Roulette has been around for a long time. The introduction of casino online roulette and more recently, a number of live dealer variants, has given the old classic a new lease of life, and the game’s popularity keeps growing. So, if you have questions about this classic game and its modern twists, we’ve set out to answer some of the more common ones about roulette.

Is there only one type of roulette?

Answer: No.

Explanation: Not all roulette games have 38 numbers on the wheel. French and European Roulette have 37: only one green pocket for zero, and numbered pockets (1 to 36) that alternate red or black. The American roulette wheel, on the other hand, has 38 pockets, comprising alternating black and red numbers, from 1 to 36, plus two green pockets – for a single 0 and a double 00.

The layout of the wheel affects the house edge, which is 2.7% for the European variant and 5.26% for American roulette. In other words, if you were betting on a particular number in American roulette, the odds of winning would be lower (1 in 38), compared to European Roulette (1 in 37). If you’re wondering how this difference came about, it’s quite simple. American roulette was designed with an extra pocket to give the house a higher edge. Players of roulette in the UK favour neither of these variants, rather choosing their favourite variation based on the products on offer and personal preference. If you’d like to find out more about the odds of specific bets, read our review of Pragmatic Play’s Live Speed Roulette, where we break down the inside and outside bets.

Is online roulette different to the traditional game?

Answer: Yes.

Explanation: While the concept, odds, bets and basic game rules tend to be the same, online roulette differs from the traditional game in its format and variety. The online format allows game developers to create any number of variations as long as they’re supported by technology. For example, you can still play roulette online and enjoy the classic game in its digital format conveniently on any of your devices. But the digital offering has also evolved into live online roulette, whereby players are immersed in a live-streamed game from a land-based studio and become part of the action that unfolds in real-time. Even real-time conversation between a dealer and players is now possible through online chat tools.

Is roulette a game of chance or strategy?

Answer: This depends on who you ask.

Explanation: Success in roulette is largely due to luck, as no one can tell where the ball will land on the wheel, real or virtual, but there are some things you can do to feel more in control of your choices and a game. There really is no end to the number of roulette strategies rattling around out there. (Before picking a strategy, keep in mind that no roulette betting system has ever been proven to work.) 

Some examples are:

• The Fibonacci roulette strategy uses Fibonacci numbers (numbers starting at 1 that are a sum of the previous two numbers, ie, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 and so on). These numbers are believed to be sacred to some people because they echo number sequences in the natural world, like the number of spider legs, flower petals and the groupings of 3, 5, 8 and so on, that are most pleasing to the eye. When using this system, in both online live roulette and traditional games, you’d apply it to even-number bets only, wait for a win then increase the stake by 2, then 3, 5, and on you’d go. But be warned: before you try this strategy, it’s really important to think about which number you’d like to stop at… and walk away once you’ve reached that number.
• The James Bond betting strategy would see you playing in multiples of £200 (although you could theoretically scale this down to whatever you’re comfortable playing at, providing you make the minimum bet). You only have to remember three bets (£140 on a number from 19-36 for your first bet, £50 on a number from 13-18 for your second bet, and £10 on the single zero for your final bet). The idea is that you’re more likely to win about two-thirds the time – but you’re also losing quite a lot too!
• The Martingale betting strategy is loosely based on the idea that if you keep playing, you’re likely to win at some point. So, whenever you lose a hand, you double your bet and when you do eventually win, the pay-out is enough for you to at least break even. Once again, this kind of approach to playing roulette is a very risky tactic and you shouldn’t bet more than you had planned at the outset of your session. Knowing when to quit is the most important skill to develop when engaging with any gambling games, and this is especially crucial when attempting any of these challenging strategies!

Of course, the best way to win at roulette is to forget about “winning” completely – instead, just appreciate the game for the excitement and entertainment factor. After all, it’s a really fun casino game to play, in all its forms! This way, you’ll find it easy to manage your bankroll responsibly and walk away when you’ve reached your self-imposed limit, whether this is time or money (or a combination of both).

Is live roulette and safe and fair to play?

Answer: Yes.

Explanation: When you play roulette online, random number generator software produces millions of numbers each second, and this decides which pocket on the virtual wheel the ball drops into. Start by choosing which site you’ll play on carefully. Do some online research to find out if you’re gambling with an honest, trustworthy company. For example, The Phone Casino is operated under license by Small Screen Casinos, which is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Alderney Gambling Commission.

You’ll want to find a safe online site, not only so you can be sure you’re playing honest and fair games, but to give you peace of mind that your personal information and money transactions are in safe hands. For example, all our communications are encrypted, making The Phone Casino safe, secure and trusted.

In the case of live roulette online, many of the companies that develop these games have built a reputation as trustworthy businesses such as NetEnt, Playtech and Evolution Gaming, to name a few.  

Play many variations of roulette at The Phone Casino

We hope we’ve answered some of your questions about how to win at roulette. If you’re a newbie to roulette or online casinos, why not get the ball rolling by trying your hand at free online roulette? This is a great way to get in some practice before getting involved in any real-money games. Of course, once you’ve registered with us, you are welcome to play live roulette online, traditional-style or any other of our online casino games here at The Phone Casino.