Evolution Lightning Roulette Review: How to Play, Tips & Hints
Introduction
Since its launch in 2018, Lightning Roulette and its multiplier numbers have become game changers in Live Dealer games. They’ve turned traditional on its head, challenging the norm and sparking a flurry of imitation games that have propelled the live casino industry in a direction no one predicted. Thanks to Todd Haushatler and his team at Evolution, we now have multipliers in all sorts of games.
Alright, I hold my hands up and admit that when I first saw and played Lightning Roulette all those years ago, I didn’t get it. I wondered why on earth a Roulette player would sacrifice traditional pay-outs for the chance of a more risky multiplier.
Looking back, it’s obvious: the risk is where the fun is. Reduced pay-outs are easily ignored for the chance to win a 500x multiplier, especially when the standard payout on Roulette for a straight-up number has always been 35:1.
In this review, I’ll explain what makes up Lightning Roulette and how it’s different from regular Roulette. I’ll also provide an overview of how you play and how the game has developed over the years.
I’ll also examine the games it has influenced, highlighting some newer innovations that make alternative games even more appealing.
If you're looking for a strategy, try this article, where I reveal 5 Strategies for Winning.
Neil’s Top Casino Recommendations For Lightning Roulette
Why Should You Listen To Me?
My name is Neil. I’ve been reviewing and playing live casino games since 2013, and that’s all I do.
I make it my business to know the games and the companies that create them inside out. I visit the studios to see what goes on behind the scenes, and as a result, I’m known in the industry as a trusted reviewer who says it as it is. You can read more on my About Me page.
What is Lightning Roulette & what are Lightning Numbers?
Lightning Roulette is a live dealer game of European Roulette with a few additional twists.
Up to five Lightning Numbers get chosen each game round to receive enhanced payouts of between 50x and 500x, replacing the standard straight-up bet payout.
All other Straight-up Bets have a reduced payout of 29:1, which is how the multipliers are funded.
The 50x, 100x, 200x, 300x, 400x & 500x multipliers are randomly assigned by RNG during a lightning sequence just after betting time has closed. Between one and five numbers can receive multipliers up to 500x.
The multipliers can only be won from a Straight-Up bet. So, if you’re thinking of playing Inside bets like splits, corners, lines, and streets and hoping to catch a bit of a multiplier, forget it. You only win if the whole bet covers the number.
You win when the roulette ball lands in a numbered pocket with a multiplier. If you’ve bet on a number and it wins without a multiplier, you get the standard Straight-Up payout of 29:1.
RTP, House Edge and Payouts
Lightning Roulette has a good theoretical payout (RTP) of 97.10%, which means the house edge is only 2.90% on Straight-Up Bets.
The rest of the game is the same as European Roulette, which has a house edge of 2.70%. French Roulette gives players the best return, with a house edge of 1.35%.
As the Straight-Up payout is reduced from 35:1 to 29:1, then the house edge if you don't get a win multiplier increases significantly, from 2.70% to 18.92%, as there is 216x less of a payout across the board. But the average over millions of spins is 97.10% or 2.90% house edge.
Payouts
The payouts for Lightning Roulette conform to the European Roulette paytable, with one exception, the Straight-Up bet, which you can see in the payables below for the Inside and Outside bet positions.
Inside Bet Payouts
| Bets | Other Names | Payout | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Number | Straight, Straight-Up | 29:1 - 499:1 | 2.70% |
| 2 Numbers | Split | 17-1 | 5.41% |
| 3 Numbers | Street, Line, Basket* | 11-1 | 8.11% |
| 4 Numbers | Corner, Square | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| 6 Numbers | 6 Line, Double Street | 5-1 | 16.22% |
Outside Bet Payouts
| Bet | Other Names | Payout | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Column | 2-1 | 32.43% | |
| 1st 12 (Dozen) | 2-1 | 32.43% | |
| 2nd 12 (Dozen) | 2-1 | 32.43% | |
| 3rd 12 (Dozen) | 2-1 | 32.43% | |
| Odd | 1-1 | 48.65% | |
| Even | 1-1 | 48.65% | |
| Red | Colour Bet | 1-1 | 48.65% |
| Black | Colour Bet | 1-1 | 48.65% |
| Low | 1-18 | 1-1 | 48.65% |
| High | 19-36 | 1-1 | 48.65% |
How To Play Lighting Roulette
- Find an online casino that offers Evolution Live games and allows players from your country to sign up and play. I recommend Playojo, which covers most countries and offers Evolution Live Games.
- Make a deposit using a payment method that suits you. The above casinos accept most payment methods.
