Roulette is obviously one of the most popular casino games ever created, and it still remains hugely popular despite competition from a new wave of casino gaming concepts. However, using the term “roulette” to describe a particular game is almost a misnomer. It’s such a broad term, especially given that so many new – and popular roulette – roulette variants have popped online over the last couple of decades.
So, where to start with describing the different variants? Well, you could look at the American roulette at https://www.mansioncasino.com/ca/ as a landing point for the classic version of the game. But, once again, we have a problem with the definition of “classic” here. What is the classic version of roulette? Is it American roulette? European? French?
It’s difficult to answer those questions. But we will take you through some of the main variants below, starting with the classics and then moving on to the modern variants that have proven to be very popular online:
American Roulette
If you visit one of the sprawling casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip or frequent the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, this is the roulette game you are most likely to play. The wheel has 38 segments, comprised of the numbers 1-36 and the 0 and 00 pockets. A straight-up win, i.e., betting on a winning number, will pay 35-1. That gives the casino a house edge of 5.26%.
European Roulette
If you are playing in North America, European roulette is more likely to be found in the VIP high-roller rooms. The payouts are the same, but the wheel has one segment fewer than the American wheel, having just one 0 pocket. That lowers the house to around 2.7% on a straight-up bet.
French Roulette
French roulette is technically a variant of European roulette, but it differs in presentation and has some quirky rules that can benefit the player. As for presentation, the table etc. is displayed in French, perhaps lending the game an air of sophistication. But the main draw comes with some of the rules, including La Partage rule, which returns half the player’s bet if the ball lands on a zero in a losing even money bet.
Multi-Wheel Roulette
An example of the new wave of roulette games that became popular once casino websites gained a foothold online. As the name of the game implies, you can place bets on up to eight different roulette wheels.
Spread Bet Roulette
A recent arrival to the online gaming world, spread bet roulette offers bigger payouts but is a bit more volatile than standard games. Basically, you are making a side bet on the sum of two virtual spins – this game is, therefore, only possible online – alongside the standard roulette play. The upshot is that you can win 100s of times your stake, dwarfing the payout of standard roulette. A similar brand name version is Playtech’s Quantum Roulette.
Pinball Roulette
One of the most popular arcade-style variants of roulette. As you can gather by the name, this follows the pattern of a pinball game. The main gameplay follows standard roulette payouts and odds, but there is an extra pinball-themed bonus game where your winnings can be further enhanced.
Jackpot Roulette
Perhaps the most exciting variant you can find online. Popular jackpot roulette games include Frankie Dettori’s Jackpot Roulette and Age of the Gods Roulette. The latter can be found in both virtual and live dealer formats. Effectively, these jackpot games take a small percentage of every wager – usually 1% or less – and put it into a jackpot fun. The prize is triggered randomly and awarded to one player, regardless if it is a winning spin or not. Because these jackpot networks use economies of scale, the top prizes can be astronomical, potentially surpassing $1 million.
