Introduction:
Roulette, with its timeless charm and thrilling gameplay, has spawned several exciting variants over the years. These variants introduce unique twists to the classic game, offering players new experiences and betting opportunities. In this article, we delve into the world of roulette variants, exploring their rules, distinctive features, and strategies that will help you navigate these exciting spin-offs. Get ready to discover the diversity within the roulette family and embark on a new level of excitement.
The most popular roulette variant is undoubtedly American roulette. Played with a wheel of 38 pockets and a double zero pocket, this version of the game pays slightly bigger odds in exchange for the inclusion of the house edge when betting on the single zero pocket. European roulette is the next most popular variant, played with a wheel featuring only a single zero pocket, resulting in better odds for the players.
Further variants of the game fall into two categories: those found in most casinos, such as mini roulette, French and European roulette, and more obscure ones, such as double action roulette, progressive roulette, and multiplayer roulette. By learning the rules and features of each game, you can find the variant that best suits your individual needs. No matter your personal preferences, Roulette has something for everyone.
Roulette Variants:
European Roulette: Classic Elegance
European Roulette is the most common and widely recognized variant of roulette. It features a wheel with 37 numbered pockets, from 0 to 36. The rules and betting options in European Roulette are straightforward, making it an excellent starting point for beginners. The key features of European Roulette include:
- Single Zero: European Roulette has a single green zero (0) pocket, which gives it better odds compared to its American counterpart.
- Standard Betting Options: European Roulette offers various inside and outside bets, such as betting on individual numbers, groups of numbers, colors, odd or even numbers, and more.
- La Partage Rule: Some European Roulette tables apply the “La Partage” rule, where if the ball lands on zero, players who made even-money bets (e.g., red/black, odd/even) receive half of their wager back.
- Low House Edge: European Roulette has a lower house edge compared to other variants, making it popular among players who prefer better odds.
The house edge is equal to 2.7% for both American and European roulette. However, the difference is that in European roulette, the house edge is based only on the single zero pocket. On the other hand, in American Roulette, the house edge is much higher, owing to the additional green pocket, which is a double zero. On an American Roulette wheel, this would be represented by a 00.
You can also make special bets such as a corner bet, a split bet, and a dozen bet. With the corner bet, you can bet on four contiguous numbers which will pay 8 to 1 for each bet. The split bet allows you to bet on two numbers which will pay out 17 to 1 for each bet. Finally, the dozen bet is made on a group of twelve numbers with a payout of 2 to 1.
Outside bets include betting on 1-18 or 19-36, odd or even numbers, red or black, and various column combinations. Moreover, when betting on European Roulette, there is a single zero instead of the double zero wheel found in American roulette. This provides players with better odds and a lower house edge. As a result, you can invest more resources into the game and increase your chances of winning.
The single zero pocket means that there are only 37 stops on the wheel instead of 38, reducing the house edge to 2.7%. This makes it the most attractive roulette game for players as it gives them an approximately 50% chance of winning.
American Roulette: Double Zero Excitement
American Roulette is the version commonly found in casinos across the United States and, in some cases, online. It closely resembles European Roulette but with a few notable differences. The key features of American Roulette include:
- Double Zero: American Roulette adds a second green pocket, marked as 00, alongside the single zero (0). This extra pocket increases the number of possible outcomes and slightly raises the house edge.
- Standard Betting Options: Similar to European Roulette, American Roulette offers a wide range of inside and outside bets, providing players with various wagering possibilities.
- Five-Number Bet: Exclusive to American Roulette, the five-number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. While it offers high payouts, this bet has the highest house edge on the table, so it’s generally not recommended for strategic play.
- Trio Bet: Another unique betting option in American Roulette is the trio bet, which covers the numbers 0, 1, and 2 or 00, 2, and 3, depending on the table layout.
This extra pocket makes it easier to bet on specific ranges of numbers, which can result in larger payouts. The 00 pocket also increases the payouts on any outside bets such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low. However, the house edge on outside bets remains the same, so overall, the American Roulette double zero version gives the house an edge of 5.26%, compared to the single zero which only gives an edge of 2.70%.
