Roulette is one of the casino classics which can be found in almost every casino. The game is popular all over the world as it has a very exciting game play and simple rules. When most people hear the word roulette, the first thing that comes to their mind is the spinning of the ball or the elaborate wheel as the whole gaming process revolves around these two elements. Just like for many other casino games, there are various disputes about the origins of roulette. It is believed that a form of roulette was found for the first time in France during the 18th century. In fact, in French roulette means little wheel.
Regardless of whether you are a novice player or a seasoned one, you will be able to play roulette as it is a game of chance that has a fairly straightforward rules. The objective of the game is very simple – you have to guess the number on which the ball will stop. During the spinning of the wheel, you are able to get a feeling of anticipation and excitement which make the game worthwhile. Its dynamic gaming process and huge variety of betting options are also among the things that make this game interesting.
How to Play
It is very easy to play roulette as the whole gaming process is very simple. All you need to do is to place a bet on the number on which you think the ball will most likely land. A dealer is responsible for spinning the wheel and this is how the outcome of every round is determined. In order to place a bet, you need to use chips which have different denominations. You are given the chance to place bets during the spinning of the ball but when it starts to slow down, the croupier will announce ‘no more bets’. At the end of every round, the croupier pays out all players who have managed to guess the winning number correctly.
When it comes to roulette, you are given the chance to choose from a number of betting options. The two main types of wagers are outside and inside bets. The latter allows you to place bets on either one single number or a group of numbers. The inside bets in roulette are corner, split, five, street, straight and sixline. In general, the outside bets are considered much simpler and beneficial as they offer better odds of winning.
However, bear in mind that their payouts are also much smaller than the payouts of the inside bets. What makes outside bets less risky is the fact that in such cases, you place bets on particular properties such as whether the numbers are even or odd, red or black, high or low and so on. Some games also feature call bets which can be placed by the croupier only. In land-based casinos, you are required to simply call the amount you wish to place. Some of the most popular call bets are Les Voisins du Zero /Neighbours of Zero/, Jeu Zero /Zero Game/, Les Orphelins / The Orphans/ and Les Finales /Final Bets/.
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Variations
Roulette is one of the most popular games which you can play all over the world. Therefore, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that throughout the years, a few variations have emerged. Presently, there are four well-known versions of the game which you can play at both land-based and web-based casinos. French, American, European and Mini roulette are the most widespread variations which give you the chance to greatly diversify your gambling experience. All of them share the same basics but the main thing which sets them apart from one another is the wheel they feature.
American Roulette
Initially, when this variation was introduced, it was popular only in Asian and American casinos. However, today this is not the case as it can be also found in various casinos throughout the world. When it comes to roulette, the wheel plays a crucial role as it determines your odds of winning to a great extent. In American roulette, the wheel features 38 pockets, instead of the standard 37 pockets. The reason why this version offers more slots is that it features two green pockets.
The first green slot has one zero, whereas the second one – two. The numbers marked on the wheel are from 1 through 36 and all of them are coloured in either black or red. The way in which the numbers are positioned on the wheel is not random as its layout has been especially designed to balance them. You will notice that the numbers alternate and that opposite black numbers, there are always positioned red ones. The complicated design of the wheel makes it possible for the ball to spin in a completely random manner and to land on different numbers every time.
One important thing that you need to take into account, if you decide to try a particular variation, is the house edge. When it comes to American roulette, you should know that it offers a higher house edge in comparison to European and French roulette. This aspect is one of the most important things which you should consider before you join a roulette table since it directly influences your odds of winning. In American roulette, the house edge is 5.26% which makes this variation rather unfavourable for the players.
The types of bets which you can place in this variation are also divided into two categories – outside and inside bets. The available betting options highly resemble the ones you have while playing the standard game. The only unique bet this version offers is called a Five-number bet. The bet that offers the best house edge – 7.89%, is the Five Line bet. In most cases, its payout is 6 to 1. The rest of the available bets have a house edge of 5.26% and their payout differs from one another.
European Roulette
European roulette is the favourite variation of many players due to the fact that it offers them better chances of winning. However, the fairly low house edge is not the only thing that attracts gamblers from all over the world as its exciting game play and rules further contribute to its increasing popularity. As its name indicates, this version is predominantly played in Europe but it is also possible to find it in a number of online casinos as well and thus, play it from any part of the world.
The basic rules and the available betting options you can choose from are pretty much the same as in the original game. What sets this variation apart from the rest of the games is that its wheel features 37 pockets. The reason why is that there is only one green pocket which is marked with zero. The rest of the slots on the wheel have numbers from 1 through 36. The way the numbers are positioned in this version is also different in comparison to American roulette.
