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Roulette: Some Things to Consider Before Playing

April 30, 2024

Roulette is the most beloved and appreciated of all online casino games, as well as the most filmed. Anyone who has seen Diamonds are Forever (James Bond rocking away at the roulette wheel) or Casablanca (the high stakes, part of one of the most famous scenes in Rick Blaine’s bar) knows what we are talking about.

Roulette has fascinated audiences for centuries, both in real casinos and on the silver screen. Its iconic spinning wheel represents glamour, chance, and the thrill of uncertainty. But while roulette looks simple, there are layers of strategy and choices that can shape the experience. By understanding the versions of the game, the house edge, and a few smart habits, players can approach the wheel with more confidence and more enjoyment.

These next few tricks will help you enjoy roulette even more – whether that be roulette games offered at the best online casino websites or, rather, an elegant land casino.

What Do You Need To Know To Play Roulette?

Roulette thrives on psychology as much as probability. Players often believe in “hot streaks” or “lucky numbers,” even though each spin is independent. This emotional engagement keeps the game exciting, but it also highlights the importance of balance.

Outside bets feel safer and keep players in the game longer, while inside bets tempt those who crave high-risk, high-reward thrills. Understanding these psychological pulls can help you decide how to approach the wheel without being swept away by emotion.

A Brief History of Roulette

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Roulette first appeared in 17th-century France and quickly spread across Europe. By the 19th century, it had become synonymous with Monte Carlo’s casinos, attracting royalty and high society. The game’s elegant design and easy-to-follow rules helped it stand out from other table games.

Understanding The Wheel Design

The alternating red and black numbers aren’t random,  they’re carefully arranged to avoid patterns that could favour certain betting systems. 

For example, odd and even numbers are distributed across the wheel to create balance, and high and low numbers are evenly spread.

This design ensures fairness and contributes to roulette’s long-lasting reputation as a game of chance rather than predictability.

Playing Responsibly

While roulette is thrilling, it’s important to approach it with clear limits. Set a budget before you start, decide on a time frame, and take regular breaks. Many modern online casinos provide responsible gaming tools, such as deposit limits and time reminders, to help players enjoy the game safely.

This approach doesn’t reduce the fun, it enhances it by making sure your experience stays positive and controlled.

Online Innovations

Today’s online roulette has evolved far beyond simple digital wheels. Live dealer roulette streams real croupiers from studios or casino floors, creating an immersive experience with chat functions and multiple camera angles. Variants like Lightning Roulette introduce multipliers for added excitement, while auto-roulette caters to those who prefer fast-paced play.

These innovations show how roulette continues to adapt to modern audiences without losing its timeless appeal.

Related Roulette Articles

Some Things to Consider Before Playing Roulette

#1 HOLD ON TO THE TABLE MINIMUM

Probably the single best piece of advice you can get as a roulette casino newbie is to play the table minimum and focus solely on the outside bets. Bet on black or red (whatever colour the ball ended up on) for every new spin, and you’ll get a 1:1 payout for consistently covering 18/38 potential combos.

#2 SPREAD YOUR BETS TO KEEP THE ADRENALINE PUMPING

The next best thing you can do to make the action at the table as entertaining as possible is as follows: place two equal bets on one or two outside bets: on a column or on the 2:1 paying dozen and at even-money. With these two extra bets you will be able to cover more numbers twice and potentially hit more numbers.

#3 CHOOSE THE EUROPEAN VERSION OF THE GAME

European roulette uses the single-zero European wheel, so your strategies will considerably improve your chances. The house edge on European versions is half the house edge on American versions, and is set at 2.63%.

Aside from the superior odds, European roulette represents an equally exciting gamble as the American one. If you are new to the game, make it your mission to find the European version and practise on it first.

Roulette has plenty of myths around good and bad luck.

#4: LOOK FOR THE EN PRISON RULE

It’s true that not every casino has the En Prison roulette rule, but it’s worth your while to find one displaying it, typically on a European wheel, lowering the house edge to 1.35 per cent, for all even-money bets. Let’s say you’re betting £5 on red (on a wheel with a single zero pocket), and the ball lands in the zero; your bet isn’t won nor lost but remains ‘imprisoned’ for an additional spin. If the ball drops into red (the next spin), you get your £5 back but don’t win anything. If it’s on black instead, you lose. If zero lands again, your bet stays in place for yet another round.

#5 USE A STRATEGY

For those of you who have not played roulette, you might want to have a look at some of the strategies out there.

There’s Roulette Dozens Strategy, Roulette Columns Strategy, Black And Red Roulette Strategy, the Double Down and Reverse Double Down Roulette Strategies and so on. The Martingale strategy, the James Bond strategy and the D’Alembert Strategy.

You just have to pick one that works for you – there are a lot of them around!

#6 PLAY ONLINE ROULETTE FOR FREE

This means that you will be able to practise your new skills and any new strategies you may have come across without risking your hard-earned cash. 

Simply search for your preferred casino online and select the European or American version and play for nothing in practice or demo mode or even use the free casino money that’s part of a sweet welcome bonus package.

Familiarise yourself with the way the wheel looks and feels, study the structure of the table, read about the payouts and get ready to move on to real money roulette gaming soon.

FAQs

Which roulette version should beginners choose?

European roulette, thanks to its single zero and lower house edge.

Is roulette a skill game or pure chance?

Roulette is primarily chance, but strategies can help manage risk and bankroll.

Why is the En Prison rule so valuable?

It cuts the house edge in half on even-money bets, making it one of the most player-friendly rules.

Are online roulette games fair?

Licensed casinos use RNGs (Random Number Generators) or live dealers monitored for fairness, ensuring the integrity of results.

Can you practise roulette without spending money? 

Yes, demo versions of roulette are widely available online.

Written By
David Lynch

Experienced writer and editor based in Ireland. Attends poker events, covers all casino games and slots, but is really a keen blackjack and roulette player at heart. A sports fanatic among all other things with a soft spot for soccer and F1