Ultimate roulette strategy guide for UK players in 2024
IF you’re into great online casinos, you probably enjoy playing roulette. The thrill of watching the ball go around the wheel and landing on your chosen pocket is unmatched.
Roulette is also one of the most diverse casino games, as it features dozens of variants with different bets and game mechanics.
But getting started with online roulette can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. Luckily, we've compiled a roulette guide that will introduce you to the most important aspects of this game, including the best variants, the different bets you can make, and the top strategies to use. We’ll also provide several tips on how to improve your bets.
What is roulette?
Roulette has a long-spanning history that goes all the way back to 1655. It all started with Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and physicist, and his attempt to create a perpetual motion machine. Later, in 1842, a roulette wheel with a single zero was created for Monte Carlo casinos, solidifying the country’s reputation as one of Europe’s gambling capitals.
The game also became popular in the USA during the 19th century. American players opted for a double zero configuration, changing the probability for each number and increasing the house edge.
Roulette features a wheel with 36 black/red pockets and one (or two) green pockets. Players can place a wide variety of bets using the different table segments. After bets are placed, the wheel is spun, and a ball is added. The game ends once the ball falls into a pocket.
How to play roulette
Here’s a short walkthrough to help you understand how a roulette round goes:
- Place your bets: The game starts with players placing their bets on the table. You can use the table sections to bet on specific numbers, the colour, if it’s odd or even, if it’s over or under 18, etc.
- The round starts: After the betting period ends, the croupier spins the wheel. Once it’s spinning, a white ball is dropped on the wheel. The round progresses until the ball lands in one of the coloured pockets.
- Wins are paid: If you win, congratulations! Your payout will vary according to the bets you placed. If you lose, the croupier will remove your chips from the table.
Which factors affect roulette betting?
Although roulette betting is relatively simple, there are a few factors that can affect the way you bet. Here’s what you should know:
- Game type: Different roulette games have different bets you can make. For instance, some live roulette variants feature special multipliers that can improve the payouts on random numbers.
- Choice of bet: Roulette bets vary according to their odds and payouts. Some pay even money (1x your bet), others can triple your stake, and some can even pay 36x your wager. Knowing the odds for each bet is one of the most important roulette tips.
- Betting limits: Not all roulette tables have the same limits. Some are designed for beginners, while others are perfect for high-rollers. You can view the betting limits before getting started.
European vs American Roulette
European and American Roulette are the two most popular versions of the game. Check out their differences below:
Number of zeros
European Roulette has a single zero, while American Roulette has two. The latter is also known as double zero roulette.
Odds of each bet
Since it has one less zero, the odds for European Roulette are better.
House edge
European Roulette has a house edge of 2.6% and American Roulette has a house edge of 5.25%.
Online roulette vs live roulette
There are two main ways to play roulette at a gambling site – online or live. Almost every casino, be it an old or new online gambling venue, will have both varieties. See what makes each game special and choose your favourite:
Real Croupier
Online roulette features an RNG algorithm to ensure every game is random. Live roulette games rely on a real croupier who spins the wheel and adds the ball.
Live chat
Live roulette allows you to chat with the croupier and other players. This makes it a more social game.
Immersion
Live roulette uses state-of-the-art streaming services to broadcast the action, making you feel like you’re at a real casino.
What bets can you make in roulette?
The roulette table is divided into two major areas – outside and inside bets. Learn more about each bet by reading the sections below:
Outside bets
As the name implies, these bets are placed outside the numbers on the roulette table. Here are the bets you can make:
- Red/Black: This bet involves guessing if the ball will land on a red or black number. It pays even money (1:1)
- Odd/Even: With this bet, you’ll be betting if the result is odd or even. This bet also pays even money (1:1).
- High/Low: The goal is to guess if the number will be over or under 18. The payout for this bet is even (1:1).
- Column: To win this bet, the result must be one of the numbers on the column you chose. This bet pays 3x your stake (2:1)
- Dozens: You can bet on which dozen you think the number will be – 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36. It has a payout of 3x your bet (2:1).
Inside bets
Inside bets are placed within the numbers section on the roulette table. Check out the different bets available:
- Straight up/Classic/Single number: A bet on a single number. It has the highest payout in roulette – 36x your bet (35:1).
- Split: A bet divided between two adjacent numbers. It has a payout of 18x your wager (17:1).
- Street: This bet can be placed on a single row, for instance, 22, 23, and 24. It pays 12x your bet (11:1).
- Corner/Square: With this bet, you’ll be wagering on four adjacent numbers. The payout is 9x your stake (8:1).
- Six line: Similar to the Street bet, except it applies to two rows. It pays 6x your bet (5:1:).
- Basket/Top line: This bet includes five numbers – 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It’s only available for American Roulette and has a payout of 7x your bet (6:1).
Is there a winning roulette strategy?
Roulette is a luck-based game, which means there aren’t any foolproof strategies that can give you the upper hand. But a roulette strategy guide can still be incredibly helpful, as it’ll teach about bankroll management and the best bets to make.
Even though these roulette strategies won’t increase your odds, they can help you keep the house edge at its lowest.
