Double Ball Roulette

Introduction

In Double Ball Roulette, the gameplay resembles traditional roulette, but it introduces an exciting twist with two balls in play. My introduction to this game occurred during the 2013 Global Gaming Expo, followed by a live demonstration at the Tropicana in Las Vegas on February 18, 2014, where a double-zero wheel was utilized.

Fast forward to November 2016, I spotted this innovative game at an online casino using Felt software, which implements a single-zero wheel.

Are you curious how the two balls avoid colliding in a physical setting? The game cleverly deploys compressed air to propel both balls out of a tube nearly at the same moment. They are designed to travel at identical speeds, ensuring that the second ball always follows the first.

You may be pondering whether the odds of both balls landing on the same number align with the anticipated 1 in 38 chance, presuming their outcomes are entirely independent. I certainly found myself engaged in a lengthy conversation with the game developer at the gaming event, questioning the physics behind it. He reassured me that an impartial laboratory had conducted tens of thousands of spins and confirmed that, under the assumption of independence, the likelihood of both balls landing on the same number is indeed approximately 1 in 38.

The betting arrangement mirrors that of standard roulette for the most part. Players making inside bets enjoy a double chance to win, albeit with lower payouts. Conversely, outside bets require both balls to show winning results, but offer more attractive payouts. Additionally, players can wager that both balls will land on a specific number.

Rules

General Rules

1. This game employs a conventional single- or double-zero roulette wheel.
2. The overall layout largely remains consistent with that of traditional roulette.
3. Two balls are used.
4. To succeed on 'outside' bets, both balls must yield a successful outcome. For instance, a bet placed on Red requires both balls to land on a red number.
5. For 'inside' bets, the success of just one ball suffices. If both balls land successfully, the winnings are doubled.
6. To win the 'Double Ball Jackpot' bet, both balls must hit the chosen number.
7. Players are equipped with a remote button to activate the air gun that fires the balls.

Available Bets

1. For bets on Red, Black, Odd, Even, and ranges from 1 to 18 or 19 to 36 — a payout of 3 to 1 is granted if both balls end up in the selected 18 numbers.
2. The first 12, second 12, and third 12 bets confer an 8 to 1 payout if both balls land within the designated set of 12 numbers.
3. If one ball shows red and the other black, the payout is 1 to 1.
4. Hitting a specific number pays 17 to 1 if one ball matches the chosen number and 34 to 1 if both do.
5. For two-number bets, the payout is 8 to 1 if either ball hits the chosen number, and 16 to 1 if both land on it.
6. With three-number bets, the outcome pays 5 to 1 for either ball hitting the number and 10 to 1 if both succeed.
7. For four-number bets, the payout is 3 to 1 for either ball landing, and 6 to 1 if both do.
8. In five-number bets, the payout is 5 to 2 for either ball and 5 to 1 if both hit.
9. Six-number bets offer a 2 to 1 payoff for either ball hitting the chosen number, and 4 to 1 if both do.
10. The Double Ball Jackpot provides a staggering 1,200 to 1 payout if both balls land on the selected number.

Below are images of the promotional rack card; click either one to view a larger version.

Double-Zero Analysis

Outside Bets

The tables below detail my analysis of Outside bets on a double-zero wheel. To win an outside bet, both balls must meet the winning criteria.

Next, you'll find my breakdown of bets involving 18 winning numbers, which include categories like red, black, odd, even, low (1 to 18), and high (19 to 36).

The following table presents my analysis of bets involving 12 winning numbers, categorized into first, second, and third sets of 12, as well as by columns.

The subsequent table details my analysis focused on single-number bets within the double-zero format.

Here, I provide insights into the analysis of red/black bets on a double-zero wheel, where one ball must land red and the other black.

Inside Bets

The tables ahead display my analysis concerning Inside bets on a double-zero wheel. Here, merely one successful ball is needed for the bet to pay out, with doubled payouts if both land successfully.

The next table gives my findings about all one-number inside bets.

The following table contains analysis regarding two-number (split) inside bets.

The next segment presents my analysis regarding three-number (street) inside bets.

The next analysis delves into four-number (corner) inside bets.

The following table provides insights into the analysis of the five-number bet (covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3).

The subsequent table outlines my analysis regarding all six-number (double street) inside bets.

Strategy

My general advice for playing any gambling game is to focus on the bets that typically offer the highest expected returns. For a double-zero wheel, the best strategy is to make inside bets on a single number, which carries a house edge of 5.33%. Two-number and three-number bets have only slightly higher house edges of 5.54% and 5.89% respectively.

It's important to mention that the house edge in traditional double-zero roulette is slightly lower at 5.26%. However, this is just a negligible difference of 0.07% compared to the single-number inside bet in Double Ball Roulette.

Single-Zero Analysis

Here are a couple of images from the single-zero Double Ball Roulette offered by Felt Gaming. Click on either to expand.

Outside Bets

The following tables provide an analysis of Outside bets on a single-zero wheel, where both balls need to land on a winning number for a win.

Next, you'll find my breakdown of bets involving 18 winning numbers, which include categories like red, black, odd, even, low (1 to 18), and high (19 to 36).

The following table presents my analysis of bets involving 12 winning numbers, categorized into first, second, and third sets of 12, as well as by columns.

The next table illustrates my analysis of all single-number bets placed on a single-zero wheel.

Following this, I analyze the red/black betting scenario on a single-zero wheel, where one ball must land red and the other black.

Inside Bets

The tables that follow provide insights into Inside bets on a single-zero wheel. For these bets, landing a win with just one ball is sufficient, and if both succeed, the payout is doubled.

The next table gives my findings about all one-number inside bets.

The following table contains analysis regarding two-number (split) inside bets.

The next segment presents my analysis regarding three-number (street) inside bets.

The next analysis delves into four-number (corner) inside bets.

The following table focuses on my evaluations of all six-number (single street) inside bets.

Strategy

In any game based on chance, the ideal strategy is to pick bets with the lowest house edge. In this scenario, the single-number inside bet stands out with a house edge of 2.78%. If that feels too risky for your preferences, the double-number inside bet comes in at a marginally higher 2.99%.

Internal Links

• Double Action Roulette — A similar game format exists with one ball used across two different wheels.

External Links

• Double Ball Roulette — Site by the makers of the game.
• Wizard of Vegas — Further discussions regarding Double Ball Roulette are available in my forum.

Written by: Michael Shackleford