- Locate the Live Casino Games Tab and search for “Lightning Roulette.” Don’t pick XXXtreme Lightning Roulette; this is a very volatile game version. Perhaps it’s something to try later.
- Lightning Roulette will be in the Evolution Games lobby under Roulette. Click on the game to launch it.
- Place your bets on the betting grid, first choosing your chip value. You can click directly on numbers or use the Special Bets facility to place Straight-Up numbered bets in different configurations.
- Place any other bets you want before Betting Time ends.
- The game host pulls a switch, which starts the Lightning Number selection process, which chooses the numbers, how many, and the multipliers. These are displayed on the betting grid and the large screen on the wall behind the presenter.
- The Auto Roulette wheel jumps to life as the ball enters the outer rim. The ball spins around the wheel until it rests in one of the numbered pockets.
- Players with winning bets are paid out, and if the number contains a multiplier, the winning players receive the enhanced payout.
Differences between Lightning Roulette and Standard Roulette
The first obvious difference is the multipliers and pay-out table.
The difference between pay tables is the Straight-up bets. As you’ll see from the table, the Straight-Up payout for Lightning Roulette can be between 29:1 and 499:1, or as it’s expressed on screen, 30:1 to 500x, including your returned bet.
| Lightning Roulette | European Roulette | |
|---|---|---|
| Number Of Zeros | One | One |
| Straight-Up Payout | 29:1, with up to 5 random win multipliers | 35:1 |
| Even-Money Bets Payout | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Win Multipliers | 50x, 100x, 200x, 300x, 400x, 500x. | None |
| House edge | 2.70% | 2.70% |
But you may not have appreciated other small differences that make Lightning roulette unique.
- The studio and game presentation are on another level. The big screen behind the dealer is the first of its type. It shows the betting grid and then the Lightning Numbers and Multipliers as they are chosen.
- The game host controls and presents the game and is responsible for initiating the Lucky Lightning Numbers selection phase by pulling a rather ornate electrical switch.
- The addition of lightning animation and the specially designed studio, with its retro art deco theme, adds an air of mystery. It reminded me of the first time I saw Dr. Frankenstein’s lab in old movies. Perhaps that’s where Evolution got its inspiration!
- Not seen before, animations on the betting grid highlight the multiplier numbers, enhancing the player experience while you wait for the ball to drop into the pocket.
- Finally, this one is tucked away, so it's difficult to find. The Special Bets menu offers an alternative way of placing multiplier straight-up bets, making it easier to cover numbers with straight-up bets.
5 Reasons to Play Lightning Roulette
- Surprisingly, Lightning Roulette is easier to play than European Roulette because you only need to concentrate on placing Straight-Up bets. A Straight-Up bet on a number or multiple numbers will get you the wins with big payouts. You're better off playing European Roulette if you're playing other bets.
- You don't need to understand how to play other bets or use special techniques. This is a game about Straight-Up betting.
- You're playing with many other people, so Chat is very busy, and the presenters do a great job keeping the conversations flowing.
- The payouts are bigger! The maximum payout for a single number is 500x, rather than 36:1 on regular roulette.
- The game is volatile, so if you can cope with smaller wins before the big wins come and you like adrenalin-fueled games, this is one for you!
5 Reasons Why Lightning Roulette May Not Be For You
- The Multipliers are not easy to hit. You don’t get five for every game; some may only have one or two.
- The 500x multiplier is quite elusive. It doesn’t appear that often, so winning is even more difficult.
- You must place multiple Straight-Up bets each game to try and hit the multipliers. This can get expensive.
- The 29:1 payout for non-multiplier numbers is lower than standard roulette at 35:1.
- The game is volatile, so you’ll lose money more quickly if you don’t hit a multiplier.
How Lightning Roulette has got better since its first release.
It's common for games to have a series of updates after the initial release, generally to improve playability and presentation through the user Interface. The main area of improvement has been placing bets. Originally, there was no help placing Straight-Up bets, but after feedback, the Special Bets menu was improved with many pre-configured options for Straight-Up betting.
Straight-Up Betting on Lightning Roulette
You can use these special pre-configured bets to place Stratight-Up bets. Normally, the functionality on the Race Track or main betting grid covers areas of the wheel or multiple numbers with one chip. The Special Bets menu makes it possible to cover every number with a chip. It is possible to bet on All numbers, just use the Straight-Up option in the menu, or failing that, just click every number on the betting grid.
- Straight-Up: will place a bet on all numbers.
- Red: All Red numbers receive a chip.