What are the most popular roulette strategies?
Roulette strategies are divided into two categories: progressive and non-progressive. Both types of strategies can be useful if you’re getting started into online roulette. Learn their differences and check out our top roulette strategy tips.
Progressive strategies
A progressive roulette strategy requires increasing or decreasing your stake every round, depending if you win or lose your bet. Most progressive strategies apply to even money bets. Check out a few strategy guides about progressive betting systems for roulette.
Martingale betting
The Martingale system is one of the most popular roulette strategies. All you have to do is set a base stake and double it on every loss. If you win, restart the sequence by returning to the base amount.
Grand Martingale betting
As the name implies, this strategy roulette is based on the Martingale system. The only difference is that you must add one base unit to your bet after doubling it.
Labouchere betting
With this strategy, you start by deciding how much you want to win and dividing that number into smaller amounts. For instance, if you wanted to win £50, you could divide it as:
5 7 12 9 10 7
To bet, take the leftmost and rightmost numbers and add them together. If you win, you can remove those numbers from your sequence. If you lose, add your stake to the right side of the sequence.
D’Alembert betting
The D’Alembert system is straightforward. All you have to do is increase your stake by one unit when you lose and decrease it by one unit if you win. Every guide roulette strategy will tell you the same – it’s one of the best systems for beginners.
Fibonacci betting
This strategy requires following the famous Fibonacci sequence, in which each number is the sum of the two numbers that precede it – 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. Every time you lose, you move the next number in the sequence. If you win, go back two numbers.
Paroli betting
The Paroli system requires doubling your bet on every win. However, you must return to the base stake on every third win.
Non-progressive strategies
Unlike the strategies previously mentioned, non-progressive strategies don’t follow a sequence or a pattern. With these strategies, you should always bet the same amount no matter if you win or lose.
One of the most popular non-progressive roulette strategies is the Andrucci system. It requires noting the most popular numbers between 30 and 37 rounds and then betting on those numbers for the same number of rounds.
Our top 5 roulette strategy tips
Are you looking to improve the way you play roulette? We have a solution! Here are five of the best roulette strategy tips:
Don’t bet on Red and Black
If you’re a beginner, betting on Red and Black may seem like a good way to turn a profit. But if you think about it, you’ll notice there’s actually no way of winning if you bet on both colours. In addition, there’s also the chance of the ball landing on 0, resulting in a loss.
Learn the math behind the game
Understanding the mathematical aspect of roulette can help learn which bets have the best value. This is done by comparing the odds versus the payouts. The bigger the difference between these two parameters, the higher the house edge.
Understand the odds
Knowing the odds of each bet is one of the most valuable roulette tips. This is because you’ll be able to quickly determine if a bet is riskier or safer. It’ll also help you keep the house edge at its lowest percentage.
Use bonuses effectively
Casino bonuses are a great way to enjoy online roulette. It’s important to read the bonus terms before getting started, as it'll help you use your bonus effectively. You should remember the wagering requirements, i.e. the number of times you’ll have to bet your bonus.
Manage your bankroll
A roulette strategy won’t guarantee you a win, but it can still be useful to help you manage your bankroll. Adjusting your stakes can make you last longer at the table.
How much should you bet on roulette?
There’s no definitive answer regarding how much you should bet, as it depends on your bankroll. You should always play using a bankroll management strategy. This can help you determine an optimal bet percentage and even prevent heavy losses.
Can you win real money betting on roulette?
Yes. Every day, millions of players enjoy online roulette with real money. Even though winning isn’t guaranteed, there’s always a chance of the ball landing in your chosen pocket. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next lucky player!
What is the best casino to play roulette?
You won’t have issues finding a top-rated online casino to play roulette in the UK. However, we recommend Magic Red. The casino has dozens of roulette games, including live roulette titles, and fair bonuses. It also accepts fast and safe payment methods, like PayPal, Trustly, and Skrill.
Why we love roulette
Playing roulette has several benefits, otherwise it wouldn’t be one of the most popular casino games. Here are a few reasons we love this game:
- Roulette is incredibly easy to learn
- Has a low house edge compared to other casino games
- There are dozens of roulette strategies available
What to look out for when playing roulette
Even though we’re huge fans of roulette, the game still has a few drawbacks. Here are some things to keep in mind before playing online roulette for real money:
- Some roulette variants have a higher house edge
- Roulette is a luck-based game
- Roulette strategies won’t help you win more often
What other table games should I try out?
If you like playing roulette, you’ll likely enjoy other classic casino games, including blackjack, baccarat, and poker. The good news is that online casinos also have live versions of these games.
Our tips for betting in roulette
Extra tips are always welcome! Improve your knowledge about roulette by checking these additional roulette tips:
- Choose variants with the lowest house edge: Playing roulette variants with a lower house edge can be beneficial in the long run.
- Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose: You should always create a bankroll before playing roulette. If you exceed it, it’s best to call it a day.
- Don’t chase your losses: Chasing losses is never a good idea. Most of the time, it’ll only result in heavier losses.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
