Roulette is probably the most famous game when it comes to casinos. A majority of the betting folk can attest to seeing the iconic game even if they have never tried it out. A first glance at the roulette wheel might give an impression that the game is complicated, but taking a keen interest in how to play online roulette proves otherwise. All one has to do is to pick the number where the spinning ball will land on the wheel. Besides, a gambler can also opt for a combo bet, where they choose multiple numbers, the colour where the ball will fall, or whether the number will either be even or odd.
Types of roulette games
Currently, there are several varying types of roulette wheels on offer in casinos. The difference in these variants seems negligible, but they have a significant bearing on the house edge of the game. From a bettor’s point of view, it is advisable to choose the variant which offers the lowest house edge, as it increases the chances of taking home a win. Consequently, it is imperative that gamblers acquaint themselves with the different roulettes on offer as well as their respective house edges. The most common roulette variants are:
- European Roulette
This is the most popular roulette, primarily due to its incredibly low house edge. This gives it the upper hand over its competitors, especially the American roulette. The primary differentiating factor between the European and American variants is that the former, only has a single zero on its wheel. - French Roulette
The French roulette is almost similar to the European version, as they share the same wheel. However, they differ when the balls land on the zero. In the French variant, 50% of the bettors who place bets on even cash become En Prison if the ball stops at zero. From there, the gambler can opt to pull back half their bet or stake it for the following spin.In online casino roulette, this game does not give an option when the ball stops at zero. Instead, the user gets half the stake back. Al the bets have the same house edge as the European roulette, except even money stakes which have a 1.35% rate, the lowest in the industry.
- American Roulette
The American roulette is the closest competitor to the European variant concerning popularity. Its wheel has several zeros, a factor that multiplies its house edge. Hence, it has the highest house edge in the market, rated at 5.26%. Despite the slim chances of winning, a significant portion of the gambling community still favours the American roulette.
Roulette Tips
Maneuvering online roulette for beginners can be a daunting task. Nonetheless, there are some prove strategies that can slightly tweak the odds in your favour, even if you are still green. This includes;
- Avoid Zero at all costs
Regardless of the game you opt for, it is advisable to keep off from zeros. Zeros have a knack for obscuring winnings; hence bettors should go for odd or even, red or black, and high or low stakes, as they significantly raise the chances of winning. - The Martingale system
A subtle way to boost your winnings is doubling down your stakes when you lose. This method, known as the Martingale system, is a slow but efficient way of regaining lost bets. Nevertheless, it is paramount to note that house edge reduces the chances of winning by a whopping 52.6%, so tread lightly when doubling down, as it can end up being an ugly loss, especially if your stake is too low. - Three column betting
This strategy borrows heavily from the Martingale system but gives the gambler a higher chance of winning. Here, bettors stake place equal bets on three different columns, namely 1-12, 13-24 and 25-36. After every unsuccessful spin, the gambler doubles up their stake. - Bond strategy
By employing Machiavellian tactics such as the bond strategy, bettors can considerably reduce the possibilities of losing. Typically, if a bond strategist has £200, they would stake £110 on the high numbers, £10 on zero and the remainder on the first third. This tactic covers 31 out of 37 possibilities; thus increasing the chances of winning by a substantial margin.
The golden rule in gambling is betting with your head, not your heart. Also, there is nothing such as a ‘lucky’ number, since the process is under the control of a computer which randomly assigns the winnings.