Roulette is a game that’s practically synonymous with casinos, having been one of the centrepieces of the famous Monte Carlo casino for centuries now. It’s one of the most unique table games on offer, foregoing cards or dice in favour of its unique wheel.
As casino play has moved online, the game of Roulette has adapted to keep up with new technology. Players can now experience a game of Roulette online, as well as a variety of different Roulette formats all available on the same site. One of the more recent evolutions has been the introduction of live Roulette, but what sets this particular format apart from other online offerings?
- Gameplay and mechanics
Unlike other digital Roulette formats, live Roulette utilises a live dealer rather than a computer to control and manage the game. This creates a very different gameplay feel, as the game proceeds in real-time along with the live streamed footage of the dealer in their studio.
This allows the game to use a physical Roulette wheel, instead of a digital representation of one, and a real ball, with pure physics determining the outcome of the spin. Online Roulette games use a computer algorithm known as a random number generator (RNG) to simulate the random nature of the spinning wheel and ball, ensuring that the result of each spin in fair and random.
In both a live and online Roulette game the user interface is much the same, with players able to place their wagers through their screen.
- The player experience
Whether any given player prefers a live game or an online one is entirely down to their own personal preference. But these two types of Roulette do offer a slightly different player experience compared to each other.
The addition of the live dealer into proceedings creates a very different atmosphere to a game that’s conducted entirely digitally. What online Roulette games have instead is a greater degree of immediacy, as players can start a game as soon as they open the game instance.
In a live Roulette game, the order of play proceeds in a set manner with particular time frames given for the various phases of a round. As the game is conducted in real time players may join an instance part way through a previous round, requiring them to wait for their turn to play.
Players need to respect the time of both the dealer and other players when they’re in a live Roulette game, as delays or disruptions can negatively impact the experience for others. You can’t pause in live Roulette, but many other online Roulette games will give players more time to proceed at their own pace.
As you can see, live and online Roulette games are rather different to each other. Live Roulette offers a fusion between online play and a land-based casino experience, which many players are drawn to. On the other hand, online Roulette offers greater variety and options to players who prefer a more freeform experience.