- Black: All Black numbers receive a chip.
- Odd: All Odd numbers get a chip.
- Even: All even numbers receive a chip.
- 1-18: Numbers between 1 & 18 all get a chip.
- 19-36: Numbers between 19 & 36 get a chip.
- 1st Column: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 all get a chip.
- 2nd Column: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, and 35 all get one chip.
- 3rd Column: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 & 36, get a chip each.
- 1st Dozen: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 get one chip.
- 2nd Dozen: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 get a chip.
- 3rd Dozen: 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 & 36 get a chip.
- Tiers: 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33 & 36 get one chip each.
- Voisins: 0, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, and 35 all get one chip.
- Orphelins: 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31 & 34 all get one chip.
- Zero: 0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32 & 35 all receive one chip.
Playing Lightning Roulette
Lightning Roulette provides a level of entertainment and frustration that regular roulette doesn't. So don't play this game if you're interested in grinding out a result and long-term profit.
This game is ideal for players who want a quick adrenaline hit, whether from a win or losing their bankroll chasing the multipliers.
You can't play this game with a small bankroll. Your bankroll needs to support multiple bets each game and be able to ride the losses from consecutive losing games. The thrill is in the chase, and this game provides that.
Lightning Roulette Video Review and Demo
Have a look at my video review and demo. I explain how to play and demonstrate some of the betting strategies I discuss in this article.
Lightning Roulette Video Review
How to Win At Lightning Roulette
If I genuinely knew that, I'd be rich! However, you can do some things to improve your chances of winning.
The first is Bankroll Management – How you manage your bankroll is significant. It dictates how long you can play for, how much you'll win and how much you'll lose on each spin. Betting more than you can win on a spin is just plain stupidity, so when you bet, ensure that if any bet wins, it covers your total bet amount and ideally makes you a small profit. It doesn't matter what strategy you use, this is a fundamental things to do. Also, don't bet more than 1-2% of your bankroll on any one spin.
The second is to use a Strategy for playing. Decide how you're going to bet and stick to it. There are many documented online strategies, but the ones you should be interested in cover Straight-Up bets. Most cover outside bets, which are easier to win but won't work on this game. I've created some Lightning Roulette Strategies. Take a look at what I do.
How successful has Lightning Roulette been?
Lightning Roulette is Evolutions' most popular Roulette Game. Thousands of players play this game at the same time. At one time, it was Evolutions' most popular game until Crazy Time came along and smashed all records.
How does Lightning Roulette compare with other Multiplier Roulette games – where does it stand now?
Lightning Roulette is the de facto standard by which all other multiplier game developers measure themselves. In terms of player numbers, it still commands the Number 1 Spot for all Multiplier games; it's the game played by most players.
However, newer versions of multiplier roulette games have since appeared.
Some are copies, like Quantum Roulette and Mega Roulette.
Others have expanded the bets that qualify for the Multipliers to include all Inside bets, such as Gravity Roulette, Mega Fire Blaze Roulette, and Diamond Rush Roulette. Outside bets are included in Cabaret Roulette.
Then there are the multiplier roulette games with additional Bonus Rounds, such as Super Stake Roulette, Red Door Roulette, Gold Vault Roulette, Sticky Bandits Roulette – the list goes on.
It's fair to say that if you like multipliers, there is a game for everyone, but the firm favourite is still Lightning Roulette.
A Game for All Device Types
The attention to detail in the User Interface is impressive. This game can be played on any device type. You'll have the same playing experience whether you are on a Mobile Phone - Android or iPhone, Tablet or desktop.
The Autoplay feature allows you to play between five and 100 game rounds consecutively, assuming you have the bankroll to cover all the spins. Auto Play also provides an efficient method for managing your bankroll, allowing you to preset the chip amount so it's replicated on every spin.
Summary
Over the years, I've come to appreciate Lightning Roulette and have a newfound admiration for this innovative game that Evolution produced. Who knew it would have such an influence on live casino games? I'm glad I was wrong and am big enough to admit it. Are you reading this, Todd?
Lightning Roulette is a more volatile game of European Roulette, but with it comes the chance to win up to 500x on a straight-up bet.
For a reason, it's the most popular Live Roulette game of any live casino operator. It has a great studio and a fantastic game presentation. This game connects with your emotions, giving you highs and lows in just a few spins.
You'll have long playing sessions if you manage your bankroll carefully and have a decent strategy. As the saying goes, you must be "in it to win it"!
If Lightning Roulette hits your sweet spot, why don't you try some of the other multiplier roulette games.
