bets, like red/black or odd or even.
- Watch a few spins to get familiar with the pace and flow.
- Stay within your budget and resist raising your stake just to chase a loss.
Once you understand the roulette rules, the game becomes second nature. It’s fast, straightforward, and designed to be played at your own pace—especially online.
House Edge, Odds and RTP
The house edge is what gives the casino its long-term advantage. Compared to other casino games like blackjack or baccarat, roulette generally offers a higher house edge, especially in versions like American Roulette, where the double zero increases the odds against you. This means your chances of winning can be lower compared to games with a smaller house edge, like blackjack.
Here's how it compares:
| Variant | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | 94.74% |
If you're serious about improving your chance of winning, stick to European tables whenever possible and make sure you know your roulette odds like the back of your hand.
Types of Bets in Roulette
When you sit down at a roulette table, you'll see dozens of betting options with different roulette odds across the board. The table’s betting layout gives you full control over how risky—or safe—you want to play.
All bets fall into two categories: inside bets and outside bets. Knowing the difference helps you pick the best type of bet for your style of play.
Inside Bets (Higher Risk, Bigger Payouts)
Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. These come with lower odds of hitting but higher payouts when your winning number lands.
| Bet Type | What You Bet On | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | A single number | 35:1 |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 |
| Corner | Four numbers meeting at a corner | 8:1 |
| Six Line | Two adjacent rows (six numbers) | 5:1 |
These bets are perfect if you’re chasing big wins and don't mind more frequent losing bets.
👉 Want to see the exact odds for each of these bets? Check out our full Roulette Odds guide.
Outside Bets (Lower Risk, Steady Payouts)
Outside bets cover larger sections of the roulette wheel. These have better odds of hitting, so payouts are smaller, but wins come more often.
| Bet Type | What You Bet On | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red or Black | The colour of the winning number | 1:1 |
| Odd or Even | Whether the winning number is odd or even | 1:1 |
| High or Low | 1–18 (Low) or 19–36 (High) | 1:1 |
| Dozens | One of three groups of 12 numbers | 2:1 |
| Columns | One of the three vertical columns | 2:1 |
For longer sessions and fewer swings, outside bets are the smarter choice. These are also the foundation of most beginner-friendly betting systems.
Want to compare the chance of winning on outside bets? Our Roulette Odds guide breaks it all down.
Pro Tip:
Many online players combine outside bets for steady wins and throw in a few inside bets to chase higher payouts. Just keep an eye on your minimum and maximum bets to make sure your strategy holds up over time.
Real Example of Roulette in Action
To show how an online roulette session plays out, we tested European roulette with a $100 bankroll at Winshark Casino.
Our Approach:
We used the Martingale betting system, which is popular for outside bets. The goal? Recover losses by doubling the bet after each loss, sticking with red or black.
What Happened:
| Spin | Bet Amount | Bet Type | Result | Total Bankroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2 | Red | Loss | $98 |
| 2 | $4 | Red | Loss | $94 |
| 3 | $8 | Red | Loss | $86 |
| 4 | $16 | Red | Loss | $70 |
| 5 | $32 | Red | Loss | $38 |
| 6 | $64 | Red | Win | $102 |
After five losing bets, we hit red on the sixth spin and recovered our losses with a small profit.
What We Learned:
- The Martingale betting system can work in the short term but gets risky fast.
- Minimum and maximum bets can limit how long you can double up, especially on tables with lower max bet limits.
- A long losing streak can drain your bankroll quickly if you're not careful.
For most players, combining steady outside bets with smart bankroll management is a better way to play longer and minimise risk.
Basic Roulette Strategies to Get You Started
No roulette strategy can change the odds of the game itself, they can help you manage your bankroll, structure your play, reduce big losses and maximise your play time.
Many online players use a betting system and roulette strategies to manage how they place more bets and recover from losses. Popular strategies include:
- Martingale: Double after each loss.
- Reverse Martingale: Double after wins.
- D’Alembert: Increase bets slowly after losses.
Each system has pros and cons. You can explore these in more detail in our Roulette Strategy guide.
Online vs. Live Roulette
Both styles offer a great way to play roulette, but they feel a bit different:
Online Roulette (RNG)
- Fast and solo.
- Ideal for low stakes.
Live Dealer Roulette
- Real dealer via video.
- More social and immersive.
Choose what fits your mood and bankroll.
Popular Online Roulette Variations
Once you've nailed the basics, it's worth checking out these online roulette variations. They tweak the standard rules to give you better odds, add excitement, or change up the payouts.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular ones:
-
European Roulette: The go-to version for many players, featuring a single zero (0) on the wheel. With 37 slots, it offers a house edge of 2.7%, making it a solid choice for those looking to get the best odds.
-
American Roulette: A close relative, but with an extra double zero (00), making it 38 slots in total. This raises the house edge to 5.26%, so it's a bit riskier but can be more exciting.
-
French Roulette: Very similar to European Roulette, but with a couple of extra rules like "La Partage" and "En Prison" that help reduce the house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%. It’s a great option for those who want better chances on even-money wagers.
-
Mini Roulette: A compact version of the classic, with just 13 pockets (numbers 1-12 plus a single zero). While the house edge is higher, it’s perfect for those wanting a quick and simple roulette experience.
These variants all offer something unique, whether you’re chasing better odds or just looking for a change of pace. Want to learn more about the strategies and differences? Check out our full guide on roulette variants.
Expert Tips to Maximise Your Roulette Play
You can't control where the ball lands, but you can make smarter choices that stretch your bankroll and keep the game fun. Here's how to play roulette like a pro:
1. Choose the Right Table
Stick to European roulette whenever possible. With just one zero, it offers a lower house edge than American tables, improving your long-term chance of winning.
Look for online tables with La Partage or En Prison rules. These reduce losses on even-money bets like red/black or odd or even if the ball lands on zero.
2. Start with Safer Betting Options
If you’re new to roulette, focus on outside bets—like red/black, high/low, and odd or even. These cover larger sections of the roulette wheel and give you nearly 50/50 odds.
Want to go bigger? Add a few inside bets on single numbers for higher payouts, but keep these as a small part of your strategy.
3. Watch the Table Limits
Before placing your first bet, check the minimum and maximum bets. Make sure the limits match your bankroll so you can stick to your plan without overcommitting.
4. Avoid Chasing Patterns
Don’t chase patterns. Just because red has hit five times doesn't mean black is next—every spin is random.
Other Roulette Playing Guuides
Conclusion
Roulette is easy to learn, fast to play, and always exciting. You don’t need complex strategies or big bankrolls to enjoy it—just a bit of luck and some smart choices.
Good luck, and remember: the best way to play roulette is to have fun while staying in control.
Emily is our seasoned content writer. She writes easy to read and helpful game guides, so you can quickly understand the rules of each game and get some useful tips that can help boost your chances of winning.
Read more about the authorLatest Guides
