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Online roulette is an internet version of the classic game of roulette that has been popular among Americans for ages. United States gamblers have a choice as there are different versions to choose from. Once a player has chosen their preferred variant of the game online and made their bet, the roulette wheel is spun. The outcome of a player’s bet will depend on which compartment the ball lands in when the wheel stops spinning.

What is Online Roulette

Online Roulette is the same casino game that is loved by many Americans which is found in land-based casinos. The fundamental difference is that it is played online – so, players can enjoy it from anywhere, anytime. The three main components in the game of online roulette are the board, the wheel and the ball. Together, the board and the wheel are referred to as a Roulette table. Below is a brief guide that unpacks the three components.

image of online roulette table

Roulette Board

The Roulette board is where United States players can place wagers in a game of roulette. Therefore, all possible number outcomes on a Roulette wheel are also indicated on the roulette board. Each number on the board has the same number on the wheel in the corresponding color (red or black). Furthermore, bets can be placed on a combination of different outcomes, like red or black, even or odd and groupings of numbers. Groupings of numbers which are indicated on a roulette board are 1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12, 1 – 18 and 19 – 36. However, this does not necessarily mean that gamblers are restricted to these groupings of numbers – there is usually also the option for players to construct their own grouping of numbers to bet on.

Roulette Wheel and ball

These are the two components which cause the most excitement, anxiety and anticipation in United States gamblers when playing. When the wheel is spinning, every movement of the is ball closely monitored in hopes that it lands on a number betted on. If it does, the player’s bet wins and if it does not the player loses the value of their chips in real money.

History of Roulette

Like some other classic casino games, such as poker and blackjack, Roulette has come a long way. It is amazing that the game is still players with enthusiasm in 2017 after centuries of existence. Below is a brief history of how the game so many Americans have come to love began and developed.

  • Blaise Pascal, a French Physicist, founded the roulette game in 1655.
  • Inventing the roulette game was not his initial intention – building a perpetual motion machine was.
  • Up until 1842 there was no zero on the roulette wheel – Francois and Louis Blanc introduced it. These brothers introduced a single zero to the roulette wheel.In the 1800s the roulette wheel finally came to America and gained the additional double zero pocket by 1886.
  • The roulette wheel with a single and a double zero is what is still known as the American Roulette wheel.
  • With the launch of online casinos in the mid-1990s, online roulette was established.
  • Since then, online roulette has been growing in popularity in the USA and worldwide.
image of history of online roulette

Types of Roulette

Throughout the development of the roulette game there have been changes which led to the formation of different versions of the game. The three main versions of roulette are American Roulette, European Roulette and French Roulette.

American Roulette

When comparing the main types of roulette at face value, the most obvious difference is that the American roulette wheel has an extra pocket with a double zero. This might seem somewhat unimportant at first, but the extra pocket makes a big difference. The additional pocket decreases gamblers’ chances of winning with a house edge of 5.25%.

image of American roulette table

European Roulette

The European version of Roulette has 37 numbers on the roulette wheel, including a single zero. Outside of the United States this is mostly regarded as the standard version of roulette. Many gamblers and gambling experts regard European roulette as the simplest version among the main types.

French Roulette

French roulette is very similar to European roulette. However, there are some slight differences with big effects on gameplay. Like the European version, French roulette has no double zero pocket – only the single zero.

In addition to the writing on a French roulette board being in the French language, there are also two rules called “La Partage” and “En Prison”. Both these rules work in the benefit of players.

The La Partage Rule

The La Partage rule lowers the house edge to 1.3%. This rule benefits players with wagers on even money bets (wagers on black/red, high/low or even/odd). This means that if the ball lands in the green pocket, players will receive half of the amount they wagered back, instead of losing it.

The En Prison Rule

The En Prison rules is a type of the La Partage rule. This rule is not available on all French roulette games, so the onus is on the player to check beforehand. If players do not want to use this rule, they can just stick to La Partage. The En Prison rule gives gamblers an opportunity to give their bet another go when the ball lands on the zero. This is a second chance to the player, but they cannot change their original wager. If the player wins their bet, they win their wager amount back. If the bet is lost, the player forfeits the bet amount.

Gamblers in the United States are not only limited to laying the American roulette version. Internet casinos have European roulette, French roulette and more versions readily available. Below is a table that further unpacks the differences between the main versions of roulette which are available online.

American RouletteEuropean RouletteFrench Roulette
House Edge5.25%2.70%1.35%
ZerosSingle and doubleSingleSingle
Total Pockets on Wheel383737
Black Pockets181818
Red Pockets181818

Online Roulette Conclusion

Playing roulette online is convenient as American gamblers can play from the comfort of their own homes on their computers any time of the day. But playing online does not restrict gamblers to one specific place – mobile casinos offer the online gambling experience wherever, whenever.

All in all, playing roulette online saves valuable time and money but offers the same great experience without distractions and pressure.

Online Roulette FAQs

How can I find a good roulette table on the internet?

In order to find a good game of roulette online, you need to find one of the best online casinos. To find one of the top internet casinos, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. These include legal certification, software provider, banking options, payout percentage, payment speed, casino bonus structure, device support and device support.

While taking all these aspects into careful consideration, you need to go for a casino with a top-rated software provider to ensure a seamless and great online roulette experience. They are the ones who make the games and finding the best will also be an indication of the online casino’s reputation.

The European and French roulette versions offer gamblers better odds of winning, so that is another important thing to look at.

Which is important to know when planning to play roulette online?

There are many different versions of roulette online, so it is always useful to read the rules of the game properly before playing. Knowing the differences between the main types of roulette (American, European and French roulette) also helps as these versions are the most common.

When planning on playing roulette at a real money casino, it is important to take into account all the points mentioned in the above question pertaining to finding a good online casino.

Can I play roulette for free online?

Yes. There are countless free roulette games online in the United States to ensure that fun does not depend on bankroll.

Do strategies work in online roulette?

While a lot of American gamblers find roulette tips useful, there is no strategy that can guarantee a win. Either way, online roulette is a game of chance.

How does an inside bet differ from an outside bet?

Both these bets make reference to the roulette board layout. Inside bets are wagers placed on the number grid which ranges from 1 to 36. Outside bets are wagers placed on the groupings betting section outside of the number grid.

Glossary

Low Bet

Low bets are wagers which are placed on the first eighteen numbers (1 -18).

High Bet

High bets are wagers placed on the last eighteen numbers (19 – 36).

Straight Bet

Straight bets are wagers which are placed on one number only. It is a risky bet, but when players win, they can get the amount of their wager multiplied by 36.

Street Bet

When a wager is placed on three numbers at a time, it is referred to as a street bet.

Dozen Bet

Dozen bets refer outside bets placed on 1 – 12, 13 – 24 and 25 – 36.

Even Money Bet

In this type of bet the winning amount ratio to the betting amount is 1:1. Meaning that even money bets are low bets, high bets, wagers on red, green, evens and odds.

House Edge

House edge refers to the advantage that the house (in other words, the online casino) in the long run. This is indicated in percentages – the higher the percentage, the lower the players’ chances of winning. The house edge for the American roulette game is typically 5,25%, 2,70% for European roulette and 1,35% for French roulette.

Croupier

The operator of a casino roulette table is referred to as a croupier.

Wheel Clocking

Wheel clocking is the act of recording the outcomes of a roulette wheel and looking for patterns.

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