Online Roulette
Roulette is one of the most popular table games in Canadian online casinos, and there is a large variety of game variations to choose from. This traditional physical casino favourite is given a new twist in many online Canadian casinos, which is why so many players opt to play it. The game is suited to players of all experience levels and offers both high- and low-stakes options.
Besides the popularity of online casino roulette, it remains incredibly popular at both provincially-run and First Nations casinos. How popular is roulette online? Well, we're not going to suggest that it's quite as popular as street corner coffee shops in Toronto - but it's pretty close!
What is Roulette Online?
Online roulette is a virtual table game where the outcome is determined by a random number generator (RNG) instead of an actual roulette wheel. As with a land-based roulette table, video roulette online is a game of chance since a player cannot influence the outcome of a spin. Still, players can use some basic roulette strategies to help manage their bankroll.
Online roulette games use professionally-recorded male or female voices to simulate live croupiers. In reality, the role of the croupier is performed by computer software. It's hard not to be astonished by the realistic graphics that go into the roulette table and roulette wheel design. The game is engineered to resemble the real thing.
Mobile Roulette Online
Given the vast distances between communities in Canada, it's no wonder that online roulette has taken off across the country. The best online roulette Canada casinos know that Canadians have a busy lifestyle. Part of it may come down to commuting to work in a big city like Calgary or Vancouver. It can also involve enjoying a double coffee and Timbits at Tim Horton's.
For times like these, it's great to know that Canadians can play their favourite online roulette games on their trusty iOS or Android mobile phones and tablets. Mobile roulette is typically available in instant play from a web browser. Still, some online roulette Canada casinos also offer a downloadable mobile app.
Free Online Roulette
We've all heard the expression that the best things in life are free. Well, that's sort of true! Canadians can play most variants of online roulette for free so that they can try them first. However, free play roulette is not available on live roulette variants. In this case, you will need to deposit cash to your casino player account to play. Some online casinos will allow players to enter a live roulette room and observe a game in progress. However, this is often not possible.
Online Roulette for Real Money
Although we're not ones to ever look a gift horse in the mouth, free online roulette has some glaring disadvantages. There are several reasons for playing online roulette for real money as soon as possible:
- Only roulette for real money allows you to withdraw your winnings.
- Bonuses and other promotions apply only when playing roulette for real money.
- Playing online roulette with money on the line is much more exciting.
- Live roulette with real-life dealers or automatic roulette wheels is only possible when playing for real money.
Why Play Online Roulette?
Perhaps the appeal of roulette online is in the buildup of suspense as you watch the ball spinning around the wheel. You hold your breath until the ball drops into a pocket. If you pardon the analogy, online roulette games are like donuts since there are many reasons to indulge:
- Roulette has better odds than many other online casino games.
- Traditional online roulette variants have the same basic rules as roulette at land-based casinos.
- The house edge in online roulette (European) can be as low as 2.7%.
- Modern variants of online roulette have added features.
- A successful roulette strategy can lower the house edge.
- There are live dealer roulette and live automated roulette wheels.
Traditional Roulette
The most popular version of traditional online roulette is probably European Roulette, followed by American Roulette and French Roulette. Although the difference between the first two is ever so slight, it does affect the house edge.
European Roulette
A European roulette wheel is divided into 37 pockets numbered 0-36. While the position numbered '0' is green, the remaining numbers are divided evenly into 18 black and 18 red pockets. Likewise, the roulette table is divided into 37 betting positions with inside and outside playing areas. There is a total of 12 possible outside betting combinations, eight of which are number combinations. The final four bets include even, uneven, black and red.
American Roulette
An American Roulette wheel has one significant difference to European Roulette: 38 pockets instead of 37. The extra pocket is the green double zero (00). Its addition increases the house edge while lowering the theoretical return to player (RTP). United States casinos created this version because of their reluctance to add European Roulette. They did not consider the house edge large enough.
French Roulette
French Roulette is sometimes mistaken with European Roulette, although the former is not as commonly found. Two rules differentiate French roulette from European Roulette. La Partage and En Prison are like a second chance if the ball lands on (0) in a round where the player made a simple chance wager (1:1 payout).
