While there continues to be an uptick in slot and table game variations, Roulette has stayed true to its traditional state. The spinning wheel and clicking frets are a staple on casino floors and have intrigued people for over a century. Roulette is unique because it’s a game that brings people together to watch in unison as the little white ball whips around the track until it ends up in a winning pocket. Then the collective cheers or groans happen, depending on whether people have won or lost their bets.
Risk takers and more conservative bettors alike can find plenty of suitable betting options playing roulette. The bets range from single number high-payout bets to betting half the board for double your money. As with all casino games, the more you know about the odds and strategies behind the bets, the better your outcomes on the roulette table can be. This Bodog Casino guide will tell you everything you need to know about the game of roulette, beginning with the odds of each bet.
Know Your Odds
With roulette, there is a distinction between probabilities and house edge. The house edge is the same for all bets (except one bet in American Roulette), but depending on which version of roulette you play, you could be looking at a bigger house edge or smaller house edge. For European Roulette, the house edge is 2.7% because there is just one zero on the board. American Roulette has the zero and the double-zero (0), which causes the house edge to grow to 5.25%.
As for the probabilities, they vary bet to bet and range from close to 50% to under 3%. As you’ll see in the table below, low probability bets always have the best payouts to compensate for the added risk.
American Roulette & European Roulette Odds
Straight 2.6% | 2.7%
Split 5.3% | 5.4%
Street 7.9% | 8.1%
Corner 10.5% | 10.8%
Double Street 15.8% | 16.2%
Basket 13.2% | NA
Odds/Even/Red/Black 47.4% | 48.60%
Column/Dozen 31.6% | 32.4%
Pick A Strategy
Over the years, various betting systems have been applied to roulette because of the near 50-50 shot of winning each round when using the outside bets (black/red, even/odd). You may have heard of the Martingale strategy before. This online roulette strategy advises doubling your bet after every loss and continuing to do so until you hit a win again. In theory, once you do hit that win, you win back everything that was lost and will be up by one betting unit. Be warned though: this theory is only possible if you have an infinite bankroll and there are no limits at the table.
The Reverse Martingale has the opposite approach, where you double your bet size following each win. When you lose a round, you restart your bet to the original stake. The Reverse Martingale attempts to capitalize on streaks, so if you happen to win and lose in streaks, you can make more than if by simply betting the same unit for each round. The same warning applies to this strategy, as the doubling bets can exceed one’s bankroll faster than you may think.
The best strategy for roulette is to stick to European Roulette for the lower house edge and have fun. It’s a game of entertainment after all.
Play For Free First
We have five different roulette games on the menu: two American versions and three European versions. The newer models are best for mobile casino players, while the classics are best played on a bigger screen. Take them for a test drive before putting down any real money by using the “Practice Play” mode; you don’t even need an account to do so. It’s easy to switch over to Real Play when you figure out which game is best for you and want to start winning real money. At this point, you will need to log in to your account.
For players who like the human element of casino gambling, we have American Roulette and European Roulette live casino games with real people as the croupiers. Pick your preferred croupier and he or she will address you by your screen name when you join the table. Chat with the croupier and other players by using the text box. It’s the best way to enjoy casino games from the comfort of home, while still benefitting from the social side of gambling.
Opt For Outside Bets
As mentioned, roulette caters to both bold and conservative bettors by offering “inside” bets and “outside” bets. The inside bets consist of bets on six or fewer numbers; this is where you will find the biggest payouts such as 35:1 for a straight bet. Meanwhile, the outside bets are your classic odd/even, black/red, or the dozen and column bets that pay 2:1 and cover groups of 12 numbers. To maximize playing time, the outside bets are recommended over the inside bets. These will keep you in the game for longer than if you bet on single numbers or two-number splits.
Only Play at Trusted Casinos
There are many online casino providers out there, but Bodog Casino is the most trusted site with the most longstanding history for Canadian players. We’ve been operating since 1994 and have built a reputation of integrity that is second to none in the online casino realm. Our customer service team makes it easy to get the most out of your experience right from the start. Sign up for an account today and be sure to grab a welcome bonus while you’re making your first deposit. It’s our way of saying welcome to the Bodog community.