Online Roulette Guide for Players in Michigan

Online Roulette Explained

Roulette is a wheel-spinning game that consists of a wheel, ball, and betting table. The goal is to correctly predict where on the wheel the ball will rest when the wheel stops spinning. A dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball following a round of betting by the players. There are 37 or 38 numbers on the roulette wheel, depending on the variant you choose, and numerous betting options. 

At a land-based casino, roulette is a mechanical game with a physical wheel and ball. Online roulette provides a virtual version of the game that is powered by a random number generator (RNG). This software randomizes each spin of the wheel, ensuring all outcomes are random chance. Live dealer versions of roulette are also available online, offering human dealers and real-time gameplay through livestreams. 

Roulette Bets

In concept, roulette is quite simple and easy to learn. It is purely luck-based, so you don’t need to worry about developing any new skills to play. However, to take control of your bankroll and make the most of roulette, it is important to know about all the available bets. There are a lot of betting options that make roulette more complex than it first seems.

Bets on the roulette table are separated into “Outside” and “Inside” bets. This essentially means that one collection of bets is found on the outside of the betting grid, and the other group on the inside. Although, there are also differences in how the Outside and Inside bets pay out, with Inside bets paying better and Outside bets offering more chance of winning.

Outside Bets

• Red / Black – The famous roulette bet, this wager involves predicting if the ball will land on a red or black number. Red/Black has odds of 48.65% on European tables and 47.37% on American tables and is a 1:1 wager. 
• Odd / Even – Another 1:1 bet, the Odd/Even option is what you wager on the ball landing on either an odd or even number. This option also had odds of 48.65% for European roulette and 47.37% for American tables.
• High / Low – The last of the so-called 50/50 or 1:1 options are High/Low. Here, you will bet on whether the ball lands on a number with 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high). Again, the odds for this bet are 48.65% on European roulette and 47.37% on American games.
• Columns – A roulette table can be split into different sections of groups of numbers. One bet option is columns, which is a wager on the ball dropping on one column of 12 numbers. It carried odds of 32.4% on European tables and 31.6% on American tables for the following columns: 

• Column 1 – numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34
• Column 2 – numbers 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35
• Column 3 – numbers 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
• Dozens – Another way of splitting the betting grid is with dozens, which is a bet on 12 numbers within a square on the table and consecutively on the roulette wheel. Like columns, the odds for a dozen bet are 32.4% on European/French games and 31.6% on American roulette:
  • 1st 12 – Bet on numbers 1 to 12.
  • 2nd 12 – Bet on numbers 13 to 24.
  • 3rd 12 – Bet on numbers 25 to 36.

Inside Bets

• Straight Up – The best-paying bet in roulette, a straight up also has the least chance of hitting. To make this bet, simply wager on any single number on the roulette wheel that pays out 35:1. 
• Split – Placing a chip on the line that separates two numbers is a Split and means you bet on both numbers. The potential payout for a Split is 17:1. 
• Street – A wager on any three consecutive numbers, such as 4, 5, and 6. A Street bet has a payout of 11:1. 
• Corner – Similar to a Split, the Corner involves betting a number by splitting your chip. This time the bet goes on the cross lines that connect any four numbers. Corner bets pay out at 8:1. 
• Line – A double version of the Street bet that allows you to bet on two rows of three numbers. It has payout odds of 6:1. 

Roulette Variants

Online roulette gave software providers the opportunity to take the classic game and build on it with interesting features. When you play at a Michigan online casino, you can find the following classic and unique roulette variants:

