Roulette is one of the oldest gambling games in the world. Its origins are traceable back to France the 1600s, with gamblers of that time playing virtually the exact same game we play today. That Roulette is still much the same centuries later demonstrates just how intriguing a game it is. Though, of course, our ancient forefathers didn’t play Roulette online.
Today, you can jump online and play Roulette within seconds. Plus, you can play with the benefit of rewards, promotions, and Loyalty Points. But are you playing Roulette for fun, or are you playing to win? There isn’t anything wrong with just playing for fun, but you can also apply some strategy, bet smarter, and win away with more cash in your pocket.
Let’s take a closer look at how to get the edge when playing online Roulette.
Rules Of Roulette
Roulette is widely seen as a perfect gambling game. It’s visually appealing, easy to understand, and provides respectable winning odds. But how does it all work?
Roulette is a game of prediction. You’re essentially guessing where the white ball will land, with nothing to go on other than your instincts. The croupier drops the white ball into the spinning wheel, and if you manage to correctly guess which pocket the ball lands in, you get a payout. Of course, given that there are 37 or 38 pockets, guessing isn’t easy. Thankfully, you don’t have to guess the exact pocket to win.
Looking at the betting table, you’ll see that although guessing the exact number is an option, you can make group bets that include many of the numbers. Making group bets is a big part of getting an edge in Roulette. To use the correct phrasing, you must cover as much of the betting table as possible to increase your chances of winning.
Risk Versus Reward
All gambling works on the principle of risk versus reward. Simply put, the more of a risk you take, the bigger the reward you’ll potentially get. Roulette works in exactly this way. If you bet on a single number, you stand to win big. If you spread your bets over many numbers, the lower the payout you stand to win.
However, the magic of Roulette is that you can make multiple bets in a single round. So, although you can cover the table, you can also make a risky bet on a single number. The chances are that your specific bet won’t win, but you’re still likely to land a smaller, less risky bet. Hence, by betting smart, you can cover losses while still shooting for a big payout.
The House Edge
So we now know how to win easily by playing Roulette, right? Not exactly. All casino games have a house edge. The house edge is the percentage by which the house always wins. Casinos must make their money, after all, or how would they stay open?
In Roulette, the house edge is the zero pocket, appearing as 0 on the wheel. You’ll notice that the 0 pocket isn’t in any of the group bets, meaning that you can only win on it if you make a specific bet. In other words, the chances are that when the 0 hits, everyone is going to lose. To be specific, of the 37 pockets on a Roulette wheel, one of those pockets means you’re likely to lose outright.
But this is where it’s time to talk about the differences between an American and a European Roulette wheel. If you don’t already know the differences, pay attention. This is important.
Picking The Right Table
Head to a site like Lucky Creek casino, and you’ll see that there are a few options of a Roulette wheel. Some wheels have just a 0 pocket; others have a 0 pocket and a 00. It is the American version that adds a 00 pocket, meaning that the house edge is effectively double. Does double the house edge mean your chances of winning are reduced? Yes.
The bottom line is that you only want to play the European version of Roulette. The good news is that at Lucky Creek casino you can simply play on a European wheel. Nothing is saying you must choose the American version, so it’s a good thing you understand the difference.
Betting Strategies
Now let’s take a look at a few effective Roulette betting strategies. Remember that even if you use these strategies there is no guarantee you’ll win. However, your chances of winning will go up substantially.
You can cover a large portion of the Roulette betting table by putting a bet on red or black, another bet on the first, second, or third 12, plus a bet on a lucky number. As you can see, your chances of getting at least 1 of these bets is good. The bet on red or black will only double your money, but if your lucky number bet hits you’ll get a good payout.
This strategy is simple but effective. The idea is that you can mostly cover your losses until your lucky number finally hits. Just remember that small losses are still possible, so the strategy is a matter of endurance more than anything else.
Bet Smart And Responsibly
Gambling is, of course, all about fun, like a video game. It is fun to go head to head with lady luck, and fun to see how much you can win in a single Roulette session. Gambling is not, as you already know, a way to earn a living. At least not unless you’re a professional career gambler. Either way, it is all about gambling responsibly.
To stay responsible when you play online Roulette, never play with money you can’t afford to lose. You must also manage your bankroll carefully, stick to a daily spending limit, and never chase losses.
Most of all, remember to quit while you’re ahead. When you get a big win and find that your bankroll is in the green, simply take your winnings and leave. Good luck!
