Mastering Live Dealer Roulette: Strategies, Odds, and Smart Play
Live dealer roulette is the perfect blend of online convenience and a buzzing casino atmosphere. It also appeals to players who like their games to be dealt by a human rather than generated by an RNG.
A lot of online casino platforms are now offering roulette broadcast straight from a studio to your device. So, how can you make the most of live dealer roulette? Follow this guide for everything you need to know.
How Live Dealer Roulette Works
Live dealer roulette is broadcast directly from a studio or casino room using the latest streaming technology. Players can tune into the stream and place bets on the table. A human croupier spins the wheel and hosts the game.
The rules and gameplay of live dealer roulette are exactly the same as it would be in a normal casino. Players can bet on any numbers, along with other bets like odd or even, black or red, and so on. The dealer spins a ball around the wheel and wherever it comes to a stop is the winning number.
The live dealer roulette experience is social, with chat features so that you can interact with the host and other players. Just be polite, friendly, and respectful so everyone can enjoy their gaming.
Understanding Odds and the House Edge
The starting point for knowing how to win at live dealer roulette is understanding the odds. The payout for a single number is 35-1, while bets like odd-even and black-red are paid at 1-1.
No matter what type of bet you place, the house always has an edge in all types of roulette, including live dealer casino games. This is because there are actually 37 pockets on a including the green “0” slot on a European roulette wheel. Meanwhile, the American roulette wheel, which ironically came from France, has an extra “00” pocket, making 38 in total.
The 35-1 payouts on a single number are slightly less than the true odds of hitting. The same goes for any bet that you make and any betting system that you use.
Do Roulette Betting Systems Change the Odds?
Roulette betting systems were once touted as a way to beat the game. In reality, they do not change the odds or chances of winning a bet.
Take the famous Martingale system, for example, which encourages players to double their bets so that each subsequent loss is “covered”. The problem is, losing streaks still happens and, unless the player has a literally bottomless bankroll, the cost of doubling bets quickly becomes unsustainable.
The Martingale can be riskier than a flat betting strategy that involves betting the same, set amount that is comfortably within your bankroll.
Smart Play in Live Dealer Roulette
So, given that these betting strategies do not improve your chances, and can represent risky approaches, what does constitute smart play in live dealer roulette?
Choose Your Game Wisely
The only real control over the odds you have in roulette is choosing the best game. As mentioned earlier, European roulette offers better odds than American roulette. In fact, the house edge is 2.7% compared to 5.26%, which is nearly half.
In physical casinos, you won’t often have a choice. The tables on offer will depend on your location and the venue. Online casino platforms offer live dealer European roulette and American roulette, so you’re free to choose.
Unless you have a particular affinity to American roulette wheels, pick European to reduce the house edge.
Bankroll Management: The Key to Long-Term Play
Given that roulette is a game of chance, and the house has an edge, your focus should be on giving yourself a decent amount of play using funds that you can afford to use. This is the safest mentality and the key to keeping it fun at the tables. Any wins are a bonus.
Your betting strategy for live dealer roulette should therefore be based on good bankroll management. Start off by setting aside an amount that you wouldn’t mind losing. Then, play at stakes that allow you to place dozens or even hundreds of bets before going broke.
Take Outside Bets
Betting on a single number can be a thrilling experience, but there’s only a 1 in 37 chance the number will win (1 in 38 on an American wheel). If it hits, you’ll win big, but most of the time you’ll just lose the bet.
You can reduce the volatility of roulette by sticking to outside bets like odd or even, black or red, or covering sections of the wheel. If you want to bet on numbers, consider covering a bunch of numbers with very small amounts to spread your bets.
Using a combination of outside bets and bankroll management, you can make your time at the roulette table less risky and more enjoyable.
Avoid These Mistakes
Here are the common mistakes that people make when playing live dealer roulette that can ruin their experience:
- Playing at stakes that are too high for their bankroll.
- Choosing games with a high house edge.
- Thinking betting strategies can improve odds or guarantee wins.
- Always betting on single numbers.
- Being rude and not respecting the etiquette of a live dealer roulette environment.
Playing Smart in a Game of Chance
Roulette is a game of pure chance, with no way to improve the odds no matter when and what you decide to bet on. The real strategy in live dealer roulette is playing in a way that you enjoy, and that allows you to get the most out of your bankroll.
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