Table of Contents
- Difference between American, French, and European Roulette
- European Roulette Payout, House Edge, and Probability
- Different variations of European Roulette
- European Roulette FAQs
Difference between American, French, and European Roulette
Though the basic rules of playing European, French, and American Roulette are the same, they differ slightly. The first two are more similar to each other.
- The wheels used in European and French Roulette have a single zero pocket. They have 37 pockets for numbers from 1 to 36 and a green pocket for the single zero. American Roulette has two zero pockets, one for the single zero and the other for the double zero. The total number of pockets is 38, with two green pockets for the zeros and the rest for numbers 1-36.
- Hence, the house edge of 5.26% in American Roulette is higher than 2.70% in European and French Roulette.
- American Roulette allows placing the five-number/top-line bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. The payout for this bet is 6:1, and the house edge advantage is 7.89%. In European Roulette, this kind of bet is called the Basket bet, which includes four numbers – 0,1, 2, and 3. The house advantage here does not shoot up.
- The La Partage and the En Prison rule reduces the house edge further by half to 1.35% for even money bets in European and French Roulette. These two rules do not apply in American Roulette. In land-based casinos, players may be able to use the Surrender rule, which is similar to the La Partage rule. This rule can get the house edge down to 2.63% in American Roulette which is lower than the house edge of European Roulette.
- Players can place additional bets called Call/Announced bets using the racetrack layout in European and French Roulette. This option is not available in online American Roulette variations.
- The table layout in American Roulette has an extra box for the double zero. The European and French table layouts differ from each other too. Though the numbers layout is the same, the outside bets in European Roulette are mentioned only on one side and in English. The French table layout has outside bets mentioned on both sides of the layout and is written in French mostly.
- Chips used in many Roulette tables are called checks, as no denominations are mentioned. The eight sets of chips used in European Roulette have different colours for each set. Checks cannot be exchanged for real money because they do not have value. But, in French Roulette, players get real cash chips, not coloured chips/checks.
- The number placement on the European and French Roulette wheels is the same, while it differs for the American Roulette wheel. You will find the single zero green pocket on single zero wheels between numbers 26 (black pocket) and 32 (red pocket), while on double zero wheels, you will notice the single zero pocket between numbers 2 and 28 in black pockets each. The double zero pockets are between two red pockets numbered 1 and 27.
European Roulette Payout, House Edge, and Probability
The below table throws light on the various inside and outside bets and their payouts, house edge, and probability in European Roulette.
type of bet | payout | house edge | probability |
---|---|---|---|
Straight | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
Split | 17:1 | 2.70% | 5.41% |
Street | 11:1 | 2.70% | 8.11% |
Corner | 8:1 | 2.70% | 10.81% |
Six Line | 5:1 | 2.70% | 162% |
Column | 2:1 | 2.70% | 32.4% |
Dozen | 2:1 | 2.70% | 32.4% |
Red/Black | 1:1 | 2.70% | 48.64% |
Even/Odd | 1:1 | 2.70% | 48.64% |
High/Low | 1:1 | 2.70% | 48.64% |
Different variations of European Roulette
The single zero green pocket wheel used in European Roulette has few other versions. We will name some of the popular ones here:
The single zero green pocket wheel used in European Roulette has a few different versions. We will detail some of the popular ones here:
- Live Lightning Roulette: One to five lucky numbers are generated using the Random Number Generator, along with their randomly set multiplier payouts. The winner wins the multiplier payouts if they have placed a straight-up bet on one of the announced lucky numbers for that round. You can read more on this in our article Play Lightning Roulette for Real Money.
- Mini Roulette: The wheel in Mini Roulette is a smaller version of the single zero-pocket wheel. It has 13 number pockets from 0-12. Players can play bets like – Even, Odd, Black, Red, Column, Corner, Straight-up, and Splits. Half-dozen bets replace dozen bets. The payout for these bets is lower compared to regular European Roulette. A great benefit of Mini Roulette is that when a player loses a bet to zero, half of the stake will be automatically returned to the player.
- Double Ball Roulette: Two balls are used in Double Ball Roulette. These balls follow each other on the edge of the wheel and don’t run into each other. For inside bets, a player has a double chance of winning as both the balls could land on two different numbers. The payout for a straight-up bet is 17:1 if only a single ball lands on any selected number. Outside bet payouts are similar to standard Roulette payouts, but both the balls should win to win these kinds of bets. Players can use a remote control to shoot the ball. Double Ball Jackpot Bet is a striking feature of this game. The payout is 1300:1. The payout percentage may differ in some casinos. This bet requires both balls to land on the same spot of the selected number to win the jackpot.
European Roulette FAQs
How many zero pockets are on a European Roulette wheel?
The European Roulette wheel has a single zero green pocket.
Is European Roulette better than American Roulette?
Players prefer Europen Roulette over American Roulette because the house edge of the former one is lower. It is 2.70% s compared to the latter’s 5.26%.
Is Roulette a game of skill or luck?
Roulette is a luck-based game.