European Roulette
| Updated: European Roulette: The Most Popular Roulette Variation Worldwide
Roulette is a game of chance that has gained great popularity over the years. It is offered in virtually every casino. The history of this exciting casino classic can be traced back to 17th-century France. Nowadays, it is so widespread that it is even played online. There are three main variations of the game: European, French and American. Of these, the European version is the most widely played. Although the basic rules are the same, there are a few key differences every gambler should bear in mind.
In all three variations, there is a wheel and a ball that the croupier spins. Players place their bets on which numbered pocket the ball will land in. Depending on the wager, gamblers do not necessarily need to guess the exact number. Unlike American roulette, which has two zero pockets, the European game has only one. This creates several differences in the betting layout and makes the European version more advantageous to players.
By comparing it with American roulette, we will outline some essential features of European roulette. We will also draw players’ attention to the two major categories of bets, as well as the so-called exotic call bets. The reason for the popularity of European roulette lies in its single zero, so keep reading to learn more.
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European Roulette Odds and Payouts
European roulette offers favourable odds because its single zero (0) pocket lowers the house edge to 2.70%. This key difference makes the game more player-friendly than the American version, which has an additional double-zero pocket. The lower casino advantage gives players better odds on every spin.
Whether you choose a riskier straight bet with a 35-to-1 payout or an even-money wager on colour, parity or range (high/low), European roulette accommodates a wide variety of strategies and risk tolerances. Its simple rules and varied betting options have helped make it a cornerstone of casino gaming. The table below shows the payouts and odds for the main bet types.
| Bet Type | Player Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight (single number) | 2.7% | 35 to 1 |
| Split (two numbers) | 5.4% | 17 to 1 |
| Street (three numbers) | 8.1% | 11 to 1 |
| Corner (four numbers) | 10.8% | 8 to 1 |
| Column | 32.4% | 2 to 1 |
| Dozen | 32.4% | 2 to 1 |
| Red/Black | 48.6% | 1 to 1 |
| Even/Odd | 48.6% | 1 to 1 |
| Low/High | 48.6% | 1 to 1 |
Differences Between European and American Roulette
The wheel is the emblem of roulette. The additional double-zero pocket in American roulette increases the casino’s advantage and reduces players’ chances of winning. For this reason, European roulette is preferred worldwide because it gives players better odds. The extra zero pocket in American roulette increases the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%. While the American wheel has 38 pockets (1 to 36, plus zero and double zero), the European version has 37 (1 to 36, plus zero). Both wheels share the same colour pattern: red and black numbers, with green reserved for the zero pocket or pockets. Odd and even numbers also alternate.
Although the order of the pockets may appear random, the numbers follow a fixed sequence around the wheel. Interestingly, adding all the numbers from 1 to 36 produces a total of 666, often called “The Devil’s Number”.
On the American wheel, the numbers appear more structured because those opposite one another are consecutive. Although there is no obvious pattern to how the numbers are arranged on the European wheel, they alternate almost perfectly between high (19-36) and low (1-18) numbers. The only exception is that 5 neighbours 10. Another subtle difference is their orientation: on the American wheel, the numbers face outward, whereas on the European wheel, they face the centre.
When it comes to colours, both wheels have 18 red and 18 black numbered pockets. Odd numbers from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28 are red, while the even numbers in those ranges are black. From 11 to 18 and 29 to 36, the pattern is reversed: odd numbers are black and even numbers are red.
The table betting section also differs because the croupier stands in a different position in the two versions. In American roulette, outside bets are placed along one side of the table, while in European roulette, they are positioned on both sides of the betting layout.
Although both games follow similar rules, one major difference cannot be overlooked. In American roulette, when the ball lands in a zero pocket, outside bets are lost. Under certain European rules, however, players may be able to recover all or half of an even-money stake when the ball lands in the zero pocket.
Another significant difference involves the chips. European roulette typically uses standard casino chips instead of the special roulette chips found in the American variant. This can make keeping track of bets slightly more challenging, so each player should pay close attention to where their wagers are placed. All bets are handled by the croupier with the aid of a special stick.
