Variations of Roulette

One of the most popular casino games, Roulette offers a fantastic way for online players to relax. However, there are several types of online roulette, and it pays to know their particulars in order to choose which one to play and how to play it. Below are descriptions of the types of roulette, some of the best online versions of these games, and recommendations for the best places to play them. We also have some free roulette games that you can play from our site.

Basics Variations of Roulette

Anyone can play Roulette. The basic idea is that players place a bet on where a spun ball will land on the Roulette wheel. They can bet on a specific number, a group of numbers, or all numbers of a certain color. Once the bets are placed, the dealer spins a small ball along the outside of the already spinning roulette wheel. The ball rolls along a track outside the wheel, in the opposite direction of the wheel, until it slows down enough to fall off the track and onto the wheel, which contains either 37 or 38 numbered slots. Once the ball has landed on the wheel, the dealer pays bets that correspond to where the ball landed, and collects all losing bets for the house.

American and European Roulette diverged as they developed on both sides of the Atlantic. American Roulette uses a wheel with a 0 and 00, while European Roulette uses only a single 0. Obviously, this affects the odds, which are 1 in 37 slots (0 and 1-36), or 2.70% for the European version. In the American game, the odds of hitting your slot are slightly harder, at 1 in 38 slots (0, 00 and 1-36), or a 2.63% chance.

Once the table is clear, players may bet again and the process starts over.

With the international expansion of Roulette, variations in the game and strategies to reduce the house edge have come to light. The most significant variations occur in the Roulette wheel itself and are as follows:

American Roulette

The most common variation of the game is the American Roulette wheel, which has both a single zero slot and a double zero slot. As mentioned earlier, the presence of not one, but two extra pockets for the ball to fall into means that the house has a better chance of winning. The typical house edge in American Roulette is approximately 5.26%.

If American Roulette is your favorite, play it at Spin Palace. This online casino, which offers more than 400 different games in addition to its signature American Roulette, has a C$1600 welcome bonus. If you're in need of an American Roulette table, or if more than 400 games appeal to you, that's reason enough to head over to Spin Palace.

European Roulette

European Roulette is very similar to American Roulette, with one notable exception: there is no double zero slot in European Roulette. This absence of a double zero translates into a significant difference in the house advantage - one that benefits you much more than it benefits the house. The typical house edge in European Roulette is 2.63%. In other words, for every $100 you wager on European Roulette, the house expects to make only $2.63.

Royal Vegas is known for having a great European roulette. We recommend you go ahead and try it.

French Roulette

The classic game of French Roulette has better odds and a lower house edge than its American counterpart. One reason is that French Roulette has only one zero. For a player betting on a number that isn't zero, the payoff is a healthy 35 to 1. But what gives French Roulette an even bigger edge, at least as far as the house is concerned, is a rule called La Partage. Although a player is on the losing end if the ball lands on zero, the player only loses half of the even money bet.

Because of its similarity to European roulette, Royal Vegas is also our recommendation here.

Recommended Roulette Games

To help you get started with Roulette, we have suggested a few variations of the game below. They are offered by industry veterans Microgaming and Playtech, who have been in the online casino business since before the turn of the millennium (founded in 1994 and 1999 respectively) and are still two of the leading software providers in the industry. They won't fail to keep you entertained.

Premier Roulette (Microgaming) European Roulette inspired Premier Roulette, one of the most lifelike games you can play. With several features and settings - from a 3D wheel to video zoom to a game speed setting - this game offers an impressive amount of realism. Premier Roulette also has a strong mobile version that's available for both Android and iPhone users, though Blackberries and some other devices experience limited graphics. But that's not a situation that Premier Roulette's mobile version shares with its desktop counterpart.

Gold Series (Microgaming): With a clean design and great sound effects, Roulette Gold Series offers American, European and French Roulette. Place your bet, click the spin button, watch the ball roll and wait for the results.

3D Roulette (Playtech) A thrilling, real 3D casino ambience can be found in this table game. It features superb visuals, a rich variety of extras and plenty of choices for you to customize the gaming experience.

Playtech's Premier European Roulette is a classic table game that combines the wheel and table in a European Roulette format. Players will enjoy dynamic features, customizable settings and enhanced betting and payout options. Premier European Roulette allows players to immerse themselves in the Roulette experience.

Mini Roulette (Playtech): Mini Roulette is a game designed exclusively for online play. Its game play is similar to the more traditional roulette games, but it features different odds. The wheel is much smaller, with only thirteen slots, including a single zero. As in French Roulette, the zero pays fifty percent. The big difference, however, is that players have a much better chance of hitting a specific number (if they choose to bet that way).

Conclusion

Players who wish to bet on the Roulette wheel have a number of options. It is important to know which variation of the game you enjoy and which online version is the most rewarding, and you can only gain this knowledge with experience. We urge you to play our free roulette games and read our online casino reviews to get a better sense of where to find the best versions of roulette and what might serve you best.

Consult the following list to find the best casinos at which to play roulette before you start playing: