Roulette Variations and Strategies

• There are more than 20 types of online roulette games to play at Betfair.
• The jackpot roulette wheel has 36 numbers, a zero, and a bonus pocket.
• No-Zero roulette pays at true odds and the payout is 35:1.
• Roulette strategies are based on true luck.
• One of the best strategies for roulette is the Contra D’Alembert betting system.
• Parlay and Labouchere systems are great strategies to use when making even money bets.
• The 3, 2 System is based on combining colour bets with column bets.

Roulette is amongst the oldest and most played table games in casinos worldwide. The oldest roulette variations are the European and American variants. These versions are highly popular, and you can find them in nearly every physical and online casino. In addition, there are other interesting variations like Zero-Edge Roulette, Live Roulette, and Jackpot Roulette. The Jackpot variant has a bonus side bet and a progressive jackpot, hence the name.

When playing roulette at Betfair Casino, it's good to use betting strategies. A good example is the Paroli System, a staking plan that you use to increase or decrease your bet depending on the outcome of the last round. We’ll explain this system and other popular roulette strategies in this guide. Read on to learn more and discover the best online roulette variations and strategies.

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One of the best things about playing roulette online is you can enjoy the game in different variations. Unlike physical casinos that offer you just two or three versions of the game, online gambling sites often have 10 or more variations of roulette.

At Betfair Casino, we have a well-stocked roulette lobby with over 20 immersive variants of the game. Some of our roulette variations include mobile Penny Roulette, which is optimised for mobile. We also have a wide variety of live roulette options such as Roulette Live and Speed Roulette Live. Each of these versions gives you a wide variety of betting options, and are compatible with all types of devices. Also, all our online roulette game variations have a high RTP and they’re certified for fairness.

Let’s look at some of the top online roulette variants at Betfair and how to play them.

Live Roulette

Live roulette is a type of online roulette variation presented by a human croupier. The games are streamed from a real studio or a real-life casino and relayed to your screen using cutting-edge technology. The action takes place in real-time and you can interact with the dealer using a live chat feature. The interactive setting makes you feel like you’re playing in a brick and mortar casino from the comfort of your home.

An example of a popular live roulette game offered at Betfair is Immersive Roulette Live, which uses multiple HD cameras to capture the action. The game also offers slow-motion replays of the ball resting in the roulette wheel to create a truly immersive experience. You can also try Live French Roulette, which applies the La Partage rule when the ball lands in the zero pocket.

How to Play

To play live roulette, go to the live casino lobby and select a game from the roulette section. Next, open the game and wait for the green light to make your bets. Usually, the instruction asking you to place wagers will appear on the screen and a timer will start. You can do this by selecting a chip value and clicking on the virtual game table.

When the timer runs out, the dealer will spin the ball, and you’ll receive payouts according to the outcome. One of the most popular bets is a single number bet, also known as a straight up. The wager pays 35 to 1.

Mobile Roulette

Mobile technology has revolutionised online gambling. All you need is a smartphone running on the latest software and a stable internet connection and you’re good to play from anywhere.

At Betfair Casino, we have a wide variety of roulette variations you can enjoy on your smartphone or tablet. Mobile roulette games are similar to other types of online roulette variants, only that they’re optimised for smaller screens. For example, you’ll notice there are fewer buttons on the screen while playing. You can enjoy several roulette games like Diamond Bet Roulette and Classic Roulette at Betfair Mobile Casino.

How to Play

For the best experience when you’re playing roulette on mobile, download our mobile casino app from the Play Store or App Store. Once downloaded, log-in to your account, and then proceed to select a game in our roulette lobby.

Our mobile roulette games cut across different versions including American roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette. The payouts follow the rules of standard roulette. For example, straight up bets pay 35:1 and split bets pay 17:1.

Jackpot Roulette

Jackpot roulette is the term used to refer to online roulette games with a progressive jackpot bonus. These games follow the rules of standard roulette, the only difference being they give you the chance to win a mega jackpot prize. An example of a roulette game with a jackpot is the Age of the Gods Roulette, which features four progressive jackpot prizes. The RTP of the game is 94.74% and its house-edge is around 5.2%

When playing progressive roulette, a small amount is deducted from your wager and added to an overall pot. The jackpot is triggered randomly during the spins, and the amount is reset to the seed value when a player wins. Moreover, some games like Age of the Gods Bonus Roulette Live have an additional side bet option called a bonus bet. Placing this wager allows you to play a special bonus round if the white ball lands in the bonus pocket.

How to Play

Progressive roulette follows European roulette rules. The wheel features numbers 1 to 36, and a single zero. There’s also a bonus pocket, which is placed next to the zero. However, the house edge of the game (5.2%) is the same as American roulette due to the addition of the bonus pocket.

The first thing you should do when playing jackpot roulette variations is to place your bet. To do this, choose a chip denomination and then click on the bet you’d like to make on the roulette table. You can bet on a single number, a range of numbers, odd or even numbers, or colours - black or red. You’re also required to wager on the bonus side bet to qualify for the jackpot or RNG bonus round.

No-Zero Roulette

Also known as Zero-Edge roulette, No-Zero roulette is a unique type of roulette because there’s no zero. The game is played using a wheel with 36 numbers since there’s no zero pocket.

If you’re looking for a roulette variation with low margins and bigger payouts, then Zero-Edge roulette is your best bet. The lack of the zero pockets eliminates the house edge, hence you get paid at true or straight odds.