Outside bets are placed on the outer part of the table which states all the possible outcomes. These bets have higher odds which means higher payouts though they have a lower probability of winning. The most popular outside bets include color, column, odd/even, dozens, and high/low.
To make a five-number bet, a player places a bet on the line that intersects 0, 1, 2, and the two 0 pockets. Because of the house edge, the expected payoff for this bet is slightly lower than it is for other bet types. This makes five-number bets a risky wager and most players avoid it.
This bet pays out at 11:1, meaning that if you bet $10 and the ball lands on any of the trio numbers, you will win $110 plus a return of your $10 original bet.
French Roulette: Sophistication and En Prison Rule
French Roulette is renowned for its elegance and refined gameplay. It shares many similarities with European Roulette but includes additional features that make it unique. The key features of French Roulette include:
- Single Zero: Like European Roulette, French Roulette has a single zero pocket, providing favorable odds compared to American Roulette.
- La Partage and En Prison Rules: French Roulette offers two advantageous rules. The La Partage rule refunds half of even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. The En Prison rule allows players to keep their even-money bets “in prison” for the next spin, giving them another chance to win.
- Call Bets: French Roulette introduces call bets, known as announced or neighbor bets. These bets cover specific sections of the wheel and require players to announce their intended bet to the dealer.
- Unique Terminology: French Roulette incorporates specific terminology for betting options, such as “Voisins du Zéro” (neighbors of zero) and “Orphelins” (orphans).
To calculate the house edge, the player should first look at the type of bet being made and calculate it from there. Specifically, when playing French Roulette the house edge on outside bets is 1.35%, and for inside bets is 2.7%. Further, it is important to note that French Roulette also offers additional betting opportunities such as Les Orphelins, Tiers du Cylindre, and Voisins du Zero as well as the standard wagers like red and black.
If the player wins on the next spin, they collect their winnings as usual. However, if the ball lands on zero again, the player’s even-money bet is lost. French Roulette players can thus benefit from two generous rules, making this version of Roulette incredibly attractive.
Call bets are marked on the layout of the French roulette table and they include: Voisins du zéro, meaning “neighbors of zero,” includes 17 numbers on either side of zero; Tiers du cylinder, meaning ”thirds of the wheel,” covers 12 numbers including 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33; Orphelins, meaning “orphans,” is a combination of 8 numbers including 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14, 31, and 9. As with other betting options, increased risk also increases the potential payout, though the le tiers du cylinder is considered the most advantageous of the call bets as it has the highest probability of success.
These special bets are based on their specific location on the wheel and specific combinations of chips that the player needs to place on the table. Voisins du Zéro is a nine-piece bet that covers 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, and 17 while Orphelins is an eight-piece bet that covers 8, 10, 11, 13, 6, 36, 23 and 27. The payouts for each of these bets differ from one another.
Mini Roulette: Compact and Fast-Paced
Mini Roulette is a scaled-down version of traditional roulette, designed for players seeking a faster-paced and more casual gaming experience. The key features of Mini Roulette include:
- Small Wheel: Mini Roulette features a smaller wheel with only 13 numbered pockets, including a single zero (0).
- Limited Betting Options: Due to the reduced number of pockets, the betting options in Mini Roulette are simplified. Players can place bets on individual numbers, groups of numbers, or even/odd.
- Higher Odds: With fewer possible outcomes, Mini Roulette offers higher odds compared to its larger counterparts. However, payouts are adjusted accordingly to maintain the house edge.
- Quick Gameplay: The smaller wheel and simplified betting options make Mini Roulette a fast-paced game, perfect for players seeking quick rounds of excitement.
The smaller wheel makes Deco Mini Roulette the perfect game for those looking for a more compact version of traditional Roulette. With a more accessible betting layout, the Deco Mini Roulette game is perfect for beginners. Its highest payout of 12:1 also appeals to those who wish for the best possible returns. The long-term expected RTP is 97.30%, giving players an easily recognizable edge over the house.
