Roulette
There is bound to be a crowded Roulette wheel at the centre of fast-paced casino excitement. Whether you’ve actually played the game of Roulette or not, thanks to popular culture you probably already know that everything hinges on which number compartment the little silver ball will drop. Black or red, odd or even bets, ‘place your bets’ and ‘no more bets’ – all this lingo and more comes directly from the game of Roulette. Below we expose origins of the game, objectives and offer a round for round rundown of how Roulette works. Additionally, we deconstruct the many Roulette bets, explain the differences between American and European Roulette and provide you with a jam packed glossary of must-know Roulette terminology. By then you’ll be ready to spin the wheel yourself and we let you in on the best places to play Roulette online.
Roulette – Roots, Trivia and Myth
Yet again we have the French to thank or curse for another high profile, hugely popular casino game. The inception of Roulette – meaning small wheel, goes back to 18th century France. Speculation (which seems of little consequence now) exists as to whether the true origins of the game lie in China or Rome, or if the game dates back to the Roman Empire.
The Roulette game as we know it was devised by the Blanc brothers, Louis and Francois in 1842. Interesting trivia and myth surround Louis Blanc as according to legend, he is said to have sold his soul to the devil to be granted the secret to the Roulette game. It’s fair to assume that since Louis was a co-creator of the Roulette game as we know it, he would have been well informed of complex game strategy and in fact would have played a part in establishing at least the basics where Roulette strategy is concerned. Whether this exchange with devil actually occurred is again of little consequence but convenient in perpetuating game mythology, especially since the collective total of the numbers on a Roulette wheel is 666.
Despite the genius of the Blanc brothers and Louis’ supposed dealings with the devil, gambling was illegal at the time in France and the game had to seek refuge elsewhere on the continent. Germany acted as a safe haven for the Roulette game for a stint before gambling was also outlawed there, from whence it made its way to Monaco on direct order of the Prince, and gained momentum there from.
Roulette in its current form is broken up into two main variations: European Roulette and American Roulette. The American wheel has 38 numbers and is known as the ‘00’ version, while the European wheel – the original Roulette wheel – has 37 numbers and is known as the ‘0’ version. Differences of the two versions will be discussed in more detail within, read on…..
Roulette: Guide to Roulette Rounds, Game Objectives and Betting Combinations
For the apprentice, to play Roulette may initially be daunting. The wheel in combination with a table and the possibility of simultaneous bets may well be intimidating to first time players and novices. What is paramount to point out at this early stage is that the game of Roulette, whether played at land casinos or online Roulette, is one of the simplest casino games around.
In both variations of Roulette - the American and the European - the primary objective of the game is to predict where the ball will drop. So not only can you bet on the exact number the ball will land on, but you can wager as to whether the number will be odd or even, black or red in colour, an inside or an outside bet, the proximity of the winning bet to the number you picked and so on.
