There seems to be an endless supply of different Roulette game variants available to online players, and one game that you will often come across when you log into any casino site is a game known as Multi-Ball Roulette.
As the name implies, this variant is about using multiple wheels to determine results. For example, in a three-wheel game, when you place one chip on a single number you're actually placing three chips on three identical single-number bets that are then used for three separate wheels. This triples your chances of winning but splits your stake and profits into three ways.
Effectively increasing your stake every time has its advantages and disadvantages, as we've discussed in this article. However, it also leaves players with the impression that they're risking more since every bet they want to make takes three times the money. We often get asked how risky multi-wheel roulette is, which is why we'll be discussing this exact topic.
For starters, let's note that there are versions of multi-ball roulette with more or fewer than three wheels/balls. To make things easier, though, we'll use three-ball roulette as an example. Just remember that the same principles apply no matter how many balls are in play.
Is Multi-Ball Roulette Riskier Than Standard Roulette?
The short answer is that no, it's not riskier. It's exactly as risky as its standard counterpart.
The long answer is a bit more complicated. In practice, multi-wheel roulette seems less risky than the single-ball version because you're three times as likely to win any given bet. However, you should keep in mind that every bet in three-ball roulette is actually three standard bets rolled into one. These individual bets have the same odds as standard roulette tables. They have the same payouts, same odds of success, and so on.
However, splitting the stakes three ways means that the payouts are also one-third of what they would usually be relative to the full amount you wagered.
If things aren't clear, think of it like this. Placing one Straight-up bet in multi-ball roulette with three balls is like placing the same Straight Up bet three times in three rounds in classic roulette. Doing so would give you three chances to win, thus increasing your likelihood of success. However, the individual bets are no more likely to win, and you would need triple the stake to do so.
In other words, while every bet is relatively more likely to win, the amount you need to stake per bet also increases. The risk vs. reward ratio is completely the same, which means the RTP is also the same as in classic tables.
Risk vs. Reward
Keep in mind that how “risky” a bet is does not necessarily translate into how “good” it is.
For instance, if a bet is very unlikely to win but pays a lot if it does, you can call it a good bet. Think of the single-number Straight Up bet in roulette. Sure, it's not likely to win, but it pays the most out of any other option.
This ratio of risk vs. reward is often measured through a game's RTP. The RTP is a numerical representation of how much players win in the long run through repeated betting. The higher, the better. Its inverse is called the house edge or house advantage – the smaller it is, the better the game is for your bottom line, and thus less risky.
The standard RTP rate of European roulette is 97.30%. Any more than that, and you've found a rare instance of the game actually being improved. Any less, and you should probably avoid that particular variant. Note that this same rate applies to every bet in roulette.
That's because different wagers in roulette have different levels of risk, but also different payouts. Riskier bets pay more, as you probably know. This ratio of risk and reward remains consistent across all bets on the table.
No matter how many balls or wheels you add to the game of roulette, the RTP remains the same because the probability of winning and the payouts are also the same.
Low House Edge Roulette Alternatives
If you want to actually decrease the risk and increase profits while playing roulette, there are still ways of achieving exactly that. It's all about getting as high of an RTP as possible.
The lowest house edge Roulette game you are going to find is French Roulette. The house edge on that game can be as low as 1.35%, but that is only when you place your bets and wagers on any of the even money paying betting propositions. In other words – Red, Black, Odd, Even, High, or Low.
If you place any other type of bet on the French Roulette games betting layout then the house edge of those other bets are the same as they are in European Roulette. For reference, the house edge in European Roulette is 2.70%. This is the disadvantage you get with most multi-ball roulette games as well.
On the flip side, one of the worst Roulette games you can play in regards to its house edge is the American Roulette game variant. Because it has two zeros on its wheel and no increase in the payouts compared to European Roulette, the house edge on that variant is a very unappealing 5.26%.
In conclusion, adding additional balls or wheels to Roulette has no impact on the house edge. Adding additional pockets to the wheels does, however.
Most progressive Roulette games have an even higher house edge than that of the American variant and that is due to the way those games force players to have to pay and place a bonus side bet wager to have a chance of winning the progressive jackpot.
Conclusion
With so many different Roulette game variants on offer to you as an online casino player, it's a good idea to play a range of different variants to see which ones you like playing the most. Push comes to shove, picking one is all about personal preference. If you're having fun, then you made a good choice!
As for multi-ball roulette, it is a decent variant because it doesn't really change the math model of roulette. Although you're more likely to win any bet you make, the ratio of risk and reward is fully identical to standard roulette games, as discussed above.
That's why multi-ball roulette is a good option for anyone looking to mix things up without affecting their profits.
