Only a few casino games come close to roulette when it comes to popularity. It’s a real classic that has been around for over two centuries, and players still like it because it’s fun, fast-paced, and can be rewarding.

Despite the popularity of games like slots, ruleta still tops the charts in online casinos and land-based venues. This is especially true with the newest iterations that have introduced special features to the classic game, like bonuses and multipliers.

There are many different online casino ruleta variants you can try, and I’ll help you narrow down the choice by introducing you to some of the hottest roulette variants right now.

How Online Roulette Works: RNG vs. Live Dealer

When you decide to play the roulette game online, you will quickly notice that there are two main ways to play it: through a computer simulation using a digitalized version of the wheel, powered by a random number generator (RNG) for the outcomes, and as a live dealer game that’s played with a real, physical wheel, and streamed in real time.

Both options have their strengths and weaknesses, so let’s compare them:

  • RNG Roulette: It’s fast and smooth. It’s up to you to create your own pace, because it’s only you on the roulette table – so you decide when you want to press the ‘Spin’ button. There’s a computer program running in the background that randomly picks a number for each spin, but the result is decided based on the complex algorithm, which means that it cannot be hacked or altered. The result is delivered within seconds, so RNG roulette is ideal if you prefer a quicker pace. It’s also often available in demo mode, which means you can try it for free.
  • Live Dealer Roulette: This type of online roulette is played on a real roulette wheel. The action is usually streamed live from a specialized studio or the casino floor of some popular land-based casino. There’s often a real dealer that spins the wheel, so live casino roulette is as close to playing in real life as possible. However, there’s usually a limited betting time, and you have to wait for the round to end to get the result. Also, live dealer roulette is not available in demo mode.

Classic Roulette Variants, Gameplay, and Odds

Regardless if you choose to play RNG or live dealer online roulette, chances are you will come across the three ‘classic’ roulette variants: the American, European, and French one. Each of these variants has its own rules and odds, so you should get familiar with them to know which one suits you the best.

American Roulette

You will easily find this variant at most online casinos. It’s a classic one and was invented by the Las Vegas casino operators when roulette was first brought to America. It uses a wheel that has 38 pockets in total, including the standard numbers from 1 to 36, and two green pockets with the numbers 0 and 00.

The return-to-player ratio of the American variant is 94.74%, with the house edge set at 5.26% – which means that this is not the most rewarding variant. But, if the special Surrender rule is in place, you can get half of your bet back if you have wagered on an even-money bet and the ball landed on zero.

European Roulette

European roulette is a favorite for many players and the most widely available variant out there. Every online casino has several European roulette games in its repertoire, and it’s popular because it features only one zero and numbers 1 to 36.

With just one zero on the wheel, the house edge is lower, at 2.70%, and the RTP is 97.30%, which is not only higher than the American variant, but it’s also higher than the majority of slot games. If you’re planning to use a roulette strategy, the European is one of the best roulette versions you should try.

French Roulette

The French roulette variant is often seen as the most prestigious one, but that’s largely due to the posh layout. But, it introduces one major difference that can alter the odds, and it’s the special La Partage and En Prison rules, which are active for even-money bets and can increase the RTP of this game to 98.70%, with the house edge being as low as 1.30%.

How to Find the Best Ruleta Version For You

Besides the three classic variants, which are readily available at hundreds of online casinos, there are many different roulette variants that have come as a product of these classic variants. For example, Mini Roulette is a game that uses a wheel with just 13 pockets, while Lightning Roulette is a live dealer game where you can hit a 500x multiplier and get a payout of 500 times your wager.

You should start by looking for legitimate, licensed, and reliable casino sites that offer both RNG and live dealer versions. This way, you can try them both, and pick the style that fits you the most. You can easily switch between the two, and more often than not, you can even claim a bonus at the casino site to boost your initial deposit.

Read the rules of the game before you start, get familiar with the odds, and choose a solid ruleta strategy that will help you manage your bankroll effectively.