Roulette Versions: European vs. American vs. French - Odds & Rules

Looking through history, you will find that roulette has been around for a very long time. It's an old casino game that remains popular today. Roulette literally means 'little wheel' in French. In this article, we’ll talk about the different versions of the game.

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Till today, roulette remains a big deal in casinos, and here’s how it works: the dealer spins a wheel with numbers while a small ball spins in the opposite direction. Your job is to guess where the ball will land. Will it be a certain number? Or will it land on red or black? With so many ways to bet, the game stays exciting. Here’s a quick look at your betting options:

● Single number: Betting that the ball will land on a specific number, like 17.

● Group of numbers: Making a bet that the ball will land on any number in a range, like 1 to 12.

● Color: Here, players bet that the ball will land on either red or black.

And as expected, if the ball lands where you predicted, you win.

There are three main types of roulette: European, American, and French.

European Roulette

European Roulette is the most common version. It has 37 pockets (slots) numbered 1 to 36 and a single green zero. The single zero is essential to the game because it gives the players an advantage and offers them better odds than other versions. European roulette is a simple and fair game with a low house edge of about 2.7%.

American Roulette

American roulette is similar to European roulette, but with one particular difference: it has an extra green slot, a double zero (00). This double zero means that there are 38 slots instead of 37.

That small addition changes the whole game. Because of the two zeros(00) instead of one, the house edge increases to about 5.26%. Simply put, the casino has a better chance of winning in the long run. Although European roulette is potentially more rewarding for winners, it is also riskier, and because of this, experienced players often prefer to play European roulette over the American type.

French Roulette

French Roulette also uses a single-zero wheel, like the European version. However, two special rules differentiate it from the European version: La Partage and En Prison.

● La Partage means that if you place an even-money bet (like red/black or odd/even) and the ball lands on zero, you get half of your bet back.

● En Prison means if you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, your bet isn’t lost. Instead, it stays on the table for another spin. If you win on the next spin, you get your bet back.

These rules give French Roulette a lower house edge than the European version, which is why many players prefer it.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the versions in tabular form:

Besides the main types, online casinos offer other types of exciting roulette:

Mini Roulette

● This type of roulette uses a smaller wheel with only 13 pockets (1-12 and a single zero).

● There are fewer numbers, meaning different odds and more significant risks.

Multi-Wheel Roulette

● This roulette lets you bet on multiple wheels at the same time.

● There are more chances to win, but you’ll need a bigger bankroll.

Live Dealer Roulette

● Here, a real dealer spins the wheel via live streaming.

● Players get to experience an authentic casino atmosphere from home.

Lightning Roulette

● This type of roulette adds random multipliers (up to 500x) to specific numbers.

● It has a high-risk, high-reward gameplay with extra excitement.

Before investing in new roulette variations, many players prefer to try new casino games free to understand the differences in gameplay and odds.

Choosing the right roulette game depends on your strategy, risk level, and experience.

It comes down to what you're after. Better odds? Bigger wins? Or just a fun, real-feeling game? Remember, it's all about having a good time, so play smart and pick the version that clicks.

If you want to play it safe and have a better chance of winning, go for French Roulette. Feeling lucky and want to win big? American or Lightning Roulette might be your thing. Or, if you miss the real casino vibe, try Live Dealer Roulette. Try a few different games and see which one is your lucky game!