Online Roulette Guide

The game is even more accessible and user-friendly. You can enjoy it instantly from home on your computer or in your summer house via your mobile or tablet. It is hard to say no to online roulette – especially since payments are fast and safe. Besides, if you have any questions, you can always to talk to live support.

How to play Roulette

To get started playing roulette online simply do the following:

• Find a casino that offers roulette games
• Sign up at the casino
• Claim any casino bonuses
• Make a deposit
• Start Playing

How to play roulette at an online casino

The objective in roulette is to predict where the ball will end up in the wheel. Depending on the number, number sequence, color or even/odd number, the house will pay you different amounts. So-called inside bets (i.e. specific number(s)) are riskier bets with higher payouts, whereas outside bets are more likely to win but with smaller payouts.

Inside bets

• Straight number: If you bet on a single number your payout will be the highest possible – 35 to 1.
• Split bet: If you place your bets between numbers – a split bet – and win, your payout is 17 to 1.
• Street bet: By placing your bet along a row – ‘a street’ – of three numbers to include all these numbers, your payout is 11 to 1.
• Corner: If you place your bet on the intersection of four numbers (the corner), you are getting 8 to 1 to split your bet between all four numbers.
• Six line: Betting on six numbers through a ‘six-line’ means you put your chip on two adjoining streets. This is the same as betting on two streets and pays 5 to 1.

Outside bets

• Colour: Pick your colour of the numbers displayed on the wheel – red or black. Payout: 1 to 1.
• Even/odd: If you bet on an even or odd number between 0-36 you get paid 1 to 1.
• Column: A column represents one-third of all available numbers. If the ball lands on one of your column sections you get 2 to 1 on your money.
• Dozen: If you bet on groupings of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24 or 25-36) – dozens –you get 2 to 1.

5 Tips for Playing Roulette Online

At South Africa Casinos Online we are always trying to help tip the odds in your favour. So here are our top 5 tips for playing roulette online.

• Stick to your bankroll
• Check which game has the best odds
• Read a strategy guide
• Pick a roulette game you enjoy
• Only play at trusted & recommended casino sites

What are the differences when playing American or French roulette?

Roulette is a much-loved casino game played in casinos all across the world. Its long history has led to the development of three main variations of this popular game: namely European, American and French roulette. In this article, we will focus on the similarities and differences between two of these variants: French and American roulette. We’ll also attempt to answer the age-old question of which one is the better game out of the two.

Layouts

One of the biggest differences and perhaps the most obvious is in the layout of the roulette wheel. The French version of roulette uses the European wheel, which has 37 pockets, whilst the American version has 38. Pockets are the indents in the wheel where the ball can land. The American version has an extra green zero so there is both a ‘0’ and ’00’ pocket. The French only has one ‘0’ pocket. As we shall see, the addition of an extra zero has ramifications both for the game and the winning chances.

Otherwise, both versions have 18 red and 18 black pockets. In both cases, the odd and even numbers and the red and black pockets follow an alternating distribution. However the order of the numbers on the wheel is different in each version. The betting table layouts also differ mainly in the position of the outside bets (red/black, odds/evens etc.) and of course those green pocket bets. French roulette allows some additional ‘called’ bets – more on those later – and gain the French betting table layout accommodates these usually via a racetrack. Aside from this, everything is pretty much identical.

House Edge

The additional zero pocket in American roulette makes its presence felt in terms of house edge, when players can really start to feel its effects. This is because that additional pocket tips the edge even further in favour of the house. In the French version of roulette, the house edge is 2.70%, however, this goes up to almost double at 5.26% in the American version of the game. This factor can be a deal-breaker for some players, since French roulette gives them a better chance of winning with that lower house edge.

It is also easy to assume that when playing roulette you have a 50:50 chance of winning, but this is not exactly the case. Those green zero pockets are what ultimately tip the scales towards the house and sets the two roulette versions apart. What this means is that you can expect an average payout of 94.7% when playing the American version with its 0 and 00 pockets. But you’re looking at a somewhat increased average payout of 97.3% when playing the French version – all thanks to it having one less green zero pocket.

Rules

Although the games play in pretty much the same way, there are a few different rules that apply to individual variants that can raise or lower your risk accordingly. For example, when playing the French version of roulette, you can invoke the En Prison rule. This allows you to have a re-spin should the ball land on 0 if you’ve placed an even money bet. Taking advantage of this rule can see the house edge lowered to as little as 1.35%. This is not at all bad when compared to the usual edge that the house holds.

When playing French roulette you can also make call bets. These are complex bets known as Voisins du Zero, Orphelins, Tiers du Cylindre etc, which you call out once the wheel has started spinning. When playing online, this is only possible when playing Live French Roulette games, but of course it’s an integral part of the game when playing in a land-based casino. In American roulette, it is permitted to place what is called a five number bet. This bet is quite risky, however, raising the house edge to almost 8%, so do be careful.

What are the odds of winning roulette online?

Your odds and winning chances are dependent on the roulette type you choose. While European Roulette and French Roulette have the same basic rules, you are favoured by the added feature ‘La Partage’ in French Roulette. You also know that American Roulette has an additional zero on the wheel, which means a greater disadvantage for you as a player. Two green zeros will simply make it more difficult for you to win on even/odd number or colour bets since the house will rake in the money if the ball lands on any of these green spots.

Keep in mind that you will always have a greater chance of winning on bets where the odds are low. For example, you will win more often on even/odd, high/low or black/red (outside bets) than if you are making a dozen or corner bet. To win on a straight number is a magical feeling, but don’t count on it to happen too often.

Statistically, you are expected to hit your lucky number 1:37 times if you are playing European Roulette. Even if you hang on to your number until the 37th spin, in practice you might have to wait even longer. This can certainly be very costly if the luck is not going your way.

There is no mathematical system to outsmart roulette – neither short term nor in the long run. On the other hand, you can control and shift your betting choices for your own good in order to avoid losing money too quickly. For example, you might start off with smaller amounts on the outside bets with even money payouts. If you were to pick up some winnings you could then continue with the same stakes but make a few inside bets and see if you can get lucky with some higher payouts.

How to play Live Roulette

At its inception, Roulette could only be played at land based casinos. However, the game is now available in many online casinos. One popular type of the game available at online casinos is the Live dealer roulette.

To get started all you need to do is find a casino which offers live casino gaming. Then simply head on over and choose your live roulette game and start playing.

Note: Live casino games can only be played for real money, there are no free play options available.

Live casino games vs table games