In European roulette, you can see that the numbers on the wheel are equally separated into two colours – there are 18 black and 18 red slots. The same goes for odd and even numbers as they also alternate in a similar way – a pair of even numbers is positioned next to a pair of odd ones. Even though at first glance the number are arranged in a random manner, they actually follow a unique pattern. While sitting on a roulette table, you might hear players saying that they will place a bet on high or low numbers. These numbers are the ones that are respectively from 19 through 36 and from 1 through 18.
The fact that European roulette features only one zero pocket greatly influences your odds of winning. This version offers a house edge of 2.70% for all bets which makes it much more beneficial than American roulette. In this variation, you are given the chance to place the so-called call bets – Orphelins, Tiers du Cylindre and Voisins du Zero. They are put on a special racetrack and in order to take advantage of them, you need to tell the croupier as he/she is the only person who has access to it.
French Roulette
French roulette is a variation which also offers a low house edge – 2.70%, when compared to another well-known variation – American roulette. The objective of the game and the betting options are almost the same as in the classic roulette. However, there are two additional rules that apply in this version – La Partage and En Prison.
According to the former rule, if the ball happens to stop on the zero pocket, the bets that pay even money are split in half. In such cases, you get to keep half of your wager and the other half goes to the casino. If you were to translate the name of this rule from French, you would find out that it means ‘dividing’. It should be noted that it only applies to even-money bets such as odd/even, red/black and high/low bets. This means that if you place any other bet such as straight up and the ball lands on zero, the result will be an entire loss for you.
The other additional rule is called En Prison which basically means ‘in prison’ in French. If you play a variation in which this rule applies, you are given the opportunity to recover your stake, even if the ball lands on the zero pocket. It is only applicable to even-money bets which feature a particular property.
In case that zero is spun during the gaming process, the croupier will put a marker on every even-money bet. This is how the wagers are placed ‘in prison’, however only for the next round. In such cases, if you happen to win, you will get back only your original wager. Bear in mind that if you bump into a game where these two rules apply, the house edge is even lower – around 1.35%.
When it comes to the available betting options, it is possible to choose from three main categories – outside, inside and call bets. What makes this version so interesting is that the names of all bets are written in French, meaning that you won’t be able to find the well-known English words for them. The odd/even bets equal to impair/ pair and high/low ones coincide with passe/ manque.
Red/black bets can be also labelled as Rouge/ Noir and column bets are written as colonne. The dozen bet is written as douzaine and there are three boxes where you can place such wagers. They are marked as P12, M12, and D12 as they mean respectively premiere, moyenne and derniere douzaine. The payout for all dozen bets as well as for column ones is 2 to 1, whereas the payout for red/black, impair/pair and manque/passe is 1 to 1.
Mini Roulette
Mini roulette is another very popular variation of roulette which is extremely entertaining and fun to play. What sets this version apart from the rest of the widespread variations is that its wheel is much smaller. It only features 13 pockets – 6 black, 6 red and 1 zero slot. Another distinguishable feature of this game is that it offers a fairly limited betting options. Usually, you can place straight up, split, corner, odd/even, street, column, black bets but in some casinos, there are other available wagers as well.
This makes the game even simpler which is great news for inexperienced players. However, bear in mind that the lower the number of pockets on the wheel, the higher the chances of the ball landing on the zero slot. This aspect works entirely in favour of the casinos and as a result, the house edge is even higher than the one in American roulette – 7.69%.
If you want to have a decent chance of making a profit, perhaps this variation is not your best choice. It is worth mentioning that in some games, there is a special feature which allows you to take back half of your bet when the ball lands on zero. In such cases, the house edge is much lower – 3.85% which is the reason why you should search for the games that have it.
Roulette Strategy
Even though roulette is regarded as a game of chance whose outcome cannot be predicted in any way, you can apply a strategy for your bets and money and this way, turn a profit. Many proficient players have managed to make a profit by using a betting system. Throughout the years, a number of betting systems have emerged which can be easily found on the Internet today. All of them suggest a plan according to which you can place your bets. This way, you can enjoy the whole gaming process even more as there is no need to wonder every time what amount you should wager next.
There are two types of betting systems – negative and positive progression systems. Negative progression systems are considered to be more risky due to the fact that they require you to increase your bets when losing. Positive progression systems work exactly the opposite way – they call for decreasing your wagers when winning. There are various betting systems but some of the most popular ones are Parlay, Labouchere, Martingale, Fibonacci, Paroli and others.
In order to manage to make a profit and most importantly, retain it until you leave the roulette table, you also need a money management strategy. It is best to determine beforehand the amount that is acceptable to lose during a particular session. This way, you will be aware of your available funds and the chances of overspending are much lower. Also, make sure to join a game whose set table limits are in accordance with your current bankroll. Bear in mind that the minimum betting limit is the amount which you will be required to place every time in order to be a part of the game.
