Our Guide to Live Roulette – the Rules, Game, and Features
Roulette is still one of the most recognisable and popular casino games today, with players watching the iconic wheel spin in both land-based casino venues and digital casino platforms.
Among the different formats of Roulette, one of the more recent types that has gained popularity is live Roulette. This game merges traditional table rules with real-time streaming technology to offer a format that closely resembles a physical casino setting – but with advanced digital features.
This guide outlines the basics of how a game of live Roulette online works, the types of bets you can place, and the main features to expect when playing.
The basics of live Roulette
Live Roulette follows the same core rules as the classic land-based version. The main difference is that instead of sitting at a physical table at a land-based casino, the game is streamed from a dedicated studio straight to your chosen device.
A live dealer spins a physical wheel, and players place bets on where they think a small ball will land once it’s released onto the wheel.
The wheel contains 37 or 38 pockets, depending on the game variation:
- European Roulette: 37 pockets (numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero)
- American Roulette: 38 pockets (numbers 1 to 36, a single zero, and a double zero)
Types of Bets
A key aspect of live Roulette is the wide range of betting options, which are generally grouped into two categories – inside bets and outside bets.
Inside Bets
These are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the betting table, and they typically carry higher payouts due to their lower probability. Examples include:
- Straight up – A bet on a single number
- Split – A bet on two adjacent numbers
- Street – A bet on three numbers in a horizontal line
- Corner – A bet on four numbers that form a square
- Line – A bet covering six numbers across two adjacent rows
Outside Bets
These cover larger sections of the wheel and offer lower payouts due to their higher probabilities. Examples include:
- Red or black – A bet on the colour of the number
- Odd or even – A bet on whether the number is odd or even
- High or low – A bet on numbers 1–18 (low) or 19–36 (high)
- Dozens – A bet on one of three sets of dozens: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36
- Columns – A bet on one of the three vertical columns of numbers on the layout
Key Features in Live Roulette
Most live Roulette games incorporate a range of features that add layers to gameplay, as well as increasing transparency without altering the basic rules:
Real-time streaming
The action is streamed from a professional studio or land-based casino venue. Multiple camera angles may be used to ensure clear visibility of the wheel, betting table, and every action during gameplay.
Live chat
Many live Roulette platforms include a live chat function, allowing you to interact with the dealer during gameplay. This allows you to ask any questions relating to the game.
Betting time limits
You’ll typically have a limited window to place your bets before the dealer spins the wheel. A timer is displayed on screen to indicate when betting is open or closed, and once closed, the wheel is spun and the ball is released.
Live Roulette offers a simple yet dynamic table format that allows you to play the classic game without needing to visit a land-based casino venue. And, despite the advanced features and digital mechanics, every outcome remains fair and determined by chance.
The range of bets allows for different styles of play, from those preferring to focus on individual numbers to others who may opt for broader, more frequent possibilities. As with all games of chance, it’s important to understand the rules and know when to step away.