Your Best Bet: Divide and Conquer – Deconstructing Roulette Bets
To understand the various betting options available to the player, deconstruction thereof including pay out odds and probability is encompassed in the chart below:
Bet Type | Description | Payout | Probability European | Probability US |
---|---|---|---|---|
Straight Up | A bet on any single number including zero placed simply by clicking on the number. | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.63% |
Split Aka two number combination | A bet on adjacent numbers placed by clicking cursor between the two numbers. Maximum bet for this wager is the Straight up bet maximum, multiplied by two. | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.26% |
Street | Bet on a row of 3 consecutive numbers. Bets are placed at the start of the line by clicking cursor, or street, or zero 2 and 3. | 11:1 | 8.1% | 10.53% |
Corner Aka Four Number Combination | Bet on a group of 4 numbers in the corner where they meet. Place bet by clicking cursor on corner where 4 numbers meet. Can also be placed on 0, 1, 2 and 3 in European Roulette | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.53% |
Four European Roulette Only | Bet placed on 0, 1, 2 and 3 by clicking cursor on the boundary line where the line between 0 and the first row intersects. | 8:1 | 10.53% | N/A |
Five US Roulette Only | A bet on 0,00, 1, 2, 3 placed at the corner of zero and 1 | 6:1 | N/A | 13.16% |
Line Aka 6 number combination | A bet on 6 numbers in total, i.e. two rows of 3, placed at the end of two rows between two numbers | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.79% |
Column | At one end of the set of 37 numbers are boxes labeled '2 to 1'. Each box is part of a column of numbers if you extend a line up the body of the inside of the betting area. Click on boxes labeled ‘2 to 1’ to place a bet. | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.58% |
Dozen | Similar to the columns, bet on either the first dozen numbers (1-12), the second dozen (13-24), or the third dozen (25-36). Place bets in areas labeled 1st 12, 2nd 12, and 3rd 12. | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.58% |
Low Numbers 1-18 | Bets ranging from 1 to 18. Place bets in the clearly marked 1-18 box. | Even Money 1-1 | 48.6% | 46.37% |
High Numbers 19-36 | Bets ranging from 19-36. Place bets by clicking on the clearly marked 19-36 box. | Even Money 1-1 | 48.6% | 46.37% |
Red or Black | Bet that the winning number will be either red or black. Place this bet in the areas filled with colours black or red at the front of the table | Even Money 1-1 | 48.6% | 46.37% |
Odds or Evens | Betting on the probability that the winning number will be either an odd or even number by clicking appropriate box. | Even Money 1-1 | 48.6% | 46.37% |
Looking at the Roulette table above, we can ascertain which bets the player has placed and familiarize ourselves with what these bets. All 8 bets have been placed on a single Roulette round.
- Firstly, our player has bet on red evens (both even money bets)
- Has bet on low numbers – 1-18 (an even money bet)
- Has placed a 2:1 column bet on column 1 through to 34
- Has wagered a street bet on 7, 8 and 9 which could potentially pay 11:1
- Made a line bet between 13 and 16 which potentially pays 5:1
- Placed a split bet on two adjacent numbers – 19 and 22 - potentially paying 17:1
- Has placed a corner bet on a group of 4 numbers where they meet (i.e 23, 24, 26 and 27) which could pay out 8:1 and
- A straight up bet on the number 14, potentially paying 35:1
Now that we have established how to bet and what to bet on, let’s deconstruct the object of the Roulette game. So we know we can bet on the ball landing in a compartment of the Roulette wheel and landing on a particular number. From the appearance of the wheel, we know that the colour of the numbers alternates between black and red and we can bet on the probability of the winning number being either black or red.
We can also bet that the ball will land in the green pocket – a wager which attracts much higher payouts. Other characteristics of that particular number are also wager worthy. Is it a low number? Is it a high number? Does this particular number fall into the first, second or third column on the Roulette table, is it an odd or even number. All factors are variable, bettable and bankable.
In addition to what we already know about Roulette bets, each bet can be further separated into the categories of inside and outside bets.
Inside bets are defined by their internal location on the layout of the Roulette table. Conversely, outside bets are placed around the outside of the table and they are collectively known as outside bets.
Inside Bets:
Your collective bet (all of your bets added together) must total the table minimum. In short, let’s say you are playing at a $10 minimum table and you bet on single numbers, you can bet $1 on 10 individual numbers or $10 on one number or any combination in between as long as it adds up to the $10 minimum.
Outside Bets:
Each and every one must be at least equal to the table minimum and stands on its own. So if you want to bet on red evens, you must place separate $10 bets on both red and even. You can not combine the two and outside bets can not be counted toward your inside bet total.
To play Roulette at a land based casino differs from online Roulette. Rounds of casino Roulette start with the dealer verbally prompting punters to "place your bets". Online casinos use a graphic interface to display the Roulette wheel and table and how the round transpires. Online casino winnings are calculated more expediently, so play at a faster pace if you so wish it.
