Mentally compare slots and roulette and you may come up with completely different associations. If you go to a physical casino, you’ll notice that slots are fast, noisy, and visually stimulating, while roulette is a complex table game with its own traditions and etiquette. Slots and casino table games are usually hosted in different areas of the casino, so slot players and roulette players may not even mix.
As online casino games, however, roulette and slots have a lot in common. They’re both fun, accessible (often on the same casino site), easy to play, and highly rewarding, so how do you choose between them? It can be difficult, as slot fans and roulette enthusiasts cross paths online. Ultimately, which one you choose depends on your personal style and mood. Let’s take a look at a comparison of online slots and roulette.
Simple Rules
The most obvious thing that slots and roulette have in common is that they’re both very easy to pick up. Learning how to play these casino games is very simple and straightforward! When playing online slots, all you have to do is pick a game, select your bet level, and press “Spin.” Then you can sit back and enjoy the spectacular visuals as the wheel spins. Of course, there’s a lot more science behind slots – and knowing that will definitely improve your game – but when it comes to how to play, it really is that simple.
Roulette isn’t complicated, which is why it’s so popular. You simply place your bets on the table before the dealer calls out “No more bets!” The dealer then spins the wheel in one direction, spinning the ball in another, and everyone waits nervously until the ball lands in one of the colored, numbered pockets on the wheel (corresponding to the betting grid on the table). If your number comes up, you win! There’s one key difference between roulette and slots: you have to place your bets between each spin of the wheel, while the auto-spin feature on most slots takes care of that for you (if you want to).
Mobile Play
Another thing that slots and roulette have in common is that you can play them on your phone. In fact, virtual slot games and online roulette have been around for quite some time. Live dealer games have added possibilities to these games. That’s right – nowadays, it’s possible to play real casino table games like roulette, poker, blackjack and more without having to go to a physical casino. Gameplay is streamed in HD from a studio or live casino hosted by a dealer – just like you’d play at a live casino, but online! Again, online slots vs real slots is a matter of personal preference, but luckily, slots and roulette play very well both online and offline.
Betting Options
Part of the appeal of roulette as a casino game is the sheer variety of betting options it offers. The table layout is divided into 37 number fields (38 for American roulette), which creates a wide range of possibilities. You can place a ‘straight’ bet on one or more single numbers, or on combinations of numbers – thirds, twelves, columns, highest or lowest, odd or even, and so on. You can even bet on whether the ball lands on red or black without specifying a number. You can also make so-called ‘inside bets’, which cover different patterns. Split, street, snake and basket bets are just a few of the options. Then there are call bets, which cover a range of numbers in a specific section of the wheel. Two examples are Neighbors (the number closest to zero) and the Zero Game (the two adjacent numbers on either side of a particular number).
In contrast, slots have far fewer betting options – or do they? Well, slot players don’t really have to make that many choices. Some slots do have adjustable paylines (which means you can decide how many paylines to activate), but in general the only betting decision you need to make is your bet level – this is especially important when playing progressive jackpot slots, as you may only be eligible to win the jackpot if you bet the maximum possible. Once you click Spin, the game does the thinking for you.
Odds
If online slots offer more ways to win, roulette games generally have slightly higher odds, depending on what you’re betting on. For example, in French Roulette, the house edge is as low as 1.35% due to the La Partage rule, which cuts your losses in half if you bet on an even number (red or black, high or low, odd or even) and the ball lands on zero. This means an RTP (Return to Player) of 98.65%.
On the other hand, your odds of winning at online slots depend on the game’s RTP. Virtual slots typically have an RTP of 94–97%, determined by their RNG (random number generator). This means you can expect a house edge of between 3–6%.
Obviously, the odds of winning at roulette are slightly in favor of the player. If you want to minimize risk when playing casino games, roulette may be more advantageous, but this depends on your betting strategy. (Also note that physical slots tend to have lower RTPs than online slots.)
Number of game variations/games available to play
If variety is the spice of life, slots are probably the winner. There are hundreds of slots available online, and more are appearing every month. That’s not to say there aren’t different variations of roulette. In addition to the classic French roulette, there’s European roulette (similar to French roulette but without La Partage) and American roulette, which has a second zero pocket and a slightly higher house edge. Beyond that, there are some interesting variations that you can play live at online casinos. The most interesting of these is Two-Ball Roulette, where the dealer uses a special device to spin two balls at the same time. There’s also Lightning Roulette, a game show version of European Roulette with randomly generated prize multipliers.
But when it comes to variety, nothing can compare to slots. Ancient Egypt, Norse mythology, horror, movies, music, adventure, aliens, animals, sports – these are just a few of the slot themes, each with dozens of games vying for your attention. If you’re looking for straightforward entertainment with a chance to win real money, slots are probably the best casino games for you.
Payouts
One thing that slots and roulette games have in common is the payouts. Roulette pays out up to 35 times your stake – if you win a single number bet at 37/1! Slots tend to pay out much more generously. Special features like bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers and jackpots can result in huge potential wins. Take a slot like Wheel of Fortune Megaways, for example, which has a maximum win of 80,150 times your stake. Then there are the progressive jackpot slots, which have the potential to change your life with payouts of millions (although such huge wins rarely occur). The fact is that slots eclipse roulette in potential payouts. But don’t forget that you are never guaranteed to win, and always keep in mind the house edge differences between slots and roulette. Ultimately, if you put the question of “will I win” aside and focus on pure enjoyment, you should choose the game that gives you the most fun, regardless of the outcome.
Consider Your Options
Everything we have discussed here should help you decide what game to play. Both games are fun and easy to play. If you are looking for something engaging, a game of roulette offers the perfect amount of thrills and excitement. You can also experience a certain amount of luck at the wheel. Slots, on the other hand, offer a more straightforward approach that can result in more generous rewards. They are great for when you need to unwind after a long day or when you need a quick taste of color and excitement.
Ultimately, it all comes down to player preference, and those who are undecided should try both options to find their favorite.