In order to prevent yourself from overspending and to manage to retain some of your winnings, it is essential to establish in advance your loss and win limit. It is really important to set a realistic goal which you can easily achieve and to stick to your limits throughout the game. Therefore, discipline also plays a crucial role as without this quality, you most likely won’t be able to withdraw from the game on time. In general, it is recommended to simply enjoy the game and at the same time, try different strategies that can help you decrease your losses. Even though not all of them will work for you every time, they can further enhance your gambling experience.
Playing in a Land-based Casino
If you are a roulette fan, you probably know that the game can be easily found in a number of land-based casinos. Besides the classic game, most of the brick and mortar casinos also offer some of its most popular variations such as American, European and French roulette. In most cases, the rules and the game play are the same, regardless of whether you play the game at a land-based or a web-based casino.
When you play at a brick and mortar casino, you have the chance to enjoy the sophisticated ambience and in most cases, the elaborate design of the respective casino. You can observe how other players are playing on the roulette table and this way, refresh your memory regarding the rules of the game. It is also possible to ask the croupier for assistance if you have any questions or inquiries.
Land-based casinos are also great places to make new friends or meet old ones. As we know, everything is better when shared, so in order to get a maximum level of entertainment from playing roulette, you should play with friends. The social aspect is one of the reasons why many players still head to the brick and mortar casinos. However, it should be noted that today many online casinos offer live dealer games in which you can communicate with both the croupier and the rest of the players on the virtual table by using the live chat feature.
Playtech Roulette
One of the software providers which has developed many roulette variations is Playtech. Thanks to this software supplier, you have the chance to play this game at the comfort of your home. There is no need to go through the hassle of going to a brick and mortar casino any more in order to enjoy roulette. You can simply enjoy the classic game as well as some of the most popular versions on your laptop, smartphone or even tablet.
Some of the available variations which you can find in many online casinos, thanks to Playtech, are American, French, European, Premium roulette series and others. Premium roulette offers players the chance to completely immerse in the game thanks to the realistic graphics and authentic sound effects it features. It is also possible to adjust the colour of the betting grid and even the camera angle and this way, make the game suitable for your personal preferences.
Microgaming Roulette
Microgaming is another world-class software provider thanks to which you can enjoy a broad selection of unique roulette games. The company has proven to provide high-quality games that impress with their diversity and spectacular animations. When it comes to roulette, this software supplier is most famous for its Gold Roulette Series which feature exceptionally realistic graphics and great sound effects. Most Microgaming-powered online casinos offer European, American, French and Multi-Wheel Roulette which you can play at the most convenient time and place for you.
Thanks to this software supplier, you can win big while playing roulette without having to go all the way to a brick and mortar casino. The company has developed one of the most popular progressive jackpot games – Roulette Royal which gives you the chance to win generous prizes in a number of ways. It is also possible to try this variation in Expert Mode which will further increase the high level of excitement and entertainment you will get from playing it.
Roulette Terms
Just like in every popular casino game, in roulette there are also some terms which it is best to get familiar with beforehand in order to understand the gaming process with ease. For instance, double zero wheel is the wheel that contains two zero pockets, one that has a single zero and one that has two zeros. This type of wheel can be usually found in variations such as American roulette. The house edge is the term which is used to indicate the built-in advantage all casinos have.
Depending on the casino of your choice, while playing roulette, it is possible to hear cheval which is the French word for split bet. Carre translates into corner bet which is an inside bet that pays 8 to 1 in most variations. The French term for a straight up bet is En Plein. Transversale equals to the French word that refers to a street bet. Pockets are called the areas on the roulette wheel on which the ball can land. Each pocket corresponds to a unique number which varies, depending on the version you are playing.
FAQ
This largely depends on the online casino of your choice but in most cases, you are given the opportunity to enjoy roulette in either practice mode or real money mode. The former option enables you to find the game that suits your personal preferences best without risking your own funds.
In general, most betting systems can be efficient, however only over short periods of time. Statistically speaking, in the long term, you are always bound to lose more than you win. If you want to try a betting system, it is recommended to first start off by using a positive progression one such as the Parlay betting system as these types of systems are considered not that risky.
If you are new to roulette, then it is probably best to start off by playing European roulette first. The reason why is that in this variation, your betting options are much simpler and the payouts that are offered are decent. Also, it is a good idea to start off by placing outside bets first such as odd/even or red/black as they give you the chance to make a small profit in the long term.
Whether it is legal or not to play roulette or any other casino game, entirely depends on your country of residence and the online casino of your choice. There is no universal gambling law that applies to all countries as each one has its own regulations and policies when it comes to online gambling.
For instance, the UK is a good example of a country in which online gambling is permitted. In fact, this type of gambling activity has become a major source of entertainment for many people as all online casinos that operate on this territory are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and other regulatory bodies.
