What is roulette?
Roulette is straightforward: a wheel spins, a ball drops, and you bet on where it lands. European wheels have 37 pockets (0-36), American wheels have 38 (adding a double zero). The betting options range from single numbers to colours, odd/even, and number groups. All online roulette in Estonia uses certified RNG systems at EMTA-licensed casinos. Roulette is a game of chance - the house edge is baked in - but choosing the right variant and understanding the bets extends your playing time and improves your experience.
Types of roulette
European roulette
The version you'll find everywhere in Estonia. 37 pockets, single zero, 2.7% house edge. That means you lose an average of €2.70 for every €100 wagered over time. Always pick European over American - the single zero makes a real difference. Available at every EMTA-licensed casino in both RNG and live versions.
American roulette
38 pockets - the extra double zero nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%. You lose an average of €5.26 per €100 wagered. Some casinos offer it, but it's significantly worse for you. Always choose European when you can.
French roulette
Same 37 pockets as European, but with two special rules: La Partage and En Prison. Under La Partage, when the ball hits zero, even-money bets get half their stake back. That slashes the house edge to 1.35% - the best odds you'll find at any roulette table. If you mainly bet red/black or odd/even, French roulette is the clear winner. Available at select EMTA-licensed casinos.
Live roulette
Real dealer, real wheel, real ball - streamed to your screen. No RNG, the outcome is determined by physics. Chat with the dealer and other players while you watch. Popular variants include Lightning Roulette, XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, and Speed Roulette. Minimum bets from €0.50. Online roulette offers a wide selection of live tables.
Mini roulette and other variants
Mini roulette shrinks the wheel to 13 pockets (1-12 plus zero). Higher house edge than European. Multi-Wheel Roulette spins several wheels at once. Double Ball Roulette uses two balls. Auto Roulette spins automatically without a dealer. Different flavours, same basic rules. Check the house edge before you play a new variant.
Roulette rules
The roulette table and wheel
The roulette table consists of two parts: the wheel and the betting layout. The wheel has numbered pockets (37 for European roulette, 38 for American roulette). The betting layout has numbers 0-36 (and 00 for American roulette) and various betting areas. Players place their chips on the betting layout before the spin. The dealer spins the wheel and throws the ball in the opposite direction. The ball lands in one of the numbered pockets, determining the winning number.
Placing bets
To place a bet, select a chip value and place it on the betting layout. Bets can be placed before the dealer announces "No more bets" (Rien ne va plus). There are two types of bets: inside bets on the number grid and outside bets around the number grid. You can place multiple bets on the same spin. The minimum and maximum bet are determined by the table rules.
Determining winning numbers
When the ball lands in one of the numbered pockets, it determines the winning number. The dealer places a marker (dolly) on the winning number on the betting layout. All bets that do not cover this number are lost. Winning bets are paid according to the payout table. After payouts, the dealer collects losing chips and the game starts again.
Payouts
Payouts depend on the bet type. A straight up bet (single number) pays 35:1. A split bet (two numbers) pays 17:1. A street bet (three numbers) pays 11:1. A corner bet (four numbers) pays 8:1. A line bet (six numbers) pays 5:1. Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) pay 1:1. Dozen and column bets pay 2:1.
Roulette bets
Inside bets
Inside bets are placed on the number grid and offer higher payouts but lower winning odds:
Outside bets
Outside bets are placed around the number grid and offer lower payouts but higher winning odds:
Roulette odds and house edge
Understanding how odds work is essential when playing roulette. Here is a comparison table:
Why European roulette is always better: European roulette has only one zero, meaning 37 numbers. American roulette has a double zero, which increases the house edge by almost twice. If you can choose, always choose European roulette. French roulette with the La Partage rule is even better, especially for even-money bets.
Example: If you bet €100 on European roulette and play 100 spins, the expected loss is €2.70 (100 × 2.70%). On American roulette, the expected loss would be €5.26. This difference increases significantly over longer playing sessions.
Roulette strategies
Roulette is luck-based, but strategies help you structure your bets and manage your bankroll. Here's what people use:
Martingale system
Martingale is the most well-known roulette strategy. The principle is simple: double your bet after every loss. When you win, you recover all losses and earn a small profit. Start with a small bet (e.g. €1). If you lose, bet €2. If you lose again, bet €4. If you win, you recover all losses and earn €1 profit. Problem: Martingale requires a large bankroll and table limits can prevent doubling. This strategy does not overcome the house edge, it just changes the pattern of losses.
