Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, known for its excitement and unpredictability. Different types of roulette vary in their rules and gameplay. The three most common types are American, European, and French. In this article, we want to inform you about the differences and main features of these roulettes.
American Roulette
The most popular kind of roulette is American roulette. It has a wheel with 38 numbered compartments, two green, and has the numbers 0 and 00 written on them. Because of the additional pocket, winning at American roulette is more difficult. Players can put inside and outside bets on the game layout, which is played using chips of various colors.
The goal of American roulette is to predict where the ball will fall on the rotating wheel with accuracy. Only a couple of the several wagers players can make inside and outside bets on the layout. In contrast to outer bets, which are put on bigger groupings of numbers, inside bets are made on a single number or a set of neighboring numbers. There are several inside wagers:
- Straight Bet: A bet placed on a single number by putting the chip directly on that number.
- Split Bet: A bet placed on two adjacent numbers by putting the chip on the line between them.
- Street Bet: A bet placed on three numbers in a row by placing the chip on the outside line of the row.
- Corner Bet: A bet placed on four numbers that meet at one corner by placing the chip on that corner.
- Five Bet: A bet exclusive to American roulette where a player can place a bet on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 by placing the chip on the line between 0 and 1.
The outside bets include:
- Red/Black: A bet placed on either red or black.
- Odd/Even: A bet placed on either odd or even numbers.
- Low/High: A bet placed on either low numbers (1-18) or high numbers (19-36).
- Dozens: A bet placed on one of three groups of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36).
- Columns: A bet placed on one of three columns of 12 numbers on the layout.
Once all bets have been placed, the dealer will spin the wheel and release the ball. The winning number is determined by the pocket the ball lands in. The dealer will then pay out winnings to players who correctly predicted the winning number or combination of numbers.
European Roulette
While having one significant distinction, European roulette differs from American roulette in that it only has 37 pockets on the wheel. The absence of the 00 pocket lowers the house advantage and raises the likelihood that a player will win. The betting possibilities and colored chips used in the European roulette game are the same as those in American roulette. European roulette’s key characteristics are as follows:
- Wheel: The wheel used in European Roulette features 37 pockets, numbered from 1 to 36, with one green pocket marked 0. This differs from American Roulette, which has an additional green pocket marked 00.
- Betting Options: European Roulette offers a range of betting options, including inside and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on individual numbers or groups of adjacent numbers, while outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers such as odd/even or red/black.
- House Edge: The house edge in European Roulette is 2.70%, which means that for every $100 wagered, the casino expects to keep $2.70 on average. This is lower than the house edge in American Roulette, which is 5.26%.
- La Partage and En Prison Rules: European Roulette also features two special rules that can help to lower the house edge even further. These rules are called “La Partage” and “En Prison.”
- Odds: The odds of winning in European Roulette depend on the type of bet placed. The highest payout is for a straight-up bet (35:1), a bet placed on a single number. The lowest payout is for an even money bet, such as red/black or odd/even (1:1).
Important to mention La Partage rule states that if the ball lands on 0, all outside bets lose, except for those placed on the winning number itself or on combinations of numbers that include 0. In this case, the player receives half of their bet back. En Prison rule states that if the ball lands on 0, all outside bets are “imprisoned,” which means they remain on the table for the next spin. If the player wins on the next spin, they receive their full bet back. If they lose, they forfeit the bet.
French Roulette
French roulette is the least common of the three types, but still popular among some players. It has the same wheel as European roulette, with 37 pockets, but a different betting layout. Instead of the usual outside bets like Red/Black and Odd/Even, French roulette has two special outside bets: “En Prison” and “La Partage.” These bets can further reduce the house edge if the ball lands on 0. Here are the main features and laws of French Roulette:
- Wheel: Like European Roulette, French Roulette features a wheel with 37 pockets, numbered from 1 to 36, with one green pocket marked 0.
- Betting Options: French Roulette offers a range of betting options, including inside and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on individual numbers or groups of adjacent numbers, while outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers such as odd/even or red/black. In addition, French Roulette offers several special bets, known as “Call Bets” or “Announced Bets.”
- Call Bets: Call Bets in French Roulette are a series of pre-determined bets placed on specific combinations of numbers on the layout. They are called “Call Bets” because the player announces them to the dealer instead of placing chips on the table. Some examples of Call Bets include “Voisins du Zero” (Neighbors of Zero), “Tiers du Cylindre” (Thirds of the Wheel), and “Orphelins” (Orphans).
- En Prison Rule: French Roulette also features the “En Prison” rule, which is similar to the rule in European Roulette. If the ball lands on 0, all outside bets are “imprisoned,” which means they remain on the table for the next spin. If the player wins on the next spin, they receive their full bet back. If they lose, they forfeit the bet.
- La Partage Rule: In addition to the En Prison rule, French Roulette also features the “La Partage” rule. This rule states that if the ball lands on 0, all even money bets are split in half, with half returned to the player and half kept by the casino.
- House Edge: The house edge in French Roulette is 1.35% on even money bets when the La Partage rule is in effect, which is the lowest of all roulette variations.
- Odds: The odds of winning in French Roulette are similar to those in European Roulette, with a straight-up bet offering a payout of 35:1 and even money bets offering a payout of 1:1.
The features of French roulette are very near to European ones. However, as mentioned above, unique features and rules separate this two popular roulette.
The Bottom Line
While American, European, and French roulette is a variation of the same classic casino game, they have a few key differences. Differences can be seen in Wheel, House Edge, Betting Options, and Rules. However, with all these differences, players can find and enjoy the most comfortable and profitable roulette. To gain the best gambling experiences, players need to choose a trustable and reputable online platform such as PinUP that can provide the best offers to its customers.