They cannot however wager on colors, neighbours, a ‘thirds of the wheel’ system, or five-number combination bets like those featured on the American and traditional roulette versions. As such, the game is ideally reserved for more casual gamers whose primary objective is to stay entertained with less risky and more straightforward bets.
This works to the advantage of players with smaller bankrolls since they will be able to enjoy more rounds of roulette without running out of funds. Additionally, playing Mini Roulette will also benefit players who are more inclined to take more risks with larger payouts even if the odds are lower.
Players can place bets on single numbers, a few outside bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, and Low/High numbers, or a combination of both. When all bets are placed, hit the spin button and watch as the little wheel spins away with the odds of winning up to 11-to-1. This quick and fun game appeals to those looking for an alternative to classic Roulette, who can still enjoy the thrill of beating the house, even on a smaller scale.
Multi-Wheel Roulette: Multiplied Thrills
Multi-wheel roulette adds an element of excitement by allowing players to bet on multiple wheels simultaneously. The key features of Multi-Wheel Roulette include:
- Multiple Wheels: Multi-Wheel Roulette features multiple wheels spinning simultaneously. The number of wheels can vary, depending on the specific game and casino.
- Single Bet Placement: Players place a single bet that applies to all active wheels. The outcome of each wheel is determined independently, offering the potential for multiple wins from a single bet.
- Increased Action: Multi-Wheel Roulette intensifies the gameplay, as players watch multiple wheels spinning and anticipate multiple outcomes.
- Enhanced Betting Strategies: With multiple wheels, players can employ various betting strategies, such as covering different sections of the betting layout or diversifying their bets for higher chances of winning.
Players can bet on specific numbers, groupings of numbers, odd or even, and colors. The wheels differ from each other to provide a random number of different results and winnings. Each spin is independent of one another with players having the same chance of winning or losing on each wheel. Depending on the type of game and amount of wheels, players can make multiple bets for each spin to increase their chances of winning.
If the player loses the bet, they lose only the wagered amount. However, if they win the bet, they multiply their bet by the in-game odds for each wheel, resulting in a potential multi-wheel win. This type of bet placement is especially useful for those who prefer to take a risk and try to maximize their potential winnings.
By increasing the stakes with multiple wheels, players can wager more money, increase their chances of striking a winning combination, and potentially increase their winnings. The multiple wheels also create more spectacular and thrilling gameplay, leaving players with a heightened sense of excitement as they watch multiple numbers come into play.
Furthermore, Multi-Wheel Roulette adds an element of strategy in that players can bet on different combinations of numbers across each wheel. This allows players to diversify their gameplay and spread their risk across multiple occurrences. Players can cover more numbers at once, giving them more chances to hit a winning number and win big. Multi-wheel roulette combines the thrill of an increased number of chances with the potential of higher payouts, making it a thrilling and exciting game for all kinds of players.
Another popular strategy is the Martingale system, which is the most commonly used technique among roulette players. It requires the player to double their wager after each loss so that if they do eventually win, they can recover their losses and receive a small profit. Although this strategy can be successful if used with careful money management, it does carry a significant risk of leaving players with significant losses if the wheel does not provide a winning bet.
Conclusion:
Roulette variants provide an array of exciting options for players seeking diverse gameplay experiences. Whether you prefer the elegance of European Roulette, the extra thrill of American Roulette, the sophistication of French Roulette, the fast-paced action of Mini Roulette, or the multiplied excitement of Multi-Wheel Roulette, each variant offers its unique features and strategies. Take the time to explore these spin-offs, experiment with different betting options, and find the variant that resonates with your style of play. Spin the wheel, embrace the excitement, and discover the endless possibilities of roulette.
Every variant has different betting odds, so it is important to consider your budget and overall level of risk when selecting the variant that works best for you. On top of that, you may want to practice the game of your choice with free online roulette before placing a real money wager. This is the best way to get familiar with the different features and win potential of each variant. Once you feel comfortable and ready to win, then make sure to take advantage of deposit bonuses, loyalty rewards, and other promotions. With the right strategies and attitude, you are sure to relish the iconic casino game of roulette.