Roulette Variations in New Zealand: A Player’s Guide
Roulette is one of those evergreen NZ roulette games that feels familiar the moment you see the wheel – and whether you prefer to play roulette New Zealand style on a buzzing casino floor or online from home, the appeal is simple: place your chips, watch the spin, and hope the ball lands where you want it!
Today, we’re going to be looking at the different roulette game types in NZ you’re most likely to find when gambling, explain how the basics work, and share some simple roulette strategies NZ beginners can use to play with more confidence.
If you’re looking for the best online casinos to play roulette at, don’t forget to check out the top online NZ casinos for Kiwis!
The Basics: How to Play Roulette in NZ
At its core, roulette is a game of prediction and chance – and you simply need to place bets on where you think the ball will land after the wheel has finished spinning. The table layout gives you a range of betting options. You can choose to back a single number for a bigger potential return, choose a group of numbers like a row or a dozen to balance risk and reward, or pick much more likely outcomes – like red or black and odd or even.
Once the dealer announces no more bets, the wheel spins, the ball drops, and the pocket on the wheel where the ball lands determines which bets are paid for that round.
Common Roulette Variations at Kiwi Casinos
New Zealand players will generally come across three main versions: American Roulette with a double zero, European Roulette with a single zero, and electronic roulette terminal – although the latter is something you’ll usually see only in land-based casinos. Online, all roulette is virtual/electronic.
Below, we’ll explore some of the main differences bewteen the different roulette game types in NZ.
American Roulette (Double Zero)
American Roulette includes both a single zero and a double zero pocket. That extra pocket may not sound like much, but it actually increases the number of outcomes – and, therefore, the game’s house edge. On an American roulette layout, you’ll see a green 0 and a green 00, and all standard inside and outside bets are available across the felt.
Now, because of the double zero, the odds on even-money bets remain the same, but the frequency of outcomes that beat those bets changes slightly, which is why many experienced players prefer to avoid the double zero wheel when they have a choice.
European Roulette (Single Zero)
European Roulette is the most well known and commonly played version of the game, and it features a single zero. When it comes to Kiwi roulette options, the European variant is, by far, the most popular – and that’s because, with only one green pocket, the number of losing outcomes for even-money bets is lower than on a double zero wheel, and the house edge is therefore smaller.
Everything else, from the betting options available to you, to the payouts remains the same – so, if you’re ever offered the choice to play European roulette or American roulette, you should always choose the European variation of the game.
You will find European roulette available at all of the top online casinos, and the best live casinos offer it, too.
Electronic Roulette Terminals
Finally, in some land-based casinos, you’ll find electronic roulette terminals. These have become quite common across Kiwi casino floors and you’ll also find them in some online casino lobbies. ERTs, as they’re sometimes called, simply reproduce the wheel and ball outcomes either through a live, physical wheel or through certified random number generation, while letting you place bets on a touchscreen.
Now, the game’s core rules and payouts are the same as the other two versions of the game we just looked at – and you can often choose whether to play the European or American variation.
The main benefit of playing on an ERT is the fact that you enjoy heightened privacy – and faster game pace. There are no dealers having to worry about collecting chips and paying winnings, and this means a larger number of game rounds can be played. Any winnings are automatically credited to your account, too, so this isn’t something you need to worry about.
For new players, electronic tables offer a friendly way to learn the flow of NZ roulette games too – which is why, here at DashTickets, we always recommend them to newbie roulette players!
Simple Roulette Strategies for Beginners
Roulette is ultimately a game of chance, and anyone that tells you they have a “system” for winning – is lying to you – it really is that simple. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a clear plan to the table – and you should begin by selecting which table is most suitable for you.
If you want the best long-term value, for example, choose European Roulette with a single zero whenever it’s available. If you see a table that returns part of your stake on zero for even-money bets – often offered on French Roulette – then you should also try to play this game, as the odds are slightly higher.
If you want to enjoy a slower pace – or prefer not to worry about what other players at the table are doing (or want to play more rounds), then electronic roulette is worth considering.
Next, set a budget and a simple staking approach that fits comfortably inside it. Flat betting, where you keep your bet size the same, regardless of results, is probably the most suitable approach for new roulette players – and it helps you avoid chasing losses. If you like mixing things up, you can split your bets between a steady outside bet for table time and a smaller inside bet or two for the occasional more exciting action.
It also helps to remember that previous results do not affect future results. Every roulette spin is 100% independent from the previous round – and even if a number hasn’t shown up for hundreds of spins, it does not make it more likely to appear in future rounds.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Roulette Game for You
When you look at the roulette variations New Zealand players see most often, the decision is surprisingly simple. If you care about value and want the most player friendly version of the game, choose European Roulette with a single zero whenever you can.
If you want more privacy, more game rounds – or want to take your time without worrying about other players – then electronic terminals are a solid option. Whichever version of the game you ultimately decide to play, always ensure you’re playing at a reputable online casino.
The top paying casino sites in NZ all offer a wide variety of game options, tons of payment methods, and fast cashouts – and you can find our recommended casinos right here at DashTickets – all of which have been hand-picked and tested by our team of online gambling experts!
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