Roulette is a fun and exciting game – so it is only fair to expect the same from playing Online Roulette in South Africa. Playing casino games online is all about getting the casino experience at your own convenience, and not settling for less.Being over two centuries old, Roulette has made its mark as one of the favourite table games in South Africa and beyond. Players can enjoy a fun Roulette experience online and make some cash in the process.
Online Roulette is the same as Roulette you would play in a land-based casino in South Africa (without the trip to the casino). Depending on where you play it online, many factors such as customer service, graphics, quality of gameplay, etc. may differ – that is why it is vital that you find a reputable South African online casino that will offer you the best gambling experience.
The three main parts Online Roulette consists of are a Roulette board, a wheel and a ball.
Online Roulette Board
Roulette Boards have a zero and numbers 1 to 36 in outlined squares (The American version has an additional double zero on the board). Numbers 1 to 36 will either be red or black, and the zero and double zero are usually green. Other sections on a Roulette board are 1 to 12, 13 to 24, 25 to 36, Odd, Even, Black and Red.
Online Roulette Wheel
The Roulette wheel also has a zero, numbers 1 to 36 (the same applies to the two-zero-pocket on the American version). Numbers 1 to 36 will also either be red or black, and the zero and double zero are also usually green.
How to Play Online Roulette
To play Roulette, players need to bet by placing chips in the outlined squares of the number they think the ball will end up on the Roulette wheel. Alternatively, South African players can opt for a combination of numbers to bet on. Combinations players can bet on are: first, second or third dozen; Even or Odd (the zero and the double zero are not considered as Even, nor Odd); a line of numbers, a set of numbers, a column of numbers etc. This is the thing real money gaming is made of!
Once the bet has been placed, all the player will need to do is hit the Spin or Deal button (may differ from one website to another). The Roulette ball will then bounce around on the Roulette wheel until it comes to a standstill in a numbered slot. If the ball ends up on a number you placed a bet on, you win the amount that your bet was worth. If it lands on a number you did not bet on, you come away empty handed.
The History of the Roulette Game
Roulette is a French word that means “small wheel”. Mathematician and Physicist Blaise Pascal is said to have first introduced Roulette in the 1700s in France. Apparently, his intentions were not to create a casino game, but a machine which could function without the use of energy from external sources. He might not have gotten what he was aiming for, but his invention was definitely not a hit-and-miss. Instead, he laid the groundwork for what has become one of the greatest casino games in the world.
The number zero was introduced to it by Francois Blanc in 1842 when he was designing the Roulette game for King Charles, after decades of the game remaining the same since its invention.
The Roulette Game: European, American and French Online Roulette
South African Players have a choice when it comes to playing Online Roulette, and it might be a difficult one to make. The major types of Roulette are European Roulette, French Roulette and American Roulette. In order to choose which variety of Roulette you want to play, you need to know how it differs from the others.
European Roulette
French Roulette
American Roulette
Single or double zero
Single
Single
Single and Double
Total Numbers
37
37
38
Black Numbers
18
18
18
Red Numbers
18
18
18
House edge
2.70%
1.35%
5.25%
The Recommended Version of Roulette
The different versions of Roulette are available online in South Africa. Anyone with the players’ best interests at heart would recommend European Roulette or French Roulette. The double zero slot in the American version means that there are more slots, which means the odds that the ball will land on the number(s) betted on by the player decreases (as opposed to the European and French version).
Although the French Roulette wheel looks exactly like the European Roulette wheel, there is one fundamental difference which brings the house edge down to 1.35%. The La Partage rule applies to French Roulette. La Partage means “sharing or dividing rule”. This rule just means that the player gets half of the worth of their bet if the ball lands on the green slot if the bet was one of two options on an outside bet (for example Odd/Even, 1-18/19-36, Red/Black).
Online Roulette FAQs
1. Is Online Roulette rigged?
In South Africa there are laws and regulations which prohibit Online Casinos from operating unethically and illegally, but that does not mean there are no Tom, Dick or Harry’s out there who rig Online Games. It is also important to realise that there are many legitimate casinos online which comply with the Gambling laws and regulations. But South African players must also keep in mind that Online Casinos are business trying to make a profit, so losing a bet does not necessarily mean that a game is rigged – it could just be that the odds weren’t in your favour.
2. How do I find a good Online Roulette table in South Africa?
Firstly, the European and French Roulette tables are preferable as you have a better chance of winning. Secondly, thorough research can be your best friend before you spend money on just any Online Game. Look for reputable websites with casino reviews and compare which Online Casinos in South Africa are recommended as the best. Online Casinos powered by Microgaming and Casinos offering Evolution Games should have a good Online Roulette experience in store for you.
3. What is the difference between an inside and outside bet?
Inside bets refer to bets placed on the section inside the Roulette board – the number grid which consists of the numbers 1-36.
Outside bets refer to bets placed on all other options of number groupings which are specified on the surrounding area of the number grid.
4. Is it a good idea to go into an Online Roulette Game with a strategy?
Factually, using strategies in Roulette Games is not something that is necessarily lucrative because it is not predictable where the ball will land next. There are no guaranteed wins – only which way the odds will swing.
5. What are the things I need to play Online Roulette?
When playing for real money, you will need a way of making a deposit (e.g. Credit card). You will also need a computer or mobile device which is connected to the internet to play from.
6. Can I play Online Roulette for free in South Africa?
Yes. Many Online Casinos in South Africa give players the opportunity to play Roulette for free online. This is a great way for beginners to learn the ropes and avid players can do it just in the name of fun without the pressure of playing with money.
Glossary
Street Bet
A bet which is placed on three numbers at once.
Straight Bet
The classic bet of placing the wager on one number. The chances of winning are very slim, but players can win their betting amount multiplied by 35.
Low Bet
Bets which are placed on the first eight numbers.
High Bet
Bets which are placed from nineteen to thirty-six.
Dozen Bet
An Outside bet on either of the three consecutive numbers of dozens (1-12, 13-24 and 25-36).
Roulette Layout
The flat side of the Roulette Table with the grid where bets are placed.
Roulette Table
The Roulette layout as well as the Roulette Wheel.
Wheel Clocking
Recording the history of a Roulette Wheel to look for patterns.
Choppy Game
A Roulette Game in which the player and the house are both winning, but in turns.
Croupier
The operator of the Casino Roulette Table.
Read up on other exciting online casino games here.
