Roulette
bet365 provides three different Roulette games for its players. These are European Roulette, American Roulette and Roulette Pro. Here we explain the bets available on these games, look at some of the betting systems which exist and discover your best way of enjoying one of the most popular of all Casino games.
European Roulette
This is a standard European Roulette wheel and one which is found in casinos all over the world. The numbers are ordered clockwise round the wheel as follows:
0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25-17-34-6-27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33-1-20-14-31-9-22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26
This will be the wheel most instantly recognisable to most players outside of North America. This wheel has 36 numbers and a single zero.
American Roulette
The American Roulette wheel uses 36 numbers, the same as its European cousin, but adds an extra option with a 'double zero'. The clockwise sequence of numbers changes to:
0-28-9-26-30-11-7-20-32-17-5-22-34-15-3-24-36-13-1-00-27-10-25-29-12-8-19-31-18-6-21-33-16-4-23-35-14-2
The extra 'double zero' option and the different sequence of numbers open up whole new bets for the player to make.
Roulette Pro
The layout of the Roulette Pro wheel is identical to the European one; the only difference when you decide to play on Roulette Pro is that a selection of convenient 'French bets' become available to you.
These special bets include 'Voisins du Zero' (Neighbours of Zero), 'Tier' (Third) and 'Orphelins' (Orphans).
These bets are very popular with many players who like to play sections of the European wheel, and are explained in more detail later on in this guide.
Types of Roulette Bets
There are many kinds of standard bets you can place in Roulette, and it is best if you familiarise yourself quickly with these and the odds that are available for each of them.
The diagram below illustrates where your chips are placed for each of the types of bet you can make when playing Roulette. The table explains what these bets are called, their odds and which numbers are covered by them.
- Dozen 2:1
1 to 12, 13, to 24 or 25 to 36 - Corner 8:1
Bet on four numbers with this bet - Straight Up 35:1
The biggest payout of them all. The straight up win! - Street 15:1
Choose your favourite street for a big payout - Line 5:1
Cover six numbers with one chip - High/Low 1:1
1 to 18 or 19 to 36? Another even money chance - Odd/Even 1:1
An odd or even number? It's an even money bet - Red/Black 1:1
Choose red or black for an even money bet - Split 17:1
Either one of two numbers will see you win - Column 2:1
Choose one of the three columns
Beginner Bets
Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, and it's not difficult to see why. It is easy to play and offers enough betting options to suit the tastes of both the serious player and those looking for the enjoyable thrill of a quick bet.
If you're new to the game then the best thing to do is keep it simple. There are many straightforward bets available that allow you to enjoy the Roulette experience while you become more confident in your play. Try sticking to straight up numbers or placing even money bets such as red/black and odd/even.
Over time, players may develop their own system of betting based on a strategic plan. However, each new spin of the wheel produces a random result, and no system is absolutely guaranteed to make a profit over a period of time. Using favourite/significant numbers is as good a strategy as any other if you want to enjoy playing Roulette.
French Bets
Voisins du Zero - This bet, meaning 'neighbours of zero', covers a total of 17 numbers with nine units of currency. Players placing this bet are hoping that the ball lands in the section of the wheel surrounding the zero. Any winning bet will see a return of at least twice the original stake.
Tier - Also known as 'Tiers du Cylindre', this bet covers the third of the wheel roughly opposite the zero. 12 numbers are covered, with just six unit stakes. Any winning bet will pay the player three times their initial stake.
Orphelins - The 'Orphans' bet covers the two sections of the wheel not included in either the 'Voisins du Zero' or 'Tier' bets, and consists of eight numbers played with five unit stakes. Any win on 'Orphelins' is guaranteed to pay out at least double the original wager.
Betting Systems
Many players like to employ betting patterns that steadily increase the size of their bets until a winning spin comes along. The most well-known example is the 'Martingale System', in which you double your bet every time you don't win. Many players believe this to be a sure-fire winning system, but the risk of the Martingale System is that a player invariably starts to bet ever increasing amounts of money to do little more than break even. Even when starting with a stake of one unit of currency, a losing run of seven straight spins using the Martingale System will mean that the eighth bet needs to be 128 units to return a profit of just one unit.
To discourage this betting pattern most casinos set table limits – as does bet365. Long sequences of numbers and colours can and do occur at the Roulette wheel, and it is not extraordinary to see a sequence of, for example, many reds. You should enjoy sustained winning streaks when they happen, but be wary of wagering ever greater numbers of chips when the spins are going against you!
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games of all and is played by millions of players the world over. See how you can improve your Blackjack play with bet365.
