Online roulette variations come in all shapes and forms as software suppliers are constantly trying to introduce new elements into the gameplay of this casino mainstay. Some versions play on multiple wheels, others incorporate extra pockets for side bets or two balls instead of one.
The Swedish software studio NetEnt provides us with yet another interesting take on the classic game of chance in the form of Mini Roulette. The game is instantly recognizable as it plays on a minimalistic layout and a wheel which contains only 13 pockets with numbers 0 through 12. Due to the smaller number of pockets, there are differences in the true odds and the payouts of winning bets.
| Mini Roulette Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | NetEnt |
| RTP | 96.15% |
| Minimum Bet | $0.10 |
| Maximum Bet | $50 |
| Wheel Number | 1 wheel |
| Ball Number | 1 ball |
| Multiplayer | N/A |
| Jackpot | Fixed maximum payout of 11x the stake |
Popular Bets and Payouts of Mini Roulette
Despite its smaller size, Mini Roulette supports roughly the same bet types you can expect to see in standard variants of the game. Many of the payouts are reduced, however. There is the option to make outside bets on red/black, odd/even, and half-dozens. If the outcome is in your favor, you will receive an even-money payout, similarly to conventional roulette. All types of even-money bets lose whenever the ball ends up in the single-zero pocket.
Column bets are also accepted. Here, you are simultaneously betting on four numbers located within the same column for the chance to win twice your initial wager. The corner bet is yet another option. You post your chips on the common corner four numbers share for a payout of 2 to 1.
Several other outside bets are also available. The street wager is called a three-line bet in this version of the game. It covers groups of three numbers positioned within the same horizontal line like 7, 8 and 9, for example, and awards a payout of 3 to 1.
Another option is to make a split bet, in which case you are betting on two adjacent numbers on the layout and post your chips on the line between the two betting boxes. Split bets return a payout of 5 to 1.
Finally, you can make an inside straight bet on any of the 13 individual numbers on the wheel. The likelihood of your number hitting is higher at around 7.69% due to the smaller number of pockets on the wheel. Because of this, the payouts on winning straight bets are reduced to 11 to 1 instead of the usual 35 to 1.
Specific Features of Mini Roulette
Being a simplistic version of the classic game, Mini Roulette is not overloaded with many special features. Despite its simplicity, the game utilizes a nice interface that enhances one’s enjoyment from playing it.
For example, when you hover your mouse cursor over one of the betting grids on the layout, the minimum and maximum limits for the respective bet pop up on the screen. The game also provides a history on the last five numbers that have hit. The layout takes up the entire game screen. When you hit the spin button, however, an enlarged wheel appears on the screen so you can see where the ball lands.
The table limits are outlined in the upper right corner of the screen. You hover the cursor over the table limits to see the payouts for the winning wagers. One cool thing about this mini-game is that it abides by a variation of the La Partage rule. When zero hits, players are entitled to a 50% refund on their wagers provided that they have bet on one of the other twelve numbers.
The lives of players who prefer to flat bet are made easier with a Rebet button that enables them to repeatedly make the same wagers with a single click of the mouse. Other than that, players who prefer more dynamic gameplay can up the pace by clicking on the button with the white hare. This way, there is no need for you to wait for the ball to settle in a pocket. The winning number will immediately pop up on the screen.
Verdict
NetEnt’s Mini Roulette is the perfect option for players who are new to this classic game of chance. It comes with a user-friendlier betting structure than the standard single-zero and double-zero variations. However, this simplicity comes at the expense of a reduction in the RTP. The theoretical return you can expect from this variation in the long run is 96.15% only.