How to Play Roulette
Roulette is among the most popular casino table games across online casinos and land-based venues. Known for its elegance and easy-to-understand gameplay, it’s a formidable game that perfectly encapsulates the excitement of casino gaming.
The fast pace and social gameplay make roulette an ideal choice for Canadian players, whether you prefer real-life play or want to try online casinos.
Online roulette can be played on mobile devices and desktop computers. It can played via live-streams, RNG-video, auto or pre-recorded games, and across a fantastic selection of titles. Read on to learn more about this iconic casino table game and find out how you can play today.
History of Roulette
It is believed that roulette was invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in the 17th century while searching for a perpetual motion machine. By the 18th century, it had become renowned as a betting game in France and soon spread throughout Europe.
Two-wheel variants emerged, one with a single zero pocket and one featuring the double zero. While the single zero version gained popularity in Europe, the double zero variant became more prevalent in the US.
Modern technology has allowed the game to spread further afield, as players without traditional access to land-based casinos can now enjoy the full breadth of roulette. The game has many variants, with innovative features and bonuses to enhance your gameplay experience and ensure its ongoing popularity among Canadian players.
Basic Rules of Roulette
you’re playing, the horizontal game wheel is segmented into numbered pockets—either 37 or 38. The pockets are either black or red, except for the zero/double zero, which is green. A small ball runs along a track on the wheel’s outer edge.
The betting table is laid out in a grid that shows the various betting options available in that game variant. Some versions include a separate racetrack layout with additional betting options discussed below.
The gameplay involves the croupier spinning the roulette wheel in one direction and the small ball in another. Your objective is to accurately guess which pocket you think the ball will land in when the wheel stops spinning and place bets accordingly. In some games, an auto wheel is used; the mechanism will start once the betting window closes.
To bet on a game round, you must cover your chosen betting position/s on the table with casino chips during the allocated betting time. You can choose from different bet types with various attributes, risk levels and payout odds.
Types of Roulette Games
As mentioned, online roulette in Canada comes in many shapes and sizes. The three most common variants are European, American, and European, which we will introduce in more detail below. We’ll also closely examine the live dealer roulette games available in online casinos:
European Roulette
American Roulette
French Roulette
Live Dealer Roulette
Roulette Betting Options
Standard betting options in roulette are divided into two main categories: inside bets and outside bets. The naming convention indicates their positioning on the betting table.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the primary betting grid. You can cover a single number with your chip for a straight-up bet or use the lines surrounding them to bet on small groupings.
Inside bets are more specific bets covering fewer numbers. This means they have lower odds of winning but offer higher payouts if they land. Play the following inside bets for more exciting gameplay with higher risk and greater win potential:
- Straight Up: This bet covers a single number with your chip.
- Split: This bet covers two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line that separates them.
- Street: This bet covers three numbers in a row by placing your chip at the end.
- Corner: This bet covers four numbers in a square by placing your chip in the corner where they meet.
- Line: This bet covers six numbers over two adjacent streets. Place your chip at the end of the rows where they meet.
Outside Bets
Outside bets are placed on the larger sections on the outer edge of the main roulette betting grid. They are broader bets encompassing large groups of numbers, which means they are lower risk than inside bets and have higher odds of winning.
Outside bets offer lower, more frequent payouts, which means you can enjoy a longer playing time if you place the following wagers:
- Column: Place your chip at the end of a column marked 2 to 1 to bet on all 12 numbers in the column.
- Dozen: Place your chip in the 1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12 boxes to bet on all 12 numbers in the section.
- Red/Black: A bet that covers all black or all red numbers.
- Odd/Even: A bet that covers all odd or all even numbers.
- High/Low: A bet that covers the highest (19-36) or lowest (1-18) numbers.
Announced or Call Bets
Call bets are placed on the separate racetrack betting station that you’ll find on the table in French or European roulette. Typically, American roulette does not feature a racetrack or call bets, but some versions include basket bets.