Popular Questions About Lightning Roulette
While playing Lightning Roulette, I've been asked many questions about the game. Here are some of the most popular questions and answers.
Can Lightning Roulette Results be predicted?
Since each game round is an independent game of chance, unrelated to all past and future outcomes, you can’t use past results as indicators of future performance. There can be no hot or cold streaks.
Historical results will show how the game usually performs. Betting on Straight-Up numbers has an RTP of 97.10%. There will be an average of three Lucky Numbers per spin, most commonly 100x and 50x, larger ones being rarer.
If you look at the last 500 results in-game, you’ll likely find about 25 multiplier wins, with at least one being the 500x multiplier. The game seems to drop these regularly enough to make players chase them.
What Are the Usual Statistics for Lightning Roulette Multipliers
As I said above, expect three Lucky Numbers on your spin, which will occur two out of three times. Sometimes, you may see two or four Lucky Numbers, with one or five rare.
Based on my observations, 80% of the multipliers will be 50x or 100x, with the latter being more common. You might see a 200x or a 300x multiplier from time to time, and 500x is rare.
The average multiplier is around 75x, with a combined total of around 225x per spin. The two most common scenarios are 50x, 50x, 100x and 50x,100x, 100x.
Here’s a statistic: if you wagered £1 on a random number in regular roulette, your chance to win is 1 / 37 = 2.70%. If you wagered £1 on a random number in Lightning Roulette, your chance to hit the number is the same, but the chance to hit the number and have any multiplier on it is about 0.20% or once every 500 spins.
You can improve these odds by placing bets on multiple numbers. For example, if you placed bets on five numbers, your expected win frequency would be once every 100 spins.
Is Lightning Roulette Rigged?
Many players wonder if Lightning Roulette is rigged.
Two areas often receive criticism: the wheel and whether results can be influenced. Second, just how random are the multipliers?
Let’s deal with each one separately.
The Roulette Wheel and its operation undergo regular maintenance, following Licensing and manufacturer guidelines. Compliance personnel check the Wheel operation to see if it’s balanced and if rota speeds operate within the stated tolerance. The size and weight of the ball is also checked. The wheel used in Lightning Roulette is a sealed Auto Roulette wheel, so the dealer does not play an active role in spinning the wheel.
The RNG Engine used by the casino to generate the multipliers and pick the numbers is thoroughly tested and certified by an outside agency on behalf of the licensing body responsible for passing the game. A complete history of Results is maintained, and external auditors can check those records to ensure the numbers selected are genuinely random.
Evolution Gaming provides only one Lightning Roulette table, which all online casinos use. If the game were rigged, all the casinos would be affected.
Some would benefit, some wouldn’t, so it would become apparent quickly if the wheel had been rigged. The Casinos wouldn’t stand for it, nor would customers, who would run to the hills. The result would be disastrous for the casinos and Evolution.
Trust is everything. I’m happy that the Licensing bodies and the Casinos have as much riding on clean games as players do.
In my opinion, Lightning Roulette is not rigged.
Can you Play in Demo Mode?
Unfortunately, you cannot play Lightning Roulette in demo mode or for free.
The best you can do is bet the minimum stake for the table, which is often 0.20 for a straight-up number.
If you’re trying the game out, bet low amounts and cover some outside bets to offset the losing straight-up bets.
Of course, you can watch other people play without placing a bet yourself.
Are there any Hacks or Cheats for Winning
This question is very popular. The simple answer is no, there isn’t.
If there were, everyone would be using them and the game and casinos wouldn’t make any money. However, there are strategies you can use to improve your chances of winning.
Is there more than one version of Lightning Roulette?
Lightning Roulette has become so popular that local language games have been created.
Depending on your location, it’s possible to play:
- RULETA RELÁMPAGO EN VIVO – Spanish localised Lightning Roulette streamed from a purpose-built studio in Spain.
- LIGHTNING ROULETTE ITALIA – Lightning Roulette with Italian-speaking game hosts.
- TURKISH LIGHTNING ROULETTE – Turkish-speaking game hosts on the Turkish variant of Lightning Roulette.
- ROLATA RELÁMPAGO – Lightning Roulette in localised Brazilian Portuguese.
- HINDI LIGHTNING ROULETTE – with its striking authentic atmosphere and native Hindi-speaking game hosts.
- GREEK LIGHTNING ROULETTE – Engaging Greek-speaking game hosts.
Of course, First Person Lightning Roulette is also available. It’s a pure RNG game from start to finish and is available in multiple languages. You can find it in the Live Casino Lobby under First Person Games.