At an online casino, you place bets by clicking on the chip denomination you wish to wager and then clicking on the area of the Roulette table you wish to place a bet on. This you would do manually at a land casino for outside bets, and for inside bets you would ask the dealer to place bets in the amount you wish to wager in your stead. Once the dealer spins the ball he will notoriously state "No more bets".
When you play Roulette online, you click the spin button at which time the ball drops into the wheel. In casinos the dealer manually spins the ball. When the ball comes to rest, the dealer places a marker on the winning insider bet, clears the board and pays out all winning bets manually. With online Roulette, the software takes care of all of this.
There are Advantages to playing online Roulette. Elimination the dealer/player exchange saves you the brainwork of paying attention to the dealer’s moves. The software does not allow you to under bet on inside bets and for those just starting out, is ideal in eliminating embarrassing situations brought about by the potential moves of an unskilled player.
Plus you can test your strategies with online Roulette without putting a dent into your bankroll. Online software facilitates learning through strict adherence to the rules and practice mode is opportune for beginners and a necessary precursor to playing for real money. Move your cursor over numbers on the Roulette table and as they light up, this indicates the numbers affected by a potential bet. The name and explanation of the bet type also appears in text at the bottom of your screen for further clarification of betting options and combinations.
Popular Variations of Roulette – Guide to Differences, Exceptions and Pay Outs
The two most popular and readily played variations of Roulette are American Roulette and European Roulette.
Noteworthy is the fact that European Roulette is a game with a lower house edge – 2.7% - as opposed to that of American Roulette – 5.3%. To optimize your winnings strategically would be simply to stick to European Roulette and capitalise on the lesser house edge.
A side by side comparison best illustrates the differences between American Roulette and European Roulette
- American Roulette Wheel
- European Roulette Wheel
Both Roulette wheels are clearly marked with numbers 1 through to 36. The American Roulette Wheel is marked with both 0 and 00, while the European Roulette has only one 0.
The numbers are alternately coloured red and black, and the ‘0’ and ‘00’ (American Roulette only) are green.
The Roulette layout is divided into different sections - individual numbers and group bets. Bets made on individual or neighbouring numbers or small groups of numbers are referred to as inside bets whilst the bets covering groups of 12 or 18 numbers (e.g. red, odd, etc.) are known as outside bets.
Roulette Strategy: Safe Bets, Probabilities and Chance
Strategy 1: Minimize House Edge
For the Roulette apprentice, this is one to live by. It is paramount to remember the game is primarily one of chance. By sticking to safe bets, i.e. ones in which the house edge is kept to a minimum and probabilities for winning are high, your losses should be kept in check.
Strategy 2: The Red/Black Bet
This strategy is simple to adhere to as there’s not much to remember. We know that the colours of Roulette wheels alternate between black and red and therefore, each colour has a 50/50 chance of success. Should the player accurately predict the colour of every second spin, they would break even.
Employ the following. Select a colour and place a wager. Should the colour win, proceed to take your winnings minus the original wager amount, which will remain for the next spin. Steadily increase your wager amount if your bankroll allows. Following a loss, double your wager amount. If these bet fails, take the loss and start over again. The rule here is to simply take the winnings and leave your original wager.
Each color has the same odds of success so changing colours will not increase your chances of winning. Note that this system is also applicable where Odd/Even bets and High/Low bets are concerned.
Strategy 3: ‘Power of 5’ System
This strategy focuses solely on straight-up inside bets where winning payouts are 35:1 Bets are placed on 5 individual inside numbers including 0 and 00, depending on the version you are playing.
Pick any five numbers whether they are random or of significance as all have the same odds of winning. In Games with $5 minimum bets you can purchase forty $1 chips. Restrict yourself to small wagers where your losses won’t wipe you out. If you win at bet is no more than $5 and buy forty $1 chips ($40). If you limit yourself to relatively small stakes you can’t get badly hurt. This strategy was tried and tested at EuroGrand Casino making 5 separate inside bets of $5 each. It worked and garnered 3 payouts of 35:1 in 7 spins. Not too shabby, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Start by placing one $5 chip on each of your five chosen numbers. Keep going until the ball comes to rest on one of your numbers. It will pay 35:1. Divide your winnings over your 5 chosen numbers, i.e. 7 chips on each number. In which case the ball comes to rest on one of them again, you win 35 times the $35 wager leaving you in possession of a substantial bankroll for further play.
