When it comes to adapting virtual casino games to a live format, roulette is one of the easiest games to adapt. Roulette has been a long-time fan favorite, with a history going back to at least the 18th century. In present day, roulette is one of the most played games in land-based and online casinos alike. Unlike so many other casino games, such as blackjack or casino poker, roulette can be played by an infinite number of players at once. This means that there will always be a table available for you. All major software providers have created some form of roulette game to include in their game portfolio.
Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to understand and due to this fact it enjoys a wide player base. It is relatively slow paced and relaxing, letting you sit back in your chair and watch the wheel spin. The ability to play your favorite game without leaving the comfort of your home is one of the greatest achievements of the online casino industry, and it is greatly appreciated by players everywhere.
Advantages of Live Roulette
We have come a long way since the first iterations of live dealer games more than a decade ago. The technology has improved tremendously and with high-speed Internet available almost everywhere live games have become an important part of online casinos. One of the first games to be integrated into a live format was roulette. A fan favorite for many gamblers, roulette has benefited greatly from this adaptation and is currently one of the most played games in present day live casinos.
Live Roulette has many advantages over the virtual version and we will go into detail on some of them. For starters, the atmosphere of a real brick-and-mortar casino is replicated perfectly here. The authentic casino experience is something many players crave for and those who cannot visit a land-based casino can always turn to the online version. Here you can get the same quality of service and entertainment that you would expect.
The technology is as advanced as it has ever been. The quality of the picture is sharp and clear, in full high definition. With a modern Internet connection, you can play for hours without experiencing any significant delay or latency. Playing a live game has a social aspect to it that virtual game simply cannot provide. Since several players are placing bets on the same table, it only makes sense to allow them to communicate. You can use the chat interface to speak with the dealer and the other users. Additionally, the live interface allows you to track statistics, such as which numbers have come up previously or your previous bets. While this will not help you directly to beat the game, it may prove useful to people who care about that sort of thing. Whereas most live games have a single camera view, live roulette allows you to observe the table from several different angles. One covers the whole table and the dealer, the others focus on the wheel and the ball so that you can see with your own eyes in which pocket it lands.
The speed at which live roulette is played is much faster than at brick-and-mortar casinos. At a land-based establishment, the dealers have to place the bets and then distribute winnings, which can take quite a bit of time, depending on how many people are playing at the table. Live roulette, on the other hand, does not use physical chips for placement of bets, and all of that is handled virtually. As a result, you get to play more games in the same amount of time.
While virtual roulette games are calculated using RNG software and the outcome always up to fate to decide, the same cannot be said for live roulette. It is common fact the wheel and the ball are prone to wear and tear, making it possible for some numbers to come up more frequently than others. If such is the case and you observe the game long enough, you can actually get an idea of which numbers are more likely to win. This gives you an incredible advantage as the house edge turns around in your favor.
Another advantage of live roulette that not many people initially think of, is that there are many services available to you at the same time. With land-based casinos, you have to move from casino to casino with the hope of finding the proper game for you. Online casinos have no such issue, as you can instantly access many different websites simultaneously. There are many software providers that currently offer live roulette and you can pick and choose which version you like best. The competition between companies online is immense, as a result, each one strives to provide the best service, which from a consumer point of view is excellent.
Roulette Table Layout
A roulette table has a very distinct layout that is completely unmistakable. The wheel is the most recognizable feature of a roulette table. It has 36 pockets colored in red and black, as well as one or two additional ones for the zeroes, depending on the variation. To the side, you will find the table where you bet on the appropriate numbers. This is done by placing your chips on the numbers you wish to wager on.