Reverse Martingale (Paroli)
The Paroli strategy is the reverse version of Martingale. Double your bet after every win, not after a loss. The goal is to take advantage of winning streaks. If you lose, you return to the base bet. This strategy is safer than Martingale, as losses are limited to the base bet. Paroli is a good choice for players who want to reduce risk.
Fibonacci system
The Fibonacci strategy is based on the famous Fibonacci number sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...). After a loss, move to the next number in the sequence. After a win, move back two numbers. This strategy is slower than Martingale and requires less bankroll. However, it does not overcome the house edge and the expected loss is the same in the long run.
D'Alembert system
The D'Alembert strategy is a milder version of Martingale. Increase the bet by one unit after a loss and decrease by one unit after a win. This strategy is safer than Martingale, as bet changes are smaller. D'Alembert is suitable for players who prefer a more conservative approach.
James Bond strategy
The James Bond strategy involves a combination of three bets: €140 on numbers 19-36, €50 on numbers 13-18, and €10 on zero. This covers 25 out of 37 numbers. If the ball lands on a number between 19-36, you win €80. If it lands on 13-18, you win €100. If it lands on zero, you win €160. If it lands on a number between 1-12, you lose €200. This strategy requires a large bankroll and does not overcome the house edge.
Do strategies work?
No. No strategy overcomes the house edge long-term. Every spin is independent. Strategies change the pattern of wins and losses, but not the maths. The real strategy: pick European or French roulette, stick to lower house edge bets, and play responsibly. Our how we test casinos page covers how we evaluate roulette games.
Important: No strategy guarantees a win. Roulette uses random number generators and the house always has an edge. Set a budget before you play and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Read our responsible gambling guide for tools and resources.
Best roulette casinos in Estonia 2026
These EMTA-licensed casinos offer the best roulette selection for Estonian players. All have been tested with real deposits.
Live roulette in Estonia
Live roulette offers an authentic casino experience with real dealers via live stream. Players see the dealer spin the wheel and ball in real time. Live roulette is available 24/7 and offers interaction with the dealer and other players via chat.
How live roulette works
Live roulette uses a real wheel and ball, which means no RNG is used. Players bet on a digital betting layout and the dealer spins the wheel. The result is determined by where the ball lands. Live roulette is more transparent than RNG roulette, as players see the entire process in real time. Online roulette offers a wide selection of live roulette tables.
Popular live roulette variants
Lightning Roulette is Evolution Gaming's popular variant that adds random multipliers (50x-500x) to straight up bets. XXXtreme Lightning Roulette offers even higher multipliers (up to 2000x). Speed Roulette is a faster variant where spins occur every 25 seconds. Auto Roulette uses an automatic wheel without a dealer. These variants offer different gaming experiences and higher potential winnings.
Best live roulette casinos
Optibet, OlyBet, and Chanz offer the best live roulette experience in Estonia. All three casinos are EMTA-licensed and offer Evolution Gaming live roulette tables. Minimum bets start from €0.50. Check our casino reviews to find the best one for you.
How to start playing roulette
Step 1: Choose a casino
Choose an EMTA-licensed casino from our list above. Check if the casino offers your preferred roulette variant (European, French, live). Familiarise yourself with the bonus terms. All our recommended casinos are tested and safe.
Step 2: Set a budget
Before playing, set a fixed budget and stick to it. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. A good rule is to never bet more than 5% of your total bankroll on a single spin. This gives you more spins and more chances to win.
Step 3: Choose a table
Choose a table that suits your budget. RNG roulette minimum bets start from €0.10, live roulette from €0.50. For beginners, we recommend starting with RNG roulette to learn the game mechanics. Once you have experience, move on to live roulette.
Step 4: Start playing
Start with small bets and use simple bets (red/black, odd/even). These bets offer the best winning odds. Once you understand the game, you can try more complex bets. Don't forget to enjoy the game. Roulette is entertainment, not a way to make money.
Use our casino bonuses to get extra money for playing roulette. Many casinos offer welcome bonuses that can be used on roulette. Also check our Trustly casinos page for quick deposits.
Frequently asked questions
Editorial disclosure: CasinoRoyale.ee contains affiliate links. We may receive commission when you sign up through our links. This does not affect our ratings or recommendations. All casinos listed are licensed by EMTA. Last updated: 13 August 2026.