Not many people were enthusiastic when the first crypto casino came around. The year was 2012, and a new type of casino emerged, SatoshiDice, offering new and engaging options for users to spend their Bitcoins, which were then traded for less than USD 5 per unit. In fact, Bitcoin was still a thing for tech crazes that traded it for digital assets on the internet’s fringes.
Needless to say, the landscape has changed a lot since. The crypto casino industry now rivals traditional online casinos regarding market size and user base. Superficially, they look the same: there’s little difference in terms of gaming portfolio. Exclusive games exist on both sides, and timeless classics like roulette remain a staple. However, while core rules remain the same (most of the time), crypto and traditional roulette can be fundamentally different. Learn more about it below.
Spinning Numbers and Codes
Roulette is one of the most popular games in casino culture. It’s intuitive for first-timers and a feast for those who love mathematical thinking. There are three main types of roulette: French, European, and American; the last one has two zeros. Statistically, chances are the same for traditional or crypto roulette, but nearly everything else is different.
It starts with the payment method: crypto casinos, as the name suggests, operate only with cryptocurrencies, while traditional platforms use fiat currency. It means players must buy different fiat currencies to play on offshore websites, which may involve costly cross-border transactions and exchange fees.
Meanwhile, platforms like Bitcasino welcome players from all over the world, ensuring nearly instant deposits and withdrawals. Crypto gambling sites also provide unprecedented levels of transparency and safety without sacrificing privacy. Indeed, KYC requirements tend to be lighter, allowing users to remain anonymized by pseudonyms.
Both options are pretty solid regarding fairness and trustworthiness, but crypto-based platforms go the extra mile. Traditional casinos use certified random number generators (RNGs) in online roulette games, while crypto casinos typically use Provably Fair technology. Provably Fair produces traceable and verifiable results for each round, even before players hit the button, making it impossible for players to tamper with them.
Going Mobile
Clearly, the future of the online gaming industry is mobile: more than half of the players worldwide prefer to use their mobile devices to spin the wheel, and mobile banking apps are also used to fund their fun. Unsurprisingly, most online casinos (crypto-based and otherwise) have been investing in mobile-friendly platforms. It means adapting graphics, controls, navigation, and gameplay to touchscreen displays.
Choosing the best platform may seem an overwhelming task, given the sheer number of options out there. However, choosing the best mobile crypto casino isn’t much different than picking a traditional one. Firstly, players must check whether the platform is appropriately licensed and if they’re downloading the APK from an official source.
Touchscreen controls can be tremendously helpful in live dealer games, giving players better views of the table and wheel. Like the PC version, most games will offer automatic options like quick bets and auto-play, which should be used with care. After all, responsible gaming is essential, regardless of currency or playing platforms.
Bankroll Management
Finding a balanced bankroll management strategy is challenging for every player. Thankfully, mathematicians throughout history have delved into the complexities of roulette, coming up with clever betting systems. None of them is the Holy Grail, though; if they could secure winnings, casinos would have gone out of business long ago.
Still, they can help players keep track of their expenditures and losses by being efficient bankroll management tools. The strategies below work the same for crypto and traditional roulette games, but only the first option allows micro-betting. That’s a key advantage over fiat currencies, as bets can be lower than a penny.
Additionally, players can try out their knowledge by playing demo games before jumping into the real thing. It’s also a great way to test gameplay and special features in a new game or platform. Here are some of the most popular betting systems experienced roulette players use.
Paroli System
The Paroli system is arguably the oldest betting system in casino history, predating roulette itself. The method consists of increasing the betting amount after a win, but no more than three times in a row. Those lucky enough to win thrice should return to the basic betting value. It’s based on the assumption that a losing round will likely come after a winning streak, and reducing bets would allow players to lock in profits.
Martingale Strategy
The Martingale strategy, created in 18th-century France, is considerably more aggressive, as it ramps up bets after losing rounds. The theory behind it is pretty simple: if players keep doubling their bets after losing one or a few rounds, losses will be recovered as soon as the ball lands in the right place. While chances of short-term gains exist, there are no guarantees, and a long losing streak could leave players penniless quite quickly.
D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert system doesn’t step back after a loss, although it has a more cautious approach. Instead of doubling down after losing, bets are increased by one unit for every lost round. Unlike the Paroli system, which waits for three rounds before returning to base value, according to D’Alembert, players should step back as soon as they win a round to prevent risking the profits.
All-In
For diehard fans, roulette is roulette, and vice versa. Usually, the main difference between crypto roulette and traditional roulette is how players prefer to fund their entertainment. Players can find live dealer games and a wide array of RNG versions on pretty much any online casino, crypto-based or otherwise.
The main advantages of crypto roulette above the rest aren’t about the game itself. Arguably, it’s the high level of privacy and safety that such platforms provide, not to mention their fast and cheap payment methods, supporting seamless cross-border transactions. Unlike traditional options, people can spend less than a penny per round, allowing for micro-management of bankrolls and, above all, more responsible playing habits.