Is Online Roulette Rigged? 7 Myths Debunked
There are a lot of rumours out there about playing online roulette at casino sites. Let’s address these head on to see whether there’s any truth to them.
Myth 1: Online Roulette Games Are Rigged
Fact: Reputable online casinos must use certified random number generators (RNGs). This ensures fair, random game outcomes. Not only are these RNGs required by law, they’re also regularly tested by independent third parties.
Online roulette is, therefore, provably fair. The rumour that the algorithms can pass auditors' tests and still fix the outcome is baseless.
Myth 2: Live Dealer Roulette Is Fairer than Electronic Roulette
Fact: Live dealer roulette is more transparent, but just as fair as electronic roulette at a licensed casino. Live wheels add human randomness. You may like it. But, with proper oversight and regulation, neither method is better.
So when choosing between real or digital wheel spins, It really comes down to your personal preference. That’s all.
Myth 3: Roulette dealers Can Hit Certain Numbers by Choice
Fact: Dealers cannot determine where the ball lands. The outcome depends on variables. These include the force and direction of the spin, the wheel's deceleration, and how the ball bounces off the dividers. This means that even if dealers are trying to hit specific numbers, the chances of them doing so are virtually nil.
Also, casinos monitor stats to find improbable patterns. So, if a dealer ever hit chosen numbers consistently, they'd be out on their ear pretty quickly.
Myth 4: Live Dealer Games Are Not Really Live
Fact: Yes, yes they are. You can test this yourself by interacting with the dealer or other players. The rumour that games are pre-recorded is quickly debunked when you bring up last night’s darts match and everyone joins in.
Myth 5: The Right Betting System Can Guarantee Wins
Fact: Sorry, but no betting system can beat the inherent house edge in the long run. Systems like Martingale might seem profitable at times. They help recoup losses. But, by increasing bets so much, you risk losing heavily in a short time.
If you hear of anyone winning big with a system, it's likely just luck. The spins favoured them for a while, so they won. They then smartly walked away before they lost it all.
Myth 6: You Should Bet on Numbers that Are ‘Due’
Fact: If you accept that online roulette is random, then you won’t be surprised to learn that the concept of ‘due’ numbers is fundamentally flawed. Every number has exactly the same probability on each spin, regardless of how many spins it has gone without hitting.
Some online casino games will let you know which numbers are supposedly ‘due’, but all this means is that they haven’t been hit for a while. You can safely ignore them. Or bet on them. The odds are the same.
Myth 7: Avoiding the 0 and 00 Gives You Better Odds
Fact: This is quite a funny one… in both senses of the word. The 0 and 00 have precisely the same probability as all the other numbers – and why wouldn’t they? Avoiding them won’t make a blind difference to your overall chances or reduce the house edge.
Each number, including 0 and 00, has an equal 1 in 37 (for single zero wheels) or 1 in 38 (for double zero wheels) chance of landing. Also, the house edge remains the same regardless of which numbers you bet on. This changes for some variations of roulette, like double-ball roulette.
Deciphering House Edge and RTP
Your expected average loss over the long run playing at an established or new online casino in Ireland is determined by the house edge – the average profit the casino holds from all players’ wagers in the long run. It is a statistical average, expressed as a percentage from the overall wagers.
For example, in European roulette the house edge is 2.7%. This means for every €100 wagered by players at the tables, the casino expects to retain €2.70 in profit. The remaining €97.30 is paid back out in player winnings. But this should me meant as a statistical average and does not apply to short sessions of betting.
The opposite of house edge (HE) is the Return to Player (RTP) metric. It is the percentage of players' wagers they will, on average, win back over the long run. The relationship between the house edge and RTP is: RTP = 1 – HE.
Which Online Roulette Variants Are Best to Play?
It's important to understand the subtle differences between the most common variants available at online roulette sites like Playzee casino when choosing which to play.
If you want to find the best games at online roulette sites in Ireland, check this list. It ranks them by house edge, from best to worst.
- French Roulette (1.35%–2.70% house edge): A wheel with a single zero. Bets made with the La Partage or En Prison rules have the lowest house edge (1.35%). These rules return half of lost even-money bets if the ball lands on zero, or hold the bet for the next spin respectively. For all other bets, a 2.70% house edge applies.
- European Roulette (2.70% house edge): Another single zero wheel, but here there’s no La Partage or En Prison rule.
- Multi Wheel Roulette (2.70% house edge): Plays on multiple European roulette wheels at once, up to 8. You have the chance to make the same bets across all wheels for more chances (at the cost of multiplying your stake), but the house edge stays the same.
- Pinball European Roulette (2.70% house edge): The ball bounces through pins like a pinball machine. The betting table is the same as the classic one.
- Multiplayer Roulette (2.70%–5.26%): A fun online game where you can play by watching, following, and interacting with other players. In is played on traditional European or American wheels. The house edges of the classical versions of roulette apply.
- Double Action European Roulette (2.70%–5.40%): Uses one ball and two number rings on a double European wheel. You can make bets on either or both rings. The house edge depends on the specific bet; it is between 2.70% and 5.40% for single ring bets and between 5.33% and 12.27% for double ring bets.
- Mini Roulette (3.85%–7.69% house edge): Uses European rules on a smaller 13 number wheel. The smaller wheel size creates a higher house edge. Any bet that does not cover zero has a house edge of 3.85%. Any bet that does cover zero has a house edge of 7.69% and should be avoided.
- Pinball American Roulette (5.26% house edge): The action is the same as for the European version, but there is a double zero which increases the house edge.
- American Roulette (5.26%–7.89% house edge): The double zero wheel (containing both 0 and 00) creates a higher house edge than in European roulette. This house edge applies to all bets except the five number bet, which has a house edge of 7.89%. You should avoid this variant where possible.
- Double Action American Roulette (5.26%–16.82%): Uses one ball and two number rings on a double American wheel. The house edge depends on the specific bet; it is between 5.26% and 15.78% for single ring bets and between 10.24% and 16.82% for double ring bets.
- Double Ball Roulette with single zero (5.33%–14.68% house edge): Uses a single zero wheel but spins two balls instead of one. All regular bets apply across both balls. Unlike in classical roulette, each bet has its own house edge. Inside bets on one to three numbers have the lowest house edge (5.33–5.88%).
- Double Ball Roulette with double zero (5.33%–16.89% house edge): Uses a double zero wheel but spins two balls instead of one. All regular bets apply across both balls. Unlike in classical roulette, each bet has its own house edge. Inside bets on one or two numbers have the lowest house edge (2.77% and 2.99% respectively).