Roulette Terminology – Get Ahead in the Online Roulette Game with a Glossary of Terms for Play
Zero
A bet on the 0 number (coloured green) on the wheel.
Double Zero
A bet on the 00 number (coloured green) of the wheel and only found on American Roulette wheels.
Block Betting
Set of numbers grouped in one section of the wheel.
Column Bet
A bet on one of the three available columns of 12 numbers.
Corner Bet
One bet on four-numbers, placed at where the four numbers meet.
Dozens Bet
A bet on one of the three available groups of 12 numbers; 1 through 12, 13 through 24, or 25 through 36.
Even Bet
A bet on all even numbers
Odd
A bet on all odd numbers.
Green Numbers
The zero and double zero.
High or Low
A bet on 18 numbers; low - 1 through to 18 or high -19 through to 36.
Inside Bet
Any bet made on numbers directly inside the layout.
Outside Bet
The betting area on the Roulette table bordering the numbers layout. Includes columns, dozens, black-red, odd-even, 1-18, 19-36.
Line Bet
A bet on any six adjoining numbers.
parlay-or-press
To keep winnings from previous bet on top of your current bet.
Red
A bet on all the red numbers.
Run
A series of like results, such as four red or five odd.
Six-line Bet
A six-number bet.
Slots
Compartments on the Roulette wheel which hold the numbers.
Special Line Bet
A bet on the first five numbers; 00, 0, 1, 2 and 3.
Split Bet
A bet on any two adjoining numbers placed between the 2 numbers.
Straight Bet
- A bet on a single number.
Street Bet
A bet on any three numbers in a line.
Online Roulette Reviewed: Quality Places to Spin the Wheel and Play Roulette Online
EuroGrand Casino – Play Roulette like a Pro
Although most players would opt to play European Roulette for the lower house edge as opposed to American, both are on offer and showcased stylishly at this premium online casino.
EuroGrand has one of, if not the most user friendly and helpful software interfaces in the online casino world. Clear black and yellow table graphics are complemented by visual and text box prompts to ensure the player is aware of wagers. Move your cursor over the Roulette table and see that numbers are highlighted to denote inclusion in the round.
Inexperienced Roulette players should profit from the advice and prompts offered; get to know the 11 possible bets and how to put basic strategy into play.
What does it feel like to play Roulette at EuroGrand? Smooth, sophisticated and well - European. It’s high quality all the way.
32Vegas – Streamlined Roulette Rounds for Serious Play
32Vegas is an accessible online casino, free of formality yet comfortable to navigate and truly enjoy. Its relaxed feel takes the edge off and the software is a great platform from which to undertake Roulette play, no matter the size of your bankroll.
Game graphics are sharp as is the black and red colour scheme used for both American and European variations of Roulette on offer.
Aside from the increased house edge in American Roulette, the table position altered in the European variation - both are straightforward and comfortable. Prompts and game explanations are on offer for apprentice Roulette hopefuls and the table is clear and easy to navigate.
If you start to play Roulette at 32Vegas, you might just stay and become an online Roulette know it all.
Prestige Casino – Discover the High Roller in You
Prestige Casino will undoubtedly strike a chord with high end punters. Incorporating elegance to graphics in each and every detail of their online Roulette table and wheel, the effect and feel is unmistakably elite.
The wood grain Roulette table and wheel are inviting and encourage you to part with more of your bankroll – the setting seems to call for it. Not only is the software efficient, it’s presented in a chic and aesthetically attractive format without skimping on player advice or highlighting bet combinations.
American and European Roulette variations are on offer and both tables are equally sophisticated.
If you’re in the mood for refined rounds of online Roulette, play at Prestige.