The game of Roulette is one that’s synonymous with casinos. For centuries, players have been gathering at tables to watch the iconic Roulette wheel spin and wager on which pocket the ball will land in.
But it’s not just physical Roulette wheels that players are watching anymore, thanks to the rise of online play and digital casino games. How much do you know about online Roulette games? Read on to find out.
The many variants of Roulette
You’ve probably heard of the major variants of Roulette: European, American and French. These three are the basis for most Roulette tables you’ll find in land-based casinos, with the chosen variety depending on the local preference.
But when it comes to online Roulette, there’s an even greater variety of different options for players to choose from. Alongside the standard formats you can find games like multi-wheel Roulette – where multiple wheels are in play – or mini-Roulette – with a smaller wheel design and different odds.
Another popular online variant is Lightning Roulette, which features random multipliers on different numbers to add an extra layer of unpredictability to the game.
The role of random number generators
Like other online casino games, online Roulette utilities computer algorithms known as random number generators (RNG). These algorithms aim to replicate the random nature of playing with a physical Roulette wheel in a land-based venue, where the influences of momentum and gravity drive the outcome of the game.
In an online Roulette game, the ball’s finishing position is determined by the RNG.
RNGs produce strings of hundreds to thousands of numbers in any given second – with each of those numbers corresponding to the Roulette wheel’s pockets. When play is initiated, the most recent number generated by the RNG is locked in, deciding the outcome of the spin.
RNGs are tested to ensure that they produce truly random results and are impossible to predict – ensuring that the outcome of the Roulette wheel’s spin remains completely unpredictable.
The evolution of live dealer Roulette
In recent years a hybrid form of online casino game has emerged – the live dealer format. This pairs together online players with live-streamed footage of a dealer operating out of a studio, handling physical game components.
Live dealer Roulette offers players a fusion of their online interface with the presence of a live croupier, rather than having the game operated by software. This creates a different sort of playstyle, with players having set time limits to make their wagers as the live croupier keeps the game moving along at a consistent pace.
Roulette demos
Many online casinos offer players the chance to play a demo version of at least some of their Roulette games. This allows players to learn the rules and familiarize themselves with that particular game’s mechanics without having to make any wagers.
Having the option to try a demo also gives players an opportunity to gauge whether that Roulette format suits their personal preferences.
Online Roulette is a different format of this classic casino game that offers a wide variety of options to players. With the use of RNGs these digital Roulette wheels are just as random in nature as a physical wheel, making sure that players get a fair game.