The racetrack layout emulates the positioning of the numbers on the wheel, which enables you to place bets on which section of the wheel you think the ball will and cover the relevant numbers.
The most common call bets are neighbour bets, which are straight-up bets placed on the track covering a specific number and its closest neighbours. There are also four groupings in the centre of the track:
- Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero): This bet uses nine chips to cover the 17 numbers closest to zero on the wheel. This includes 22 and 25, and the numbers that fall between them are on the same side as zero.
- Tiers du Cylindre (Thirds of the Wheel): This bet uses six chips to cover 12 numbers opposite the zero pocket, including 27 and 33, and the numbers that fall between them on the wheel.
- Orphelins a Cheval (Orphans on Horseback): This bet covers the eight numbers on two sections of the wheel that are not included in the bets detailed above. Using five chips to cover numbers 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 43.
- Jeu Zéro (Zero Game): A smaller version of the Voisins du Zéro bet, covering zero and the six closest numbers (12, 35, 3, 26, 32, 15) with four casino chips.
Roulette Strategies
Some players believe in specific strategies that, if employed, can help you to walk away from your gaming session funds up rather than down. While there is no guarantee that these strategies will work for you, you may wish to learn more about the most common online roulette strategies listed below:
Martingale Strategy
The Martingale Strategy is one of the most popular among roulette players and involves doubling your bet following each losing round. The premise behind this strategy is that you will eventually recoup your losses when you land a win.
The Martingale Strategy is only suitable for some players as it requires starting your session with a large bankroll to accommodate the exponential rise in your bet value.
Fibonacci Strategy
The Fibonacci Sequence is a famous number sequence where each new number is the sum of the two immediately preceding it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). The Fibonacci Strategy is a negative progression betting system that follows this number sequence.
The strategy involves following each losing bet with the sum of the previous two bets until you hit a winning round. For example, if your first losing bet is $2.00 and the second is $3.00, your next bet would be $5.00. After a win, take two steps back in the sequence and proceed. If you hit a win on your $5.00 bet, your next bet will return to $2.00.
While your bet sizes increase slower than with Martingale, making it a less aggressive strategy, Fibonacci is still a high-risk strategy.
D’Alembert Strategy
D’Alembert is a far more conservative roulette strategy than those listed above, played on low-risk even-money bets. To start, set yourself a base bet value. Then, increase your bet by 1x after every losing round and decrease it by 1x after every win.
Labouchere Strategy
The Labouchere System is a more involved strategy that involves some planning. Before you start your session, decide how much money you want to win. Then, construct a list of smaller numbers that add up to that total win value.
Next, hit the table with your list, making your first bet value the sum of the first and last numbers on the list. If you win, cross these numbers off your list and move on to the next combination. If you lose the bet, add your bet amount to the end of your list of numbers and start again. Repeat this process until you have crossed all the numbers off your list and won your desired prize.
Reverse Martingale (Paroli)
The Reverse Martingale, as the same suggests, works the opposite way to the Martingale Strategy, requiring you to increase your bet after a winning game round and vice versa. The theory behind this method is that you capitalize on a winning streak and minimize your losses when experiencing a losing streak.
While this roulette strategy is less risky than the traditional Martingale system, it relies more on faith and superstition than mathematical calculations.
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House Edge in Roulette
The house edge is the casino’s mathematical advantage over the player. It represents the average percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep over the long term. Choosing European or French roulette can improve your chances of winning due to their lower house edges, as we explain below:
House Edge by Roulette Version
The house edge varies between the main roulette variants as follows:
- European Roulette: 2.70%
- American Roulette: 5.26%
- French Roulette: 1.35% (on even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison)
It differs because of the number of pockets on the wheel and the special rules. The second zero in American roulette significantly pushes the house edge in the casino’s favour. In contrast, French roulette’s La Partage and En Prison rules skew the house edge in the opposite direction.
With this knowledge, you can maximize your chances of winning by playing games with the lowest house edge and placing bets with the best returns. In the case of online roulette, this would be even money bets in a French roulette game.
