Live Roulette is one of the most exciting and iconic games in any online casino. It combines the classic thrill of the spinning wheel with the immersion of a real, human dealer, streamed directly to you in high definition. If you’re new to the game, it can seem intimidating, but the rules are simple to learn.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to sit at a live roulette table with confidence, understand the bets, and enjoy the experience.
The Objective of Live Roulette
The goal of roulette is simple: predict which numbered pocket the ball will land in on the spinning wheel. The European roulette wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 0-36. You can place a variety of bets on a single number, a group of numbers, the color (red or black), or whether the number will be odd or even.

The Most Common Types of Bets
Bets in roulette are broken into two main categories: “Inside Bets” and “Outside Bets.” As a beginner, it’s easiest to start with Outside Bets as they offer better odds of winning.
Outside Bets (Lower Risk)
- Red/Black: A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black. (Pays 1:1)
- Odd/Even: A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even. (Pays 1:1)
- High/Low: A bet on whether the number will be in the low range (1-18) or the high range (19-36). (Pays 1:1)
- Dozens: A bet on one of three dozen numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36). (Pays 2:1)
Inside Bets (Higher Risk, Higher Reward)
- Straight Up: A bet on a single number. This offers the highest payout. (Pays 35:1)
- Split: A bet placed on the line between two adjacent numbers. (Pays 17:1)
- Street: A bet on a row of three numbers. (Pays 11:1)
How a Round of Live Roulette Works
- Place Your Bets: The live dealer will announce, “Place your bets, please.” You’ll use your mouse to click on the virtual chips and place them on the betting table on screen.
- No More Bets: After a short time, the dealer will wave their hand over the table and announce, “No more bets.” The betting window is now closed.
- The Spin: The dealer will spin the wheel and drop the ball in.
- The Result: The ball will land in a pocket. The dealer will announce the winning number and color, and a marker will be placed on the winning number on the table.
- Payouts: The casino’s software automatically pays out any winning bets and clears the losing bets from the table. The next round begins!
Conclusion: A Classic for a Reason
Live Roulette is a fantastic game for new casino players. It’s easy to understand, slow-paced, and highly social. By starting with simple outside bets, you can get a feel for the game and enjoy the thrill of the wheel. To see this in action, check out some of the options on our main Live Dealer Games page.