The Basics
Scoring
The random nature in which cards are dealt in Blackjack means that there can never be a system that guarantees a successful outcome of any hand for a player. However, there are ways in which you can maximise your chances of taking advantage of the best odds available to the player in any given situation.
Depending upon which cards you hold and the value of the dealer's face-up card there are courses of action you can take which are considered to be statistically the most advantageous way to play.
A "hard number" is one which is made up of two cards not containing an Ace. A "soft number" is one which contains an Ace and has two potential values. For example, if you have A-5 then you have either 6 or 16, giving you more options than if you have 10-6 to make 16.
This strategy recommends that you should not split 10s, that you should look to double down when you have eleven, against anything other than a dealer's Ace, and that you stand with 12 against a dealer's 6.
- H = Hit
- HH = Hit with 2 card stand with 3 or more
- SP = Split
- DS = Double Down if possible, otherwise Stand
- DD = Double Down of possible, otherwise Hit
- S = Stand
Hard Numbers
Dealer's Face Up Card
Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4-8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
9 | H | DD | DD | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H |
10 | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | H | H |
11 | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | H |
12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
13 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | HH | H |
17 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
Soft Numbers
Dealer's Face Up Card
Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A,2 | H | H | H | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H |
A,3 | H | H | H | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H |
A,4 | H | H | DD | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H |
A,5 | H | H | DD | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H |
A,6 | H | DD | DD | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H |
A,7 | S | DS | DS | DS | DS | S | S | S | S | S |
A,8 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A,9 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
Pairs
Dealer's Face Up Card
Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2,2 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
3,3 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
4,4 | H | H | H | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
5,5 | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | DD | H | H |
6,6 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
7,7 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
8,8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H |
9,9 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | S | SP | SP | S | S |
10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A,A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H |
Key Points
Feel free to use our special strategy guide to see how the experts think you should play the game and see how it fits in with your own tactics and approach. Remember though that no strategy guide can account for betting patterns and size of bets, so it's up to the player to determine those for themselves. Even then though there are some basics which you should always look to adhere to:
Always split Aces, except when the dealer is showing an Ace
Do not split a pair of 5s
Stand on a hard 13 through to 16 if the dealer is showing a 6 or lower
If the dealer is showing a 4, 5 or 6 you should stick on 12
You should always continue to hit until you have 17 or better if the dealer is showing a ten
Always stand once you have a hard 17 or higher. The odds of you not busting are far too low for it to be worth the risk
Always stand when you have A-8 or A-9
HINTS AND TIPS
Hard and Soft - Tricky Seventeen
A lot of players find 17 a difficult number in Blackjack. It is always sensible to stand on a hard 17, but here we demonstrate the same is not the case with a soft 17 (an ace and a six). Though 17 is a good hand, you have the chance to improve your holding without the fear of busting.
Drawing any card with a 10 value will mean you still have 17, while an Ace, 2, 3 or 4 will improve it. That leaves only a 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 to weaken your hand. As you can see, eight cards either improve or maintain the strength of your hand and only five weaken it. This means that soft 17 is sometimes a good time to Double Down.
Play your hand, not your stake
Whether you are following optimal strategy or your own system, most players agree that it’s important to make decisions based on your cards and not the value of your stake. For example, if you've been dealt 14 and the dealer is showing a 10 then the optimal strategy is to hit and take another card.
Doubling Down
Doubling Down enables the player to gain full value when they have a good situation. If a player is discouraged from making the Double Down, they are unable to gain that value.
Splitting Pairs
In contrast to the reluctance players sometimes feel to Double Down, they are often too keen to split pairs of 10 value cards. If the dealer is showing a 5 or a 6, the player tends to think they have an easy chance to win two hands.
However, why would you want to break up one of the best Blackjack hands you can be dealt, and risk making two worse hands? There are many times when you should split your paired cards but when you are dealt 20 it is a good idea to stand every time.
Final thoughts
As we have already seen, players often change their game based on factors beyond the cards, and this rarely improves their results. Another example of this occurs when players stand on a low hand and hope that the dealer busts. Such over-cautiousness is often another indication that the player cares more about the stake than they do about playing their cards.
It is vital that you concentrate on your own game, whatever strategy you are using, rather than allowing yourself to be distracted. Successful Blackjack players are always aware of the issues discussed in this article, and combine this with their knowledge of optimal strategy.
Please note:
This strategy guide is provided for information only and is intended to be used with bet365's standard single player, 3-player and 5-player Blackjack games.
Because of the random way in which cards are dealt in Blackjack, sustained winning and losing streaks are possible and using this strategy is no guarantee of any specific outcome.