With 'En Prison,' the player can opt to leave their bet on the same field, where it's put 'En Prison' for the next round. If in the next spin the bet is won, the player will get their bet back (1:0). Should they lose, then the bet is lost. While a player has no chance to win the bet with a 1:1 payout in the second round, they have the opportunity to win their whole stake back.
Other Types of Roulette include:
How to Play Roulette Online
Roulette is a random number game in which players must try to correctly guess the final resting place of a spinning white ball. The Roulette wheel is divided into several "pockets" into which the ball can slip, and a player can win the game by correctly predicting into which pocket the ball will fall.
Originally invented in France in the 17th century, the game of Roulette is the result of a scientist's attempt to invent a perpetual motion machine. Roulette has since evolved to include many different variants, but they are all based on the original French classic. Some of the different versions of Roulette that can be played online in Canada include:
French Roulette: this is the original version of the game, and it is thought to be the best version of the game by many players. French Roulette has one green zero, and in most cases, this version of Roulette includes a rule that allows a player to recover part of their stake when the ball lands on the green zero.
American Roulette: this version of the game offers many of the same bets as French Roulette, but the table includes an additional double-zero pocket. This gives the house an edge which it doesn't have in French Roulette.
European Roulette: similar to French Roulette but the table and wheel have minor visual differences.
Mini Roulette: this is a compact version of French Roulette. The smaller table and wheel provide limited betting options, resulting in a lower probability of placing a winning bet.
Live Dealer Roulette: in this version of Roulette, the online players can interact with a live dealer. This game is designed to replicate the experience of a land-based casino more accurately.
Two main types of bets exist in Roulette: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets refer to bets placed on the pockets that are located on the inside of the Roulette wheel, while outside bets refer to bets placed on groups of numbers such as red, black, odd or even. Inside bets have lower odds and usually come with a higher payout, while outside bets have higher odds and a lower payout.
Whether inside or outside bets are the right option depends mainly on the betting strategy being used and the size of the player's budget.
Online Roulette Strategies
Over the years, different Roulette strategies have been developed. Although Roulette is truly a game of random luck, using these strategies does increase the likelihood of placing a winning bet. Some of the most popular Roulette strategies are Martingale, Paroli and D'Alembert, and they work as follows:
Martingale: this strategy is one of the simplest Roulette strategies, and it involves doubling your bet every time you lose. It might sound counterintuitive at first, but the strategy does make it possible to eventually recoup your losses. The strategy is based on the Fibonacci sequence and is used exclusively for outside bets. If you bet $10 and lose, you next bet $20 and continue doubling your bet until you win. After winning, the bet resets back to the original $10.
Paroli: this system is also known as the Reverse Martingale, and it works in the same way. The difference between the two is that the stake is doubled when you win and not when you lose. This strategy is a good option for small to medium players, and it avoids hitting Roulette betting caps which can happen quickly when using the Martingale strategy.
D'Alembert: this strategy also increases the bet after every loss and is similar to the Martingale strategy in that respect. However, the bet is only increased by $1 instead of being doubled. In addition, once a winning bet has been placed, the D'Alembert strategy dictates that the next bet be reduced with the winning bet amount.
Although Roulette can be played without employing any strategy, the chances of making a successful bet increases when patiently and precisely applying one of the above approaches. The right strategy differs from game to game because factors such as minimum and maximum table bets must be taken into consideration. For example, the Martingale strategy might not work with a Roulette table that has a low maximum bet limit since the bet doubles each time the player loses.
Roulette Inside Bets
A standard roulette table has both inside betting options and outside betting options. Not surprisingly, a roulette payout depends on the bet type you choose and correlates to the probability of winning. Consider inside bets when your primary motivation is higher payout potential that comes with a lower chance of winning.
Straight Up Bet (35:1 Payout)
The 'straight up' bet is the simplest inside bet you can make as it involves betting on an individual number. The odds of winning on a straight up bet are the most difficult, which is why it has the highest payout.
Split Bet (17:1 Payout)
A 'split bet' is a little more complex than a straight up bet but not difficult to understand. It involves a bet on two vertically or horizontally adjacent numbers on the roulette table. For example, a bet on the vertically adjacent numbers 32-35 or the horizontally adjacent numbers 10-11 are split bets.
