About Roulette – How to Play
Roulette holds a unique allure among gambling games, attracting millions of players worldwide each day with its simplicity and potential for considerable payouts. The essence of the game is to choose a lucky number, place your bet, and let the spinning wheel decide your fate. Given the immense popularity of Roulette, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand its history, variations, types of bets, and where to enjoy the game online.
History of Roulette
A Deep Dive into Roulette’s History While the exact origins of Roulette remain unclear, various theories suggest different points of origin. The most accepted belief traces the game’s inception back to 1655, crediting Blaise Pascal with its creation. The game’s existence became more apparent in the 18th century, with clear documentation in French literature, art, and historical reports.
Roulette, initially known as Roly Poly, was a game reserved for the upper echelons of society. The wealthy and socialites would gather at social clubs, casinos, and private residences to indulge in the game. The Blanc brothers, Francois and Louis, revolutionized the game in 1842, developing what we now know as European Roulette. They added new numbers to the wheel and introduced different types of bets, enhancing the game’s appeal.
Today, Roulette’s popularity has led to the development of various game versions, some of which we will examine in this guide.
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Different Types of Roulette Bets
The thrill of playing Roulette online lies in the wide array of betting options available. These options can vary depending on the version of the game you choose.
However, some staple bets you’re likely to come across include:
- Even-Money Bets: Known for their popularity, even-money bets offer almost a 50/50 winning chance. These bets include options like Red or Black, Odds or Even, or 1-18/19-36. Winning an even-money bet results in double your original stake.
- Straight-Up Number Betting: These bets allow you to bet on specific numbers, offering the chance to win more significant amounts. The typical payout for a straight-up number bet on most Roulette tables is 35/1.
- ‘Thirds’ or 2/1 Bets: Offering a slightly higher return than even-money bets, these bets let you wager on one of three columns or rows. If your bet is successful, you’ll earn three times your original stake.
- Tier Bets: These bets cover particular numbers on the Roulette wheel, wagering that the wheel will land on one of the numbers in the chosen section.
- Neighbor Bets: These complex bets require time and understanding to master. You place a bet on one number, which is then shared between that number and its immediate neighbors on the wheel.
The emergence and rise of online bookies have broadened betting opportunities. Game developers continually introduce unique variations, providing an ever-evolving roster of options for players.
Roulette Variations
The evolution of Roulette has led game developers to create numerous spin-offs, with the three most prevalent forms being European, French, and American Roulette.
European Roulette:
- The most common form of roulette globally.
- The roulette wheel has 37 divisions, which include numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero (0).
- House edge stands at approximately 2.7%.
French Roulette:
- Very similar to European Roulette with the same 37 divisions.
- Offers additional betting options like ‘En Prison’ and ‘La Partage’, improving player odds.
- The house edge can be as low as 1.35% when these rules are in effect.
American Roulette:
- Has an additional double zero (00) on the wheel, making it 38 divisions in total.
- The addition of the double zero increases the house edge to approximately 5.26%.
- Despite the higher house edge, it is still widely played, especially in North American casinos.
Other Roulette Variations:
- Mini Roulette: This variation offers a unique twist on the classic game, featuring a smaller wheel with fewer numbers. Despite being seen as a novelty game, Mini Roulette offers a fun alternative and is especially popular among mobile gamers due to its compact design.
- Multi-Wheel Roulette: This rare variation allows players to wager on more than one Roulette game simultaneously, typically across three wheels. While this increases the chances of hitting a winning number, it simultaneously decreases the payouts.
- Progressive Roulette: While not as popular as other variations, Progressive Roulette is steadily gaining traction. As implied by the name, this game features a progressive jackpot. Players opting for the progressive jackpot side bet contribute to a growing money pool, which continues to accumulate until a lucky player hits the necessary combination to claim the jackpot.
Newcomers to online Roulette should start with European or French Roulette, given their straightforward gameplay and fair payouts. While American Roulette is an option, its higher house edge makes it less favorable.
Live Gaming providers, such as Evolution Gaming, offer intriguing twists to traditional roulette by incorporating fun and exhilarating themes. You can explore some of these innovative variations from Evolution Gaming below:
As you venture into the world of online Roulette, you may encounter other unlisted side bets and game variations. If you come across an unfamiliar game, use the ‘demo play’ feature to try it out without risking your hard-earned money.
Choosing the Best Place to Play Roulette Online
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