The betting options are flexible, meaning that you can bet on several things at once. Bets can be placed on colors, specific numbers, groups of numbers, and odds or evens. The amount that you win depends entirely on the probability of success. Betting on a single number, called a Straight Up, will earn you a payout of 35:1. A Split, betting on 2 neighboring numbers will result in a 17:1 payout. A bet that covers 3 numbers in a single row is called a Street and will pay 11:1. A bet placed on 4 neighboring numbers, called a Corner, will pay 8:1. A Basket covers numbers 1,2,3 and both zeroes and pays 6:1. A Line consists of 6 numbers in 2 rows, paying out 5:1. These are collectively called Inside Bets.
A Column bet consists of 12 numbers, and has a payout of 2:1, a Dozen bet is the same but you bet on a range of numbers, such as 1 – 12. There are several wagers with a 1:1 payout, these are the Low Number (1-18), the High Number (19-38), Red or Black, and Odd or Even. These are known as Outside Bets. As you have probably noticed, these bets do not include the zero. In the event that the ball lands in a zero pocket, any Outside bets will be lost.
Roulette Variations
At a Live Casino, you are likely to encounter three main types of Roulette – European, French, and American Roulette. There are also Mini Roulette and Asian Roulette, though they are not as widespread as the other three. Each of these features the same premise, you bet on a number, the wheel is spun and if the ball lands on your number you win, though they have slightly different rules and odds from one another. Additionally, each software provider leaves their mark on each individual game. As a result, you might like some games better than others.
European Roulette
European Roulette, called classic by some, features 37 pockets for the 36 numbers and the zero. It is the most widely available variation of roulette in the world and is the accepted norm in many casinos, both online and land-based ones. It has the very low house edge of only 2.7%, giving you a good chance to get most of your money back if you do not score a big win. It has flexible pay rates, varying between 1:1 and 35:1.
French Roulette
Typically, French Roulette is very similar to European Roulette, the only difference being the layout of the table. The wheel still features 36 numbers and a zero, as well as the same payout percentages. However, a feature that European Roulette does not have is the La Partage rule. This rule dictates that when you place an Outside bet and the ball lands in the zero pocket, then only 50% of your bet is lost and you get to keep the other half. Due to this, French Roulette has a slightly higher return to player percentage than the other variations.
American Roulette
American Roulette differs from French and European Roulette in that it features a double zero (00) pocket, in addition to the other 37 numbers. The house is higher than the other two variations by almost two times at 5.26%, as opposed to the 2.7% of French and European Roulette. This is due to the extra pocket for the double zero. This makes American roulette the least favorable game in terms of odds and winnings potential.
Mini Roulette
Mini roulette is a miniature version of your typical roulette game. The wheel features only 13 pockets, numbers 1-12 and a single zero. It has slightly different odds adjusted for the lower number of pockets. It is not as widely available as its full-scale counterparts but there are some casinos that offer it.
Odds, Probability and House Edge
The house edge is defined as the long-term advantage that the casino has in terms of winnings. It guarantees that over a long period of time the casino will make more money than it pays out while offering a high short-term win potential to players. The house edge stems from the fact that the casino does not pay winnings in the ātrue oddsā ratio. True odds are, for example, when you play at 1:5 risk and receive 5:1 payment if you win. A casino game will pay a slightly lower ratio than the risk you played at. If you play at 1 to 5 chance to win, the casino will pay you only 4 times the wagered sum. By putting this into practice the casino ensures that it never loses money in the long term.
The house edge varies between games and it depends on the odds that you play at. For instance, placing a bet on a single number in European Roulette has a win chance of 1:37, while also having a payout rate of 35:1. This constitutes a house edge of around 2.7%, meaning that on average the casino pays out 97.3% of all bets, but keeps 2.7% for itself and as a result if you play for long enough you will lose money. This is a very important part of casino play since your aim is to play at the best possible odds.
