Online Roulette with Side Bets
Whether played at virtual or live tables, Roulette offers multiple betting options to choose from. However, unlike some other table games like Blackjack or Baccarat, Roulette typically does not offer any side bets. Those who want to feel more excitement at a Roulette table and try to hit some bigger payouts than the regular ones may be disappointed with the fact that they cannot find many game variants offering optional bets. If you are one of those who won’t settle for all possible betting options at a regular Roulette game, stay with us. In this article, we bring you three online Roulette games offering side bets.
Microgaming Roulette Royal
Roulette Royale is a Microgaming-powered virtual game which uses standard European Roulette rules with a twist – a progressive jackpot. This feature along with a side bet that can earn you a progressive jackpot makes this game stand out from the crowd. However, this is not your average side bet, as you will have to place it whenever you play the game. Although it is called a side bet, this is a mandatory wager, so you won’t be able to choose whether you will play or not.
While playing this Roulette variant, you can place all the familiar bets which pay up to 35:1 (Straight bets). Neighbour bets are also available when you play the game in the Expert Mode. When it comes to the side bet, it is played automatically at the beginning of each round. Before the wheel spins, you will have to place the side bet worth a table minimum or more.
The game comes with four jackpots you can win with the side bet. Only one of them is progressive and it typically starts at $60,000. To win one of the jackpots, you need to bet on the number which will land at least 2 times in a row. The more the merrier, so the more times in a row the same number lands the bigger the prize. The progressive jackpot is won when the same number lands 5 times in a row and you have placed your bet on it.
The progressive jackpot side bet can win you a prize regardless of other bets you have played. However, you should keep in mind that the house edge in Roulette Royale can be extremely high with up to 37% when the progressive jackpot is at an initial size. Common sense tells you that this is a game that involves a lot of risks, particularly because you cannot avoid playing the side bet. On the other hand, hitting the progressive jackpot is highly unlikely.
IGT Hot Streak Bonus Roulette
Hot Streak Bonus Roulette is part of IGT’s Player’s Suite of games that introduce a few new features such as Hot and Cold numbers. This particular game is played by standard European Roulette rules with a wheel featuring 37 pockets. What makes this game variant stand apart is the layout of the table featuring a green strip with 6 holes where you place side or bonus bets. The game offers the so-called Hot Streak Bonus you can win when playing from 1 to 6 side bets.
These bets are optional and each of them costs 10 credits. They are played on top of regular bets by choosing one number from six sections: 1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30 and 31-36. You cannot place a side bet on a zero. One match earns you a 2x your bet and payouts increase with more matches, up to 25,000x if you manage to match all six numbers. The game comes with a house edge of 1.35%.
As you can see, Hot Streak Bonus Roulette or Roulette with Hot Streak Bonus can provide you with loads of excitement thanks to side bets earning you payouts of up to 25,000x the bet. However, keep in mind that you need to wager 60 credits if you want to win the top prize.
Authentic Live Lucky Ball Roulette
Now that we have introduced two RNG-operated Roulette games offering side bets, here is one available at live casinos. It is called Lucky Ball Roulette and it is brought to you by Authentic Gaming. The biggest attraction of the game variant is a set of side bets providing players with an opportunity to win up to 120x their bet. Again, we have a game based on European Roulette.
The action at the table is streamed live with a real-life dealer hosting the game. However, there is also an RNG-operated part of the game and that’s when side bets come in play. To play them, you should click the Lucky Ball button that will offer you four side bets in total. They are named a purple, orange, blue and green ball and each one of them is assigned a number. Players can place their bet on one or all balls and win a respective payout. The purple ball pays 60:1, the orange one earns you 75:1, the blue ball pays 100:1 while the green ball awards the top payout of 120:1.
Closing Thoughts
Side bets offer tempting prizes, yet they are risky to play. If you like to take risks, you can go for them from time to time. Although they come with a higher house edge, if you get lucky, you can win big with them. What you should bear in mind is that Roulette is a luck-based game which means that there is nothing you can do to enhance your odds. That’s why it is important to take care of your bankroll properly.
Click here to visit the best online casinos offering Roulette tables and play the variant you like best!