In any casino, roulette happens to be one of the most popular games. Several variations to the game have developed over the years. The most prominent versions are American roulette and European roulette. Each of these two games has its own detractors and supporters. Both games follow the typical roulette format. There are, however, rules, bets, odds, and layouts that are particular to each variation.
In the guide below, you will traverse the ins and outs of both American and European roulette. You will understand the differences between the two and determine which game suits your style of play. This information is important to note, regardless of your experience in the casino. You can have a look at our other game guides too.
European vs. American Roulette: The Layout
The European and American roulette wheels have different layouts. The European roulette wheel has 37 pockets, numbered from 0 to 36. On the other hand, the American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, numbered from 0 to 36, with an additional double zero (00) pocket. Like the European wheel, the numbers are not in sequential order.
As for their table layout, they are mostly similar, with the only real difference being the extra ‘00’ section on the American roulette table layout. However, there might be some slight variations in language depending on the version of roulette.
House Edge
One major difference between American and European roulette is how the pocket numbers’ variation tends to affect the house edge throughout the game. When players are choosing the game they want to play, this is a main factor.
In European roulette, the presence of the zero on the wheel does tip the odds against you each time you make a bet, making the house edge 2.70%.
For example, if you place a wager on red with 18 black and 18 red pockets, your assumption might be that you have a 50% probability of winning. However, because the ‘0’ is green, the odds of winning are actually slightly less than 50%. The house edge of American roulette is 5.26%. This is nearly double that of its European counterpart. This is because the American roulette wheel has both a ‘0’ (one zero) pocket and a ’00’ (double zero) pocket. This gives the house a greater advantage when you wager, especially on even money bets.
Since the house edge in European roulette is much lower, you stand a greater chance of winning. It’s worth noting that while the payouts are the same across different formats, the odds are not due to the additional zero in the American variant
European vs. American Roulette: The Rules
The basic rules in roulette are indeed similar across different variants of the game, but there are specific actions that players can take when playing European roulette as opposed to American roulette, and vice versa.
In European roulette, there are two important rules that a player can utilize. The first is known as the ‘En Prison’ rule. This allows you to have another spin if you have placed an even-money wager and the ball lands on ‘0’ (zero). If you take advantage of this rule, you can reduce the house edge to as low as 1.35%.
‘Call bets’ can be made when you are playing on a European roulette wheel. These bets are announced by the dealer, which is different from a normal bet where you would place your chips on the betting table.
It should be noted that a ‘call bet’ is used for more complex betting actions. For example, a ‘five number bet’ can be placed on an American roulette table. This wager is placed on 1, 2, 3, 0, and (double zero) 00. This is why you cannot play this on a European table. The house edge for this bet is a high 7.9%, making the bets quite risky. The payout is 6:1. However, this is still one of the least profitable bets made on the American roulette wheel and should be avoided.
It’s important to note that some of these rules may not be available in online versions of the game, so it’s wise to check before you play.
American Roulette
Playing American roulette and understanding how the double zeros influence the odds is crucial and betting isn’t confined to predicting the exact number the ball will land on. You can wager on whether the outcome will be an even or odd number, or if it will be a black or red number. All these bets pay out at even money (2.0), meaning you could double your stake if you’re fortunate, or lose the same amount if not. The presence of the green zero gives the casino an advantage on these bets, which increases with the addition of a double zero.
Consequently, your winning odds for these bets are 47.37% on an American roulette wheel and slightly higher at 48.65% on European roulette wheels. You’re also permitted to bet on high and low numbers, groups of numbers, columns, and more. Each bet slightly reduces your chances of winning, and over time, these small margins can accumulate.
Have a look and play American roulette.
European Roulette
Many players prefer the single zero roulette wheel layout, which is a characteristic of European roulette, after considering the pros and cons of both variants. The single zero increases your chances of winning with each spin. Even if the game has better odds, it’s still important that you familiarize yourself with the rules in playing European roulette.
The ‘La Partage’ rule is a feature of European roulette tables. This rule states that if a player makes an even-money bet on black or red, for example, and the ball lands on zero, they will receive half of their bet back. This effectively cuts the house edge in half on these bets. The ‘En Prison’ rule, a variant of ‘La Partage’, allows the player to reclaim their wager after a spin of zero.
Test your luck and play European roulette at Bspin.
Which Roulette Type is Better?
The answer to which is better between American and European roulette depends completely on what you value in the game. If you want to make some money, the European roulette table will offer you the best experience. It has a lower house edge, and you can employ the ‘En Prison’ rule, which is a great help to the player in the game. You are more likely to produce a win in European roulette than in its American counterpart. Please have a look at some of the casino promotions and bonuses on these games.
Conclusion
European and American wheel roulette are games that are extremely popular with players all over the world. You will find that some casinos will only offer one of the two. It is thus imperative to have built up a great understanding of both. In the long run, you will note that it is much easier to enjoy a successful streak when on European roulette as it only has one zero.
FAQ
Are the betting options different between European and American roulette?
American Roulette distinguishes itself with an extra betting option known as the Five-Number bet, and the presence of a double zero pocket. On the other hand, European Roulette offers Call Bets and an optional rule known as ‘en prison’, which provides players with an additional chance to win money if the result is zero on an even money bet. Furthermore, European roulette games in physical casinos typically carry higher betting minimums. Also, keep in mind that the house edge in American roulette is almost double that of European roulette, primarily due to the additional 00 number.
How do the differences between American and European roulette affect the odds?
The ‘en prison’ rule in European Roulette provides an additional chance to win on an even money bet if the result is zero, a rule not present in American Roulette. Unique bets also exist in each version, with ‘call bets’ in European and the ‘five number bet’ in the American variant. These differences significantly affect the odds and strategy of the game.
Are there strategies that work better on one variant against the other?
Betting strategies can vary between American and European Roulette due to differences in house edge and rules. Strategies involving even money bets like the Martingale or D’Alembert systems could potentially benefit from the ‘en prison’ rule in European Roulette. However, no roulette strategy guarantees consistent wins in either variant but helps with managing your bankroll
What are the other roulette variants?
Other variants of roulette include the French roulette which uses the European wheel format with additional betting options and rules like ‘En Prison’ and ‘Le Partage’. Mini Roulette involves a wheel with 13 numbers. Double Ball Roulette uses two balls instead of one. Rapid Roulette involves a real roulette wheel, but players place bets on a touch screen. Multiplayer and Multiwheel Roulette allow for multiple players or wheels. Each variant offers a unique gaming experience with different odds and strategies. Check out our list of roulette games and give them a try.
Where to play roulette online?
You can play a roulette game through an online casino like Bspin.