Street Bet (11:1 Payout)
A 'street bet' involves bets on three adjacent horizontal numbers. For example, a bet on the numbers 22-23-24 on the roulette table is an example of a street bet.
Trio Bet (11:1 Payout)
A 'trio bet' is another inside bet. It involves betting on three numbers which include a 0. For example, a three-number bet of 0-1-2 is a trio bet in American and European roulette. A three-number bet on 0-2-3 is another example of a trio bet in European roulette. A combination of 00-2-3 is also considered a trio bet in American roulette.
Square Bet (8:1 Payout)
A 'square bet' consists of a four-number bet on adjacent symbols to form a square pattern. An example would be a bet on numbers 4-5-7-8.
First Four Bet (8:1 Payout)
A 'first four' bet is only available on European roulette and French roulette. It consists of a bet on the number combination 0-1-2-3.
Basket Bet (6:1 Payout)
A 'basket bet' is only available in American roulette and equivalent to the European/French's 'first four bet' but with a lower relative payout. It involves a bet on the number combination 0-00-1-2-3.
Double Street (5:1 Payout)
A double street bet involves a bet on two adjacent horizontal rows (6) numbers. Making a bet on 16-17-18-19-20-21 would be an example of a double street bet.
Roulette Outside Bets
If the thought of the different inside bets leaves you a little confused, then you may want to start with outside bets. Although they have lower payouts, these types of bets types are more straightforward and happen more frequently.
Dozen Bet (2:1 Payout)
A 'dozen bet' is a bet that the ball will land on a number in the 1st dozen numbers (1-12), 2nd dozen numbers (13-24) or 3rd dozen numbers (25-36) of the roulette table.
Column Bet (2:1 Payout)
The 'column bet' consists of a bet that the ball will land on a number that falls in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd vertical row. Each row consists of 12 numbers.
Colour Bet (1:1 Payout)
A 'colour bet' is one of the most straightforward bets in roulette, explaining its low payout. Predict whether the ball will fall in a red pocket or black pocket.
Even Bet or Odd Bet (1:1 Payout)
An 'even or odd' is another straightforward bet. Predict whether the ball will fall in an even-numbered pocket or an odd-numbered pocket.
Low Bet or High Bet (1:1 Payout)
Conceptually, a low or high bet is another easy-to-understand outside bet. A 'high bet' is a wager that the ball will drop on a number falling in the 19-36 range on the roulette table. A 'low bet' is a wager that the ball will drop on a number falling in the 1-18 range.
Online Roulette Providers
There are plenty of software providers offering roulette online, meaning that Canadians have a lot of choices. Some of the most popular roulette providers include Microgaming, Play'n GO, NetEnt and Betsoft, but there are many more. As far as we're concerned, roulette is like Kraft Dinner - there can never be enough!
Live Online Roulette
Most Canadians don't exactly have a casino in their backyard, which is why they often turn to roulette online. While online roulette is supported by gorgeous graphics, realistic audio and a terrific collection of games, some players miss the 'live casino experience.'
The solution is live roulette, a modern variant played with a real-life dealer and genuine roulette wheel. It is streamed from a production studio straight into your home. It doesn't matter what time it is or if you're living in St John, Newfoundland or Victoria, British Columbia, you can always find a table seat.
Online Roulette Closing Thoughts
Roulette is one of the oldest and most recognized casino games worldwide, so it is only natural that it will also be one of the most popular online casino games in Canada. Online Roulette games offer something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned gamblers, and the game can be high-stakes or relaxed, depending on the player's chosen strategy. By remaining patient and employing one of the many different strategies, anyone can have a chance at placing a winning bet with real money roulette.
At OnlineCasinoList, Canadians will find the best online roulette Canada operators. Some software providers even have online roulette variants that offer higher-payout side bets or other features. One thing is for sure, Canadians love their roulette! Waiting for the ball to land is like watching the dying moments of the Stanley Cup Finals. Nothing quite beats the feeling of your heart beating out of your chest to see what happens next.