• European roulette: Based on the original casino version of roulette and the most popular variant, European Roulette has 37 numbers – 1 to 36 and a single 0. It has a more favorable house edge than American Roulette at 2.7%. 
• American roulette: An update to the European game that was adopted in the US during the 1800s, American roulette makes one crucial change. Alongside the standard 0 on the wheel, American games add a double zero (“00”) section. The result is a worse house edge of 5.26%, but often more affordable entry bet limits. 
• French roulette: Another variant of European Roulette, French versions include the “en prison” and “la partge” side bets. These options allow you to recoup some of your wager should the ball land on zero. French Roulette has a house edge of 2.7%.  
• 3D roulette: This is a version of European Roulette created by Playtech, one of the leading iGaming software providers. It takes the standard game and presents it in a slick graphical interface with a 3D wheel to make the RNG game more immersive. 
• Mini roulette: Several software providers offer Mini Roulette, which puts gameplay on a smaller roulette wheel with just 13 pockets. It has the numbers 1 to 12 and a single 0. Fewer numbers mean a higher chance of winning, but also smaller payouts. The house edge of Mini Roulette is 7.69%
• Live dealer roulette: Online casinos offer live versions of roulette. These games are immersive and exciting, adding authenticity of a real casino experience. Games stream live to your device from a casino location, with real dealers, a real wheel, and a real ball. You can interact with the dealer and watch the action in real-time. 

Understanding Roulette Odds and House Edge

However, the important thing to remember is that the house edge is an average. It does not apply to every single bet because streaks are possible. You could win three bets in a row and beat the house edge or lose completely to it and lose all your bankroll. So, the house edge is a profit that is taken over enough spins of the roulette wheel. 

When it comes to roulette, you will see there is a difference in house edge between European and American variants. Why does European Roulette have a house edge of 2.7% and American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%? It is all about the 00 pocket on the American roulette wheel. 

In roulette, the zero pocket on the wheel is the house edge. Because American Roulette has two pockets for zero, the house edge is bigger. 

Online Roulette Software

If you play roulette at a land-based casino and then play online, you will see many similarities between the two games. All the rules, bets, and functions are the same. However, there are also some crucial differences. 

While land-based casinos allow you to immerse yourself in a genuine experience, online roulette offers a virtual representation of the game. Game providers turn to software to power roulette games online. This software is known as a random number generator (RNG), which literally randomizes each spin of the roulette wheel. 

The important thing to know about RNG is that the outcome of a spin is never known. It cannot be influenced by the player, the software provider, or the online casino. RNGs are an excellent way to ensure fairness and random outcomes. Leading iGaming software providers allow their RNGs to be independently tested to guarantee they are fair. 

Common Strategies for Playing Roulette

• The Martingale – A popular betting system, the Martingale involves doubling your bet every time you lose and resetting the bet to the original amount when you win. You can choose any original bet you want based on your bankroll. 
• D’Alembert – Taking the same principle of the Martingale – increase bet on a loss and decrease it on a win – the D’Alembert only works on even money roulette bets. You start with 5 units, such as $5 (5 x $1) and decrease the bet by 1 unit if you win and increase it by 1 unit if you win. 
• Fibonacci – A well-known number sequence, the Fibonacci involves adding up the two previous numbers. An example is 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on. Applying this to roulette, you use the first ten numbers of the sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and 55. Only for even money bets, the system means you bet the next number in the sequence if you lose and jump back two numbers if you win.

Tips for Playing Online Roulette

We’ve asked our team of experts to put together top tips that any roulette player in Michigan can follow to enhance their gameplay and increase their chances of winning:

• Place smaller bets: Keep your bankroll moving by making smaller bets. It can be tempting to bet big on a 50/50 wager, such as Red or Black, but it is smarter to stretch your game with smaller wagers. 
• Outside bets: The aim of roulette is to reduce your risk in an attempt to make a profit. Outside bets are the best option to achieve this. They are not the biggest paying bets, but they spread your wager out to increase your chances of winning. 
• Demo mode roulette: We fully recommend playing free roulette at a Michigan online casino. Free play allows you to test a new variant and practice betting options. Once you feel confident, you can move on to real money play.
• Roulette bonuses: All of the MI casino sites we recommend have promotions. Bonuses are a fantastic way to boost your bankroll and test a new casino. Remember to always read the T&Cs to ensure you are getting a good deal. 
• Gamble responsibly: Before anything else, it is essential to gamble safely and within your means. Set your budget from money you can afford to lose, and remember that roulette should be fun. If you feel there is an issue, online casinos have resources to provide help.