Playing Roulette Online for Real Money
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the various game variants and how to play online roulette, it’s time to hit those virtual tables. You must choose an online casino operator to play your chosen roulette game.
When choosing an online casino in Canada, it’s essential to consider factors such as site security, trustworthiness, and game variety. Read reviews from experts and fellow players, check licensing and banking options, and review the bonuses to help you decide.
With many reputable casinos catering to Canadian players, you shouldn’t have trouble finding an online casino site that suits your needs.
Free Play Roulette vs. Real Money Play
While we encourage practice on free-to-play games to hone your skills, there’s nothing compared to the excitement of playing online roulette for real money. To enjoy the full gameplay experience of online roulette, hit the real money tables for a truly authentic experience. Don’t forget to visit the casino promos page to see if any bonus offers could help boost your win potential.
Mobile Roulette: Play on the Go
Thanks to the increase in mobile casino gaming in Canada, you can play your favourite roulette games on the go without worrying about compromising quality. There has been a definite shift towards mobile play amongst online casino players, and to accommodate this, developers build their games with mobile play in mind.
Modern online roulette games are optimized for mobile play, seamlessly responding to various screen sizes. You can enjoy a top-quality experience playing mobile roulette in Canada, regardless of whether you’re playing on an Apple or Android device.
Maximizing Bonuses for Roulette Play
A key aspect of online gaming that has been a game-changer for many players is the promotional offers that operators put on to attract and retain players. These special bonuses come in many formats, from generous welcome packages aimed at new players to exclusive loyalty programs that offer rewards for high rollers and loyal customers.
We’ve highlighted some of the most common bonuses below that you can use to enhance your online roulette experience:
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are designed to attract new customers in this highly competitive market and generally offer bonus funds, deposit matches, and free spins to play specific slot games.
It’s essential to always read through the terms and conditions relating to an offer before claiming to confirm its suitability, especially regarding the wagering requirements for withdrawing any accrued winnings.
Reload and Ongoing Promotions
The offers don’t end when you sign up. Operators must offer players ongoing promos to encourage their return to the site. These can be reload bonuses for additional deposits, cashback on losses, seasonal specials, free spins, and more.
VIP and Loyalty Programs
VIP clubs and loyalty programs are fantastic for operators to encourage repeat business and offer plenty of opportunities to maximize your online roulette win potential. Rise through the ranks to earn VIP bonuses, special perks, and exclusive rewards to enjoy playing online roulette and your other favourite casino games.
Roulette Myths Debunked
Below, we have debunked some of the prevailing myths circulating about playing roulette online:
MYTH: A number is “due” to hit.
FACT: Roulette wheels produce random results. Each spin of the wheel is independent of all previous spins, and past outcomes cannot influence future results.
MYTH: The dealer controls the outcome.
FACT: Outcomes are entirely random, whether you are playing in real life or online. Auto roulette wheels are controlled with RNG technology to ensure fair and random outcomes. Live wheels are affected by factors beyond human control, such as air pressure, the ball’s velocity and tiny imperfections on the wheel that could impact its trajectory.
MYTH: Certain betting systems guarantee wins.
FACT: We have discussed the various betting systems employed by roulette players and their associated risks. Such systems cannot guarantee wins nor overcome the house edge.
Responsible Roulette Gaming
When it comes to getting the most out of your online roulette experience, it’s important to remember always to exercise responsible gambling. Set your time and budget limits before playing and stick to them. Take advantage of the responsible gambling resources available on many online casino sites to help you, including limit-setting and self-exclusion tools.
Suppose you feel you do need help with your gambling. In that case, many options are available to help you, including the National Problem Gambling Hotline, the Centre for Addition and Mental Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council, to name a few.
Summing it up – Our Final Words
Having read this guide to online roulette in Canada, you should understand how to play roulette and the game variants available nationwide.
Please register for an account at one of our recommended Canadian online casinos to start your online roulette journey today.