Roulette has often been described as the archetypal casino pastime, mostly because the game is truly random. The bounce of the ball against the spin of the wheel can’t be predicted, so the game epitomises trusting one’s luck. There’s another reason the game is so firmly associated with casinos, however: the equipment used in the game.
To ensure that roulette is fair, the wheel has to be set and balanced precisely within a heavy table that keeps the wheel stable and does not allow it to develop a bias. So table-top “play at home” versions of the game, although they exist, have to be set up very carefully each time they’re used, to make sure the game is delivering truly random numbers. A table that isn’t completely level or a bump of the wheel after setting it up can result in some numbers being more likely to come up than others; when this happens, the game is no substitute for the casino version, with its heavy, immovable tables and carefully balanced and calibrated wheels.
Online casinos have solved this problem to a large extent; the digital wheel is programmed to always deliver a random result, and there is no physical table to develop a bias and a tilt. The latest animations and sound effects add to the authentic casino experience, but some players still feel there’s something of the real-world casino experience missing. Live roulette online goes a step further towards eliminating this niggle; with a live croupier running every spin and the ability to interact with other players in real-time, live roulette online is as close to being in a real-world casino as you can get.
Lots of Sites to Choose from
There are hundreds of online casinos that offer roulette games, all of them competing fiercely for players. More and more casinos are now starting to offer live roulette options, along with live croupiers and dealers on other casino games, to attract players looking for the most genuine casino “feel”. Real-money casino sites also offer regular free bonus bets as incentives, which allow players to place bets for free but still keep any winnings that they make.
Of course, all bonus offers have terms and conditions attached (usually relating to when players are allowed to withdraw winnings), which need to be read and understood carefully. Nevertheless, free play bonuses are a useful aid to trying out several different casinos at no financial risk, until you find a site offering a live roulette game that appeals to you. For dedicated players, bonuses help extend their roulette playing time without increasing the risk to their own bankroll.
Practise for Free and Play for Real
There are just as many free casinos available online as there are real-money operations. Free casinos don’t use real money; players can bet and win credits only. So their primary market is those casino-games enthusiasts who don’t want to risk any money, but enjoy playing purely for fun. However, as long-term roulette success depends on finding a betting system that works for you and practising it until you can place your bets intuitively; free casinos have their uses for real-money gamblers as well. They’re a great practise ground in which to iron out any kinks in your betting system before you take on live roulette for real money.
With a little shopping around on the sites available, and some research into the many online casino review sites, a keen roulette player can find all the live roulette options they could hope for.