Mini Roulette is a simplified version of roulette that can be found at many online casinos. In this version, the game is played using a roulette wheel with just 13 slots, featuring the numbers 1 to 12 along with a single zero. This makes it more likely for players to win on most bets (such as wagering on a single number), while also reducing the payouts for those same bets.
Mini Roulette is an interesting option for players who find the large number of possible bets in a standard roulette game a little bit overwhelming. With Mini Roulette players can get comparable odds while having fewer possibilities, making the “long shot” bets much more likely to hit than in American or European roulette.
You can play our free mini roulette game below or carry on further down the page to watch our video guide for new players looking for a primer.
How to Play Mini Roulette
Mini Roulette is essentially played like any other roulette games. Before each spin you’ll have the option to wager on a number of different possible bets. These range from betting on single numbers to several different combinations of numbers at the same time. Each bet has its own unique payouts, which are described below. At the end of each spin losing wagers are collected and winning bets are paid out, after which you may make new bets for the next spin.
One area in which Mini Roulette is unique from other roulette games is the way zero results are handled. If you’ve made a bet that does not cover the zero and the ball lands on the zero on that spin, players will only lose half of their bets. For example, if you bet $10 on the number 5 and the spin results in a zero, you’ll receive $5 back at the end of the spin. This is similar to the “en prison” rule in some European roulette games, with the added benefit that it applies to all bets, rather than just even money wagers.
Mini Roulette Bets
The types of bets that are available in Mini Roulette will be familiar if you’ve played standard roulette. However, the payouts are often very different.
The following list gives a full explanation of the bets you may make in Mini Roulette:
Single Number/Straight Up: This bet is made on any one number on the roulette board and can be made by placing your bet directly on that number. If that number is the winner on the next spin, this bet will pay 11-1.
Split: This bet is made on any two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel and is made by placing a bet on the line between those two numbers. This bet pays 5-1 if either of the numbers is the winning number on the next spin.
Street: This bet is made on any row of three numbers on the board and can be made by placing your chips on the edge of that line. If any of the three numbers win on the next spin, this bet pays 3-1.
Square/Corner: This bet covers four numbers in a square pattern on the board and can be made by placing chips on the corner intersecting the four numbers. If any of the four numbers wins on the next spin, this bet pays 2-1.
Column: This bet covers a full column of four numbers on the board and can be made by placing chips on the square at the top of the appropriate column. If any number in the column wins on the next spin, this bet pays 2-1.
Half Dozen: This bet covers one of three ranges of six numbers: 1-6, 4-9, or 7-12. If any number in that range wins on the next spin, this bet pays even money.
Odd/Even: This bet covers all odd or even numbers on the wheel, respectively. If an appropriate number wins on the next spin, this bet pays even money.
Red/Black: This bet covers all numbers of the appropriate color on the wheel (six red, six black). If a number with a pocket of the correct color wins on the next spin, this bet pays even money.
Mini Roulette Odds and Strategies
As in American and European roulette games, most bets in Mini Roulette pay out at odds that would be perfectly fair if not for the presence of the zero on the wheel. The house edge is lessened further by the fact that all bets that do not win when a zero hits will have half of their losses returned in the case that the ball lands on zero.
The house edge on most bets in Mini Roulette is 3.85% – less than in American roulette but more than on European roulette.
This edge is consistent on all bets, with the exception of any bet that involves the zero (either a straight bet on a zero or the zero combined with neighboring numbers). Since these bets never gain the benefit of receiving half of their losses returned, the house bets on these wagers is 7.69%. With that in mind, it is best to avoid all bets on zero in Mini Roulette.