Online vs Live Roulette Games
Roulette has been a casino classic for many years and it is a game that attracts much attention in land based casinos. With the introduction of online gambling sites back in the 1990s, players were able to access roulette games online and play the same game as they would if they visited a land casino. These live roulette games are designed by leading software providers and do a great job at replicating a true game. In addition to standard computerized roulette games in online casinos, players can now enjoy live dealer roulette as well.
Here, we discuss the differences between online and live roulette and provide players with information on how both games work.
Playing Online Roulette
When playing online roulette, players will first select the game variation they wish to play. Online casinos host many different games that each have slightly different rules. The popular variation will be discussed later, but players do need to have a general understanding of the game they are about to play.
The process of playing is just like when playing in a land casino. Players will place their chips on the table and once all bets have been placed, the wheel will be spun. The landing number will indicate the winning number and color and all winning bets will be paid while losing bets will be removed from the table. Roulette is a game of chance and there is no way to alter the outcome of the game. When playing standard online roulette games, they are controlled by a Random Number Generator which is used to ensure fairness and offer all players the same chances at winning.
There are some game strategies and betting strategies that can be used while playing online roulette, but these are not always guaranteed to deliver a positive outcome. With roulette, players will have to make smart betting choices and to do this, they have to know the payouts of each type of bet.
Online Roulette Variations
One of the great benefits to playing roulette games online is that the casino sites often provide access to multiple game variations. At land based casinos, physical floor space is limited, so most locations only offer one standard version of the game. With online casinos, players can enjoy many different options which enhance the experience.
European and American Roulette
The most popular form of roulette featured at online casinos is European Roulette. This is played with 37 numbers, including a single zero. The game has a wide array of betting options. It is the most played game online. Another option is American Roulette, though this game has smaller odds for the player since the double zero is in play. When possible, it is always best to choose European roulette to have the better opportunity to claim a payout.
French Roulette
Another online game that can be found at many sites is French Roulette. This game is quite similar to European Roulette but there are two added bets, the En Prison and La Partage bets, with the latter offering half the bet back should the wheel produce a zero. This game has become quite popular with online players and it is featured at many of the leading casino sites operating.
Multi Wheel Roulette
Multi-wheel roulette is a fun filled version of the game that is often featured at casino sites that use Microgaming software. With this game, players will be able to bet on as many as 8 wheels at the same time. They will place bets on a single table layout and the result of the game will depend on the outcome of each wheel. If the same number appears on multiple wheels, players can walk away with some spectacular payouts. This game is a great choice for experienced players who are seeking a fast paced game with more ways to win.
Live Roulette
Finally, there is live dealer roulette, a game that is among the most popular with players. This version of roulette is like no other and the details of the game are explained below. Live roulette is often only offered for real money bets, so players seeking free play games will have to look for the other popular variations.
The Introduction of Live Roulette
With the enhancement of casino games found online, many software providers have started to offer live dealer casino sections, where players can engage in a real time game of roulette. The main difference between this game and the regular online version is that no Random Number Generator is used. This means that all results are actual and players can see the entire game unfold live.
When playing live dealer roulette, all aspects of the game are streamed from a land location that makes use of a real roulette table and live dealers. Players will have the great ability to chat with dealers, just like they would in a land setting and since the games are played in real time, the experience is life like. Live roulette provides many great benefits that are not found with online computerized games.
For those that are seeking a realistic experience without having to visit their local land casino, live roulette is a great choice. These games are all trusted and played in real time, so players will see all bets being placed, the ball being dropped, the wheel spinning, the result and all payouts delivered.
Pros and Cons of Live Roulette Games
With live roulette, players will enjoy different aspects of the game that are not featured with standard online versions. The live games feel fairer and the casinos are always inspecting the games to make sure that all results are completely random. Since players can see everything happening at the table they will not wonder whether the game results are fixed, offering a feeling of playing a game that is fair and honest, just like at a land based casino.
Another benefit is the ability to interact with others. Online casino games lack a social aspect, but with live dealer games, players have the great ability to interact not only with the dealer but also with all players that are at the table. Not only does this enhance the experience, but players can share tips and strategies that can be beneficial when playing any real money game.
Live dealer roulette games have many options and features that can be controlled. Players can enjoy different variations of games and can choose tables that have certain betting limits so they are always gambling within a set budget. Players can also control camera views and can track their playing history as well as previous game results. These live dealer games do a great job at recreating a true casino experience and they are the most sought after roulette versions online.
As with any casino game, there are some downfalls, and this is true with live dealer roulette. Luckily, there are not many cons to playing these games. There are no limits as to how many players can play. The only downfall is the fact that most live dealer games can only be played for real money. These games are more complex than standard online casino games, so software providers pay more to be able to host the games at sites. There are very few online casinos that offer free access to live dealer games. Another possible downfall is the lack of casino bonuses. Many of the offers that are presented by an online casino can only be used when playing slots and select table and card games. In most cases, live dealer games are excluded from these bonuses. However, casino sites that cater to live dealer players will usually offer special bonuses that are exclusively offered for use on live dealer games.
One other disadvantage is the slower speed of the game. Since the live dealer game is played in real time, the dealer must wait for all players to place their bets before the game starts. Most sites will have a time limit of no more than 30 seconds to place the bet, but even this short amount of time can drastically slow down the gameplay, which can be seen as a negative for players who are used to the fast play of standard online roulette.
Where to Play Online and Live Roulette
Luckily, since roulette is one of the most common table games played, it can be found at just about every operating casino site online. These sites will always offer exceptional game variations so players have something different to enjoy when betting and they will also feature standard free games. The best online casinos will offer a section devoted to live dealer games, and here the true action is available. The live dealer games are divided by betting limits. There are also exclusive offers for live dealer play as well as VIP tables.
It is not difficult to locate a casino site that offers roulette variations and with so many sites now supporting live dealer play these games can easily be located at the top rated licensed online casinos. There are many software providers that create roulette options and while the offering of live dealer roulette is a bit more limited than standard online roulette, there are still some many options available. Any player that has played roulette in a land casino setting will benefit from playing either online or live roulette. Both provide awesome chances at winning and support all the same betting options as a real game. With the ability to play at any time and the opportunity to play these games on mobile devices, online roulette has become a top choice for thousands of players all over the world. The game continues to be a preferred option and online sites that feature live dealer games will surely see an increase in player numbers as more and more players are looking for the most realistic experience possible.