Generally, European and French Roulette have a house edge of 2.7%, which is low relative to other casino games. American Roulette, on the other hand, features an extra double zero (00) pocket but does not increase the payout ratio to compensate for this, increasing the house edge to 5.27%.
| Type of Bet | Winning Spaces | Payout | Odds against Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | Any single number including 0 | 35 to 1 | 36 to 1 |
| Split | Any two adjoining numbers | 17 to 1 | 18 to 1 |
| Basket | 0,1,2 or 0,2,3 | 11 to 1 | 11.33 to 1 |
| Street | Any three numbers horizontal | 11 to 1 | 11.33 to 1 |
| Corner | Any four adjoining numbers | 8 to 1 | 8.25 to 1 |
| Six Line | Any six numbers from two rows | 5 to 1 | 5.167 to 1 |
| 1st Column | 1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28,31,34 | 2 to 1 | 2.083 to 1 |
| 2nd Column | 2,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35 | 2 to 1 | 2.083 to 1 |
| 3rd Column | 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30,33,36 | 2 to 1 | 2.083 to 1 |
| 1st Dozen | 1 through 12 | 2 to 1 | 2.083 to 1 |
| 2nd Dozen | 13 through 24 | 2 to 1 | 2.083 to 1 |
| 3rd Dozen | 25 through 36 | 2 to 1 | 2.083 to 1 |
| Odd | 1,3,5,7…33,35 | 1 to 1 | 1.056 to 1 |
| Even | 2,4,6,8…34,36 | 1 to 1 | 1.056 to 1 |
| Red | Any Red | 1 to 1 | 1.056 to 1 |
| Black | Any Black | 1 to 1 | 1.056 to 1 |
| 1 to 18 | 1,2,3,4…18 | 1 to 1 | 1.056 to 1 |
| 19 to 36 | 19,20,21,22…36 | 1 to 1 | 1.056 to 1 |
Return to Player Percentage
The return to player percentage refers to the percentage of all bets that is paid out to winning players over the course of many games. Your normal roulette game has a return to player percentage higher than 90%. This number varies between the different types of roulette, due to the difference in the house edge. An easy way to calculate the return to player percentage is to take 100% of all bets, subtract the house edge percentage and whatever is left is the return percentage on average.
A common misconception that people have is that they are guaranteed that amount in winnings, while this is most certainly not the case. The return figures are calculated over the course of thousands of games and are only accurate in the long term. If you play just 10 games, you are just as likely to score 10 wins, as you are to lose 10 times. The return percentage only becomes viable if you play for hours. One must always keep in mind that the odds are stacked against them, no matter how insignificant they seem. Drawn out gambling sessions are more likely to result in losses. If your goal is to win then keep your play time short, as that is the most viable way.
Roulette Strategies
Roulette has been entertaining countless gamblers for a very long time and over the years some players have developed strategies to be able to win somewhat consistently. These strategies have withstood the test of time and proven themselves to be reliable, in the sense that when you use them you are more likely to come out with a net win. Keep in mind that roulette is still a game of chance and when it comes down to it there is no such thing as a guaranteed win. What the strategies are meant to do is provide you with some in-depth knowledge and the chance to win with as little risk as possible.
Fibonacci System
Those of you who are versed in the mystic art of mathematics may have heard of the Fibonacci sequence. It is a progression, where each number is the combined sum of the previous two. Since odds and probability go hand in hand with mathematics it is no surprise that someone has applied a mathematical concept to roulette. This system allows you gamble relatively safely, even if the net winnings will be somewhat low. The ideal way is to bet on either red or black, since those are the best odds, and then increase your bets with every loss until you win, at which point you will revert to your original bet. For instance, you bet 1 on black and lose, then bet 1 again, then bet 2, then 3, then 5 and so on until you win. The brilliant thing about this strategy is that due to the way the bets are structured you will always end up winning back the previously lost bets. The negative side of it is that the profit margins are very low for the money that you bet. You must also be careful when using this strategy since every further bet is higher than the previous, which might cause you to run out of money very quickly if you do not win.