Playing Optimal Strategy Blackjack is no guarantee of success but does offer the best odds over a sustained period of time.
Baccarat
There are 10 possible hand scores in Baccarat, ranging from zero up to 9. The idea is to get as close as possible to 9. The worst hand possible is zero. A player's score will always range between zero and 9 as it is impossible to go 'bust'.
The Basics
Scoring
The scoring runs as follows: The cards 2 through to 9 are worth their face value in points. Aces are worth one point, and 10s and picture cards are worth zero. When scores are calculated only the number in the right hand column is counted. For example, if you are given a 5 and an 8 then these would obviously add up to 13. However, the 10 is removed and the total of the hand is therefore 3.
Bets
The three options available to you are to bet on the 'Banker', the 'Player' or the 'tie'. Player and Banker bets are paid at even money, though successful bets on the Banker are subject to a 5% commission. The odds offered for a bet on the tie are 8/1.
How The Cards Are Dealt
Regardless of how many players are playing at the table only two hands are dealt: the Player's hand and the Banker's hand. Once the bets have been placed the cards are dealt – one to the Player, one to the Banker, a second to the Player and a second to the Banker. Depending on the score of the two hands, further cards may need to be drawn.
If either the Player or the Banker has a two-card score of 8 or 9 then they have a 'natural hand' and no further cards are drawn for either hand. The outcome is decided there and then.
If the Player's hand is between zero and 5 then they will ALWAYS be dealt another card. If their hand is 6 or 7 then they will ALWAYS stand.
It is then the turn of the Banker's hand to react. If the Banker's hand is zero, 1 or 2 then they will ALWAYS be dealt a third card. If the Banker's hand is a 7 then they will ALWAYS stand, regardless of any hand the Player may have, or whether the Player took a third card. If the Player has stood on 6 or 7 then the Banker will always take a card if their score is between zero and 5. If the Banker's hand is 3, 4, 5 or 6 then whether or not they will be dealt a third card is determined by the third card drawn by the Player. This is illustrated in the following tables:
Player
Point Value of First Two Cards | Action |
---|---|
0,1,2,3,4 or 5 | Draws a card |
6 or 7 | Stands |
8 or 9 | Natural hand, no further cards drawn |
Banker
Point Value of First Two Cards | Draws When The Player's Third Card Is: | Does Not Draw When The Player's Third Card Is: |
---|---|---|
0,1 or 2 | Always draws a card | |
3 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 | 8 |
4 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 | 0, 1, 8 or 9 |
5 | 4, 5, 6 or 7 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 8 or 9 |
6 | 6 or 7 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 9 |
7 | Always Stands | |
8 or 9 | Player cannot draw | Player cannot draw |
An example: If the Banker's two-card score is 4 and the Player draws a third card with a value of 6 then the Banker will draw a third card. If the Banker's two-card score is 5 and the Player draws a third card with a value of 2 then the Banker is compelled to stand without taking a third card.
Strategy
In reality, there isn't much scope for strategy as such in Baccarat, because the player is not able to influence the order of the cards, or whether either hand stands or takes another card.
However, the subtlety comes from making the right bets at the right time. Many players like to keep records of the sequences of hand results and make their bets based on what they believe will be the outcome of the next hand. Intuition is everything.
Slots
Slots are one of the most popular types of games which can be played at bet365. There is a vast variety of different styles and themes which are available. Despite the wide range of games on offer the mechanics behind these games are very similar.
Game Selection
The most popular types of Slots are:
Video slots
These are very themed games that have a multiple number of reels and paylines, as well as including bonus features to add an extra level of gameplay.
3-reel slots
Ideal for the new players to ease their way into the world of slot play, these types of games are much more simplistic and closest to the traditional slot machines. Generally with a single payline, ranging from one to 10, these operate on a vertical, horizontal and diagonal basis.
5-reel slots
These are the most common type of slots and offer a more complex game than the 3-reel version. There is a higher amount of paylines, combinations and other mechanics, allowing more bonuses and features including bonus rounds, free spins, scatter symbols, wilds and more.
Fixed/variable paylines
The more traditional slots use a variable payline, which means these can be changed for each spin. When increasing the number of paylines, this also increases the overall stake that is being placed.
The more common slots tend to use the fixed paylines version, which means the player will have all maximum paylines active no matter what the stake amount is. This means players are more likely to trigger a bonus feature as there is a higher chances of winning even if playing with the minimum stake.
Megaways
Megaways are the latest style of slots which introduced an innovative mechanic that offers 243 to sometimes over 200,000 ways to win. Each spin can have a different number of symbols which land on each reel.