How to Play

A round of Zero-Edge roulette starts with the placing of wagers. The game uses the standard roulette table, and you can bet on any of the 36 numbers or a set of numbers. When you’re done placing your bets you can start the game by clicking on the play button. The payouts for some of the popular bets are as follows.

• Straight bets: Pays 35:1
• Split: Pays 17:1
• Street: Pays 11:1
• Corner: Pays 6:1
• Odd/even: Pays 1:1
• Red/black: Pays 1:1
• 1 to 18: Pays 1:1
• 19 to 36: Pays 1:1

Now that you’re familiar with the top roulette variations offered in our casino, it’s time to look at some of the strategies you can use when playing the game. There are several tried and tested roulette strategies that you’re able to use to improve your chances of beating the wheel.

Some of these systems are a bit reserved and hence more suitable for beginners, whilst others tend to be more aggressive. Examples of the latter is Labouchere system, which tend to favour high rollers and players who’re ready to take bigger risks. Let’s dive into how to win in roulette using some of the top strategies.

The Paroli Strategy

The Paroli System is a conservative betting strategy ideal for beginners. The strategy is based on positive progression, unlike the Martingale System which encourages you to chase your losses. This means that you can only increase your bet when you win.

When using the Paroli Strategy, players are advised to maintain their stake after a loss. This means that if you bet £1.00 on 18 and your wager loses, you should bet £1.00 in the next round. You then double your bet amount after a win, up to a maximum of three consecutive wins. After the third win, you go back to your initial stake size.

The Parlay Strategy

Like the Paroli System, the Parlay Strategy is among the best roulette strategies to use if you’re a novice player. The system is also based on positive progression, which means you only increase your stake size when winning.

To get the best results when using this online roulette strategy, it’s important that you select a bet size before making your first wager. The trick is to double the stake amount when you win a round. This goes on until you achieve the maximal profit. You return to the initial stake and repeat the process when you lose.

The Labouchere Strategy

The Labouchere Strategy might look complicated at first look but it’s also a good roulette strategy for beginners. The objective of this system is to help you reach a goal in terms of winnings. The strategy works best with bets that have a 50% chance of winning such as odd and even numbers, black and red, 1 to 18, and 19 to 36.

The first thing you should do when using this strategy is to set a goal and break it down into smaller numbers. Next, add the first and last numbers to get your bet amount for the first round. If your bet wins, you cross out both numbers and repeat the process with the rightmost and leftmost numbers. If you lose, you should add the number to the end of the sequence and continue playing.

The Reverse Labouchere Strategy

As the name suggests, the Reverse Labouchere Strategy is the opposite of Labouchere. The betting system works well with even bets.

When implementing the Reverse Labouchere strategy in roulette, you start by selecting the sequence on which you’ll base your wagers. Your first stake should be the sum of the first and last number in the series. If you win, add the number to the end of the sequence and continue playing. If you lose, cross the two figures from the sequence and move on to the two outermost numbers.

The Contra D’Alembert Strategy

The Contra D’Alembert Strategy is a simple betting system that can help you to minimise potential losses and maximise profits. The system is straightforward, which makes it one of the best roulette strategies for beginners.

When using this strategy, you should start with selecting a value for your base stake. The rule is that you should increase the bet size by the same amount after every win. Consequently, you should decrease your stake size by the same amount if you lose. 

You should use the system when making even money wagers like odd or even, black or red, 1 to 18, and 19 to 36.

The 3 2 Strategy

The 3:2 System is one of those roulette strategies that give you a decent shot at winning without much risk. The system combines column bets and colour bets (red or black) on each spin. This combination covers over 70% of the wheel, giving you better chances of winning.

When implementing this strategy, you should start by deciding your unit bet. You then proceed to wager three units of your stake on red and two units on any of the three columns.

The 1 3 2 6 Strategy

Like the Paroli System, 1 3 2 6 is a roulette strategy that requires you to increase your bet size progressively after a winning spin. The goal is to maximise your profits after four consecutive winning rounds. The system works best with even bets.

The first thing that you need to do when using this system is to choose your base stake size. Here’s how to implement this strategy in roulette when playing at Betfair.

• Stake £2.00 on the first spin.
• Increase your bet to £6.00 in the second spin if you win.
• Wager £4.00 on the third spin
• Bet £12.00 on the fourth spin
• Return to £2.00 after a loss and repeat.

• The progressive jackpot in jackpot roulette can be triggered on any spin to award you a jackpot payout.
• No-Zero roulette does not have a house edge due to the elimination of the zero pocket. The variant pays at true odds of 35:1 for straight-up bets.
• You can play any variation of roulette offered at Betfair Casino on your mobile, including live roulette.
• The Parlay, Paroli, and Contra D’Alembert Systems are the best roulette strategies for beginners.
• When using the Paroli Betting System, you should double your stake size for three consecutive wins but return to your base stake after a loss.
• The Labouchere, Reverse Labouchere, and Contra D’Alembert systems work best with even bets.
• The Contra D’Alembert Strategy requires you to increase or decrease your stake by one unit when you win or lose, respectively.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading our roulette variations and strategies guide, and you liked the tips we shared. If you did, we welcome you to read more articles created by our team of experts. If you’re new to roulette, we have a number of articles that you can use to learn how to play the game. For instance, new players who don't know roulette at all, can read our beginners guide about the wheel, table and most common roulette bets types. We also have articles about how to play roulette and the basic rules of the game.

You can also use our strategy articles and game guides to learn how to play baccarat, blackjack, craps, and slots. But please remember you should always play responsibly, and if you need more information about problem gambling please visit our safe gambling page.

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