Beginner players in the online gambling community tend to feel intimidated by various games and activities they haven’t tried before, which is only natural, considering real money is at stake. Table games like blackjack and poker require skill and knowledge to raise your winning potential, but not all classics are this demanding.
In this article, we’ll discuss classic online roulette and why it is considered one of the easiest casino games to get into and enjoy. Most of the gambling community will agree that roulette is the perfect stepping stone for anyone looking to break the ice with traditional games, and we wholeheartedly agree.
Classic Rules and How to Play
To start playing the thrilling game of roulette, you must learn the rules and how everything functions. Luckily, this is a straightforward process that even the most beginner players won’t have any issues following. First, you have to familiarize yourself with the table and wheel layout.
In classic versions of roulette, the wheel comprises either 37 or 38 pockets represented by their corresponding numbers. The pockets are also equally divided into red and black colors, with 0 being the only exception with the green color. Every round begins with the dealer spinning a ball into the rotating wheel while players wait to see where it will land.
Before each round, you will face the table with all the betting options. Roulette’s massive advantage lies in its ability to provide punters with a vast amount of straight-up, even-money, and side bets with various payouts. For example, betting on red/black, even/odd, and high/low pays out 2:1, while betting on a specific number will award you a 35:1 cashout.
You can also place bets on several numbers at once, raising your winning chances for a lesser payout. That’s everything you need to know about roulette to start enjoying it. Of course, you can incorporate many nuances and tips later on, but these won’t affect your initial experience.
Roulette Is Luck Dependent
One of the main reasons novice punters stray away from table games like blackjack and poker is their skill ceiling. Even though these titles are based on luck, like any other casino product, they allow players to significantly improve by practicing over time. This results in inexperienced players feeling at a disadvantage as soon as they start playing, alienating them from the entire genre.
Conversely, roulette doesn’t allow you to increase winning chances through practical strategies and tactics actively. The game is based on luck, allowing everyone to play on the same level with identical probabilities and potentially win. And while plenty of punters appreciate room for personal improvement in games, many prefer playing titles that focus more on the excitement and anticipation factors.
Of course, there are numerous player strategies that you can use in roulette, but none of them provide you with a viable tactic that can consistently raise your winning chances. Systems like Martingale are well-known in the community and allow for solid approaches to the game, but they are far from reliable, let alone loss-proof.
Because of this, playing classic roulette can also serve as a great entry point for other table games. Once you get the hang of things and eliminate irrational anxiety and fear, you’ll be more likely to try other fantastic table games. If you can’t make yourself comfortable while playing, we suggest starting with demo versions that can be easily found throughout the entire.
Live Dealer or Digital?
Before playing, you must decide whether to play roulette digitally or in a live dealer setting. Luckily, you don’t have to base this choice on mechanics, features, and bets since both game versions should function identically. The differences here lie in the presentation and atmosphere, another pivotal factor.
Generally, live casino variants of table games are much more popular than digital counterparts. The focus on immersion is a significant part of their appeal, precisely why variants titles deliver a unique experience. Playing live roulette titles from renowned software developers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution will make you feel as if you were gambling in a land-based casino.
With high-definition live streaming and visually stunning studios, live roulette is an atmospheric journey every punter should experience. The social aspect also plays a massive part in the appeal of real-time table gambling. Each game has a dealer who constantly communicates with players through the chat room.
Players also engage with one another by sharing tips, cheering each other on, or simply talking about their daily lives. Live casino games create a dedicated community of like-minded punters, which is why they have been so popular over the years.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more solitary experience without too many overwhelming audio and visual effects, chances are you’ll have a better time playing a digital version of classic roulette. Remember that numerous virtual iterations are available, so make sure that you conduct thorough research before deciding on the one you will spend your time with.
At the end of the day, this all comes down to your personal preferences and tastes. We recommend trying both roulette types to see which suits you best. There isn’t an objectively better choice here, but it’s evident that the live dealer versions have captured the attention of a much larger player base than their digital counterparts.
European vs. American Version
Whether they play the game in a live dealer setting or a virtual environment, players must learn to differentiate between the two main variations of classic roulette: the American and European versions. Even though these two seem almost identical at first glance, the European version is unanimously considered a better choice for a simple reason.
The roulette wheels at American roulette tables negatively impact players, with a higher house edge. Instead of one, they have two zero pockets, lowering the win probability for even money bets. Even though this may not seem like a massive change initially, the elevated house edge is easily noticeable once you’ve played for some time.
While we recommend that beginner punters and gamblers with tighter budgets play at European tables, the American version also has a distinct advantage that will cater to a specific group of players. Unlike in the European roulette variant, those who prefer placing bets on the green pockets will have double the chance of winning here.
Furthermore, if your online casino offers French roulette tables, we suggest you prioritize playing there instead. French roulette games are structured like standard European titles and have two additional mechanics. The La Partage rule allows even-money bettors to take half their stake back if the ball lands on the zero pocket.
Similarly, the En Prison rule also compensates for color, high/low, and even/odd bets in the case of the relatively uncommon green landing. Here, the initial even-money bets are ‘imprisoned’ and remain on the wheel for the duration of the next round, essentially providing players with a second chance.
What About Modern Roulette Variations?
Once you get the hang of things with classic tables and traditional versions, you may be inclined to experiment with some of the modern variations of roulette released in recent years. With the explosion of live dealer popularity in online casinos, several industry-leading software developers dedicated to innovating and revolutionizing the legendary game.
Studios like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech are famous names that expanded the diverse catalog of roulette variations we can play today. Their takes on the genre vary greatly depending on the specific title. Some releases implement minor quality-of-life changes and additional side bets, while others introduce entirely original mechanics that overhaul the entire structure and rulesets.
Groundbreaking productions like Lightning Roulette, Double Ball Roulette, and Red Door Roulette are some of the most played games in the industry. They’ve quickly managed to topple the popularity of classic tables by providing punters with modern features like bonus rounds, multipliers, and altered structures, creating the ultimate roulette experience while retaining the core systems that gave the game its identity.
And even though many agree that these variations are an obvious choice over standard tables, we still believe that you should start with the original if you are a complete beginner. Make sure to familiarize yourself with all the established rules first, and later you can expand your roulette catalog with modern and unconventional versions.
Conclusion
Once we consider everything, classic roulette is widely regarded as one of the easiest and most accessible table games in the gambling industry, making it a perfect choice for novice players looking to participate in the genre for the first time. Many Canadians also appreciate roulette for its excitement factor that delivers an unparalleled atmosphere to the tables, especially in live dealer settings.
Considering there are no strategies or tactics players could employ to increase their winning chances, like in blackjack or poker, roulette allows all types of punters to have an equal chance of winning large sums of money, regardless of their experience. This, combined with an absurd amount of betting options, results in a gambling experience like no other. Roulette is an all-time cult classic that will continue to dominate the market, and every individual should try playing it at least once.