| Spin # | Sequence | Bet Size (Units) | Spin Outcome | Net Winning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | Lose | -1 |
| 2 | 1-1 | 1 | Lose | -2 |
| 3 | 1-1-2 | 2 | Lose | -4 |
| 4 | 1-1-2-3 | 3 | Win | -1 |
| 5 | 1-1 | 1 | Win | 0 |
| 6 | 1 | 1 | Win | 1 |
Martingale Roulette System
The Martingale system is similar to the Fibonacci one, but it progresses much faster. It requires you to double your bet with every loss and then go back to a lower sum when you win. The Martingale strategy has the same idea behind it as the Fibonacci, in the sense that due to the increase in bet size you will get back every previously lost bet if you win. The pitfall in this strategy is that you can run out of money really quickly if you do not win. For this reason, it is recommended to place Outside bets such as on red or black, or alternatively on 1-18 or 19-36. These bets give you the highest chance to win, even if the net profit is rather low.
| Spin # | Bet Size | Spin Outcome | Net Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 | Win | 50 |
| 2 | 50 | Lose | 0 |
| 3 | 100 | Lose | -50 |
| 4 | 150 | Lose | -100 |
| 5 | 200 | Win | 100 |
| 6 | 50 | Win | 150 |
DāAlembert Roulette Strategy
The DāAlembert strategy is more conservative than the previous two, as the change of bets is much smaller. This system dictates that you should increase your bet by 1 with every loss, and decrease it by 1 with every win. This results in a relatively low-risk strategy that does not require a large balance to play. As is the case with low-risk betting, your winnings will not be very high, but as long as you win every couple of spins you will end up with more money than you started with. You will have the best results when you place bets on colors or high or low groups of numbers.
| Spin # | Bet Size (Units) | Spin Outcome | Net Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Win | 5 |
| 2 | 4 | Lose | 1 |
| 3 | 5 | Lose | -4 |
| 4 | 6 | Lose | -10 |
| 5 | 7 | Win | -3 |
| 6 | 6 | Win | 3 |
Cover the Table Strategy
One of the first strategies to come to mind is to bet on every possible outcome. As interesting as this sounds, it does not work. The casino has an inherent advantage in the form of the house edge. Betting on everything will result in a definite loss of money, so a more sensible tactic would be to cover most of the table but not all of it. If you bet on 35 out of 36 numbers you will win most of the time, but each losing spin will be worth 35 winning ones. Unless you have initial success and quit before you lose too much, you will not see a lot in terms of wins.
Flat Betting
This strategy should also be addressed here as it widely used by many new players. Flat betting is basically placing a bet on a single number over and over the again until the ball lands in the winning pocket. The bet remains the same for the duration of the game. The fault with this strategy is that if you do not win early on you will absolutely lose money. When utilizing this tactic you have to understand that the odds are stacked against you. With a 1 out of 37 chance (or 38, as is the case in American roulette) to hit the winning number and a payout rate of 35:1, statistically, you are more likely to lose slightly more than you stand to win. The house edge makes it certain that in the long term you will lose more than you win. Unless you win in the first 34 spins, everything else after that will be a loss.
Oscarās Grind
Oscar’sā Grind is one of the simplest gambling strategies that you can easily incorporate into your gameplay. It is best to use this strategy on even odds, such as reds or blacks, or odds or evens. The strategy has four stages on it: 1-2-3-4. With every win increase the bet size by 1. Unlike other similar strategies that we mentioned here, this one does not ask of you to reduce the size of the bets when you lose. If you indeed lose a spin, then just keep the bet the same size. The idea here is to keep at this until you get 1 unit of profit, at which point start the progression over again. It does not matter at what stage you were when it happened, just start over. The fault in this strategy is that if you get a bad losing series you might end up without money. Other than that, it is a very simple and safe system, that anyone can use.
| Spin # | Bet Size (Units) | Spin Outcome | Net Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Win | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | Lose | -1 |
| 3 | 2 | Lose | -3 |
| 4 | 2 | Win | -1 |
| 5 | 2 | Win | +1 |
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