What is California Roulette and How to Play It?

The casino gaming world has introduced numerous Roulette variations over the years. One such exciting Roulette variation that traces its roots back to the Golden State is California Roulette.

This article explores California Roulette’s origins, basics, and working. Also, we detail the advantages and disadvantages of playing this Roulette version. Continue reading!

The origins of California Roulette

This Roulette variation was developed in response to the strict and restrictive Californian casino gaming laws. As experienced casino players might know, the Golden State only allows skill-based games and anything involving a ball or dice is forbidden. And given that Roulette uses a small white ball, it comes under the banned category.

As such, Roulette aficionados had to devise another game. Something which was inspired by classic Roulette and other popular online Roulette game types, but the one that also came under the legal boundaries. A tough challenge, for sure!

Fortunately, in the early 2000s, it was ruled that a specific Roulette variation named California Roulette would be permitted to play within the state. The basic premise of the California version is the same as the classic Roulette game available at our casino online. But California Roulette has some subtle differences you need to know about.

The working of California Roulette explained

As mentioned earlier, California Roulette resembles the classic version of the game. But the key difference here is that a spinning deck of cards takes the form of the traditional wheel. Below we’ve detailed the characteristics of the California Roulette setup:

• California Roulette comes with the conventional Roulette table and board.
• There’s a large wooden wheel with pockets to hold playing cards.
• In total, there are 38 pockets on the California Roulette wheel.
• The playing cards are from red and black suits and are placed alternately on the wheel.
• Like the spinning wheel in live dealer Roulette, the cards used in California Roulette carry numbers from 1 to 36, 0, and 00.

Other than the playing cards and the funky spinning wheel, this Roulette variation plays much like the game’s standard version. Each California Roulette gameplay round starts with the players placing their Roulette chips on the betting grid.

Once players have placed their wagers, the croupier announces, “no more bets,” and sets the wheel in motion. When the wheel eventually stops, a pointer shows the winning card.The dealer takes the winning card out of the slot and places it on the Roulette table. Winners are then paid according to the paytable of the game.

Casino edge and winning odds in California Roulette

As California Roulette is based on the American Roulette wheel, it has a casino advantage of 5.26%. This number comes from the two casino-friendly pockets on the Roulette wheel: a single zero slot and a double zero slot. Below is the math behind the 5.26% house edge:

• There are two zero pockets on the wheel
• In total, there are 38 pockets on the wheel

Two divided by thirty-eight (2/38) results in a casino advantage of 5.26%

Using a Roulette betting calculator, you can find that the 5.26% casino advantage applies to almost every wager in California Roulette. The only exception is the basket bet placed on 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3, which comes with a casino advantage of 7.69%.

Of course, most players will not get excited about the 5.26% casino advantage. But luckily, players can reduce the house edge with the usage of the La Partage rule. As a refresher, the La Partage rule refunds 50% of your stake if the ball lands in single zero or double zero slots.

With the La Partage rule in place, the casino edge in California Roulette is reduced to 2.63%. Just note that you’ll need to go with the outside wagers to take advantage of the La Partage rule.

Pros of California Roulette

Since its introduction in Californian casinos in the early 2000s, California Roulette has become popular among worldwide casino players. Below we’ve listed the advantages of playing this Roulette variation:

Exciting Roulette variation

It’s common for Roulette fans to feel like they’ve tried almost every Roulette variation. However, California Roulette brings something new to its players.

Instead of dealing with the same conventional wheel present in online and Bitcoin Roulette games, players experience something new in the California version. Here, there’s a funky spinning wheel with pockets to hold cards.

Of course, the basic format of the California wheel isn’t different from the norm. But considering you want to try something new, you’ll surely enjoy this game.

Can sometimes offer favourable odds

Some California Roulette games allow players to go with the La Partage rule. With the La Partage rule, players get half their amount back if the ball lands in the zero slot.

Along with that, the rule reduces the house advantage to 2.63%. While this may not be the lowest house edge in the casino, it’s still better than the standard American Roulette game.

Cons of California Roulette

Below we’ve detailed the disadvantages of playing this Roulette variation:

High casino advantage in most cases

We mentioned earlier that players could reduce the casino advantage in California Roulette with the La Partage rule. But the thing is that the rule isn’t present at every California Roulette table.

Almost all California Roulette games make use of the American wheel. As such, the house edge in the game stands at 5.26%.

It may not appeal to classic Roulette fans

Many Roulette players love to play Roulette games because of the game’s classic feel. Everything from the spinning wheel to the small white ball creates an experience unique from other casino titles.

However, the charm of California Roulette isn’t at par with the classic version. The usage of playing cards may seem uninteresting to some players.