Roulette at an Online Casino: An Explanation on Versions of the Game
Roulette is one of the most iconic games in any online casino. Its simple rules and quick outcomes are ideal for players who want to trust their luck and wait for the results.
Most people believe that roulette is purely about luck, which is true. However, you can get better results at an online casino NZ if you select the right version of roulette with beneficial odds and manage your budget properly.
There are several versions of roulette, and each has its own features that affect your chances. A player who knows these differences can choose the most favorable game. This guide explains the basics and compares the European, American, and French variants so you can decide which one’s better for you.
How Roulette Works in General
Roulette has a wheel, a small ball, and a betting table. The wheel contains numbered pockets, and the dealer throws the ball into spun the opposite direction on the wheel until it stops in one of them. If it’s a game at an online casino without a dealer, it uses animation, and the fair RNG generates a random outcome.
The goal of players is to predict which number the ball will fall on. Players can place these types of wagers:
- Inside bets on single numbers or small groups of numbers;
- Outside wagers on larger categories like red or black, odd or even, or dozens;
- Call bets on fixed number sections of the wheel, mainly available in European and French variants.
Inside wagers have higher payouts because they are less likely to win, while outside bets win more often but pay less. Each part of the call type pays out based on standard inside bet payouts. So, every type has fixed payouts that match its probability.
European Version
It has 37 pockets, numbered 0 to 36, with one green zero. This single zero is the main feature that sets it apart from other variants at an online casino.
The wheel arrangement alternates red and black pockets with the single green zero. The house edge is about 2.7%, which means that over the long term, you lose about NZD 2.70 for every NZD100.
American Version
It’s common in many casinos but less favorable for players. It has 38 pockets, numbered 0 to 36 plus an additional green double zero. The double zero significantly changes the odds, as the additional pocket almost doubles the house edge to about 5.26%.
French Version
It has the same wheel as the European variant. The house edge is also 2.7%, but it has two special rules that improve odds for even-money bets:
- La Partage returns half of your wager if the ball lands on zero during an even-money wager.
- En Prison holds your even-money bet for the next spin if zero appears, so if you win the next spin, you get your full stake back.
These rules cut the house edge on even-money bets to about 1.35%, so it’s most favorable at any online casino.
In summary, European Roulette gives better odds than American, and French Roulette gives the best odds for even-money bets. So, choose an option that benefits you more.