Possible Bets in European Roulette
The game begins when players place their chips on the different betting sections of the table. Bets are accepted until the croupier spins the ball and for a few seconds afterward, allowing time for last-minute wagers. Once the winning number has been announced, the croupier pays out the winning bets, while all losing chips are removed from the table. Players may then begin betting again. There are various wagering options, and each table has different minimum and maximum limits. Players can place as many bets as they like, provided they comply with those limits. The betting layout is similar to those used in other roulette variations, and the bets fall into two major groups: “inside” and “outside” bets.
Placing Bets on the Inside
Inside bets carry a lower chance of winning, but the payouts are much higher. The main types of inside bets are:
Straight Bet
This wager is placed on a single number. You put your money on one particular number and win only if the ball lands in that specific pocket. The payout is 35:1.
Split Bet
This wager is placed on two adjoining numbers by setting the chips on the line between them. For example, you might bet on 17 and 18 and win if the ball lands on either number. The payout is 17:1.
Street Bet
This wager covers three numbers in a horizontal row. Place the chips on the outer edge of the row, and you win if any of the three numbers comes up. The payout is 11:1.
Corner Bet
This wager is placed on four adjoining numbers by setting the chips at their intersection. Visually, the numbers form a square, such as 1, 2, 4 and 5. The payout is 8:1.
Six-Line Bet
This wager covers two “streets” (six numbers) by setting the chips at the intersection of the outer edge lines of both rows. For example, it could cover 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The payout is 5:1.
Placing Bets on the Outside
With outside bets, the odds of winning are higher, but the payouts are lower. The main types of outside bets are:
Column Bet
This wager covers all numbers in one of the three columns by placing the chips in the box at the end of the column. For example, it could cover 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34. The payout is 2:1.
Dozen / Group Bet
This wager covers the first (1-12), second (13-24) or third (25-36) group by placing the chips in the respective dozen box. The payout is 2:1.
Black / Red Bet
This wager is placed on either black or red by setting the chips on the corresponding colour box. The payout is 1:1, also known as even money.
Odd / Even Bet
This wager predicts whether the winning number will be odd or even by placing the chips on the corresponding box. The payout is even money.
High / Low Bet
This wager predicts whether the winning number will be low (1-18) or high (19-36) by placing the chips on the corresponding low or high box. The payout is even money.
The Exotic Call Bets
European roulette tables may include an additional betting area that mirrors the wheel. This area is called the racetrack, and the wagers placed on it are known as call bets. Here, the croupier places the wager on the player’s behalf. Three major bet types are included:
Voisins du Zéro
This bet is placed on the numbers neighbouring zero. You wager on 17 numbers located between 22 and 25 on the wheel: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2 and 25. It is a 9-chip bet: 2 chips on the 0-2-3 trio, 2 chips on the 25-26-28-29 corner, and the remaining chips as split bets.
Tiers du Cylindre
This bet covers the numbers opposite Voisins du Zéro. It is a 6-chip series of split bets covering the wheel sector from 27 to 33: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16 and 33.
Orphelins
This wager covers the remaining eight numbers. On either side of the wheel, the two sets are 17-34-6 and 1-20-14-31-9. The bet is usually made with 5 chips.
The Importance of the Zero Pocket
The American wheel includes an additional double-zero pocket, which increases the casino’s advantage. Mathematically, zero is neither even nor odd, neither high nor low, and neither red nor black on the wheel. This is why it represents the casino’s advantage. In the American variation, outside even-money bets lose when the ball lands in either zero pocket. Although European roulette also has a zero pocket, playing with only one zero reduces the chance of this happening. Moreover, certain European rules are more favourable to players because they may allow all or part of an even-money stake to be recovered when the ball lands in the zero pocket.
Whether you play roulette online or in a land-based casino, every wager can win or lose. Understanding the rules and applying a consistent strategy can help you make more informed decisions, but risk is always part of the game.
FAQ:
European Roulette offers a lower house edge of 2.70% due to its single zero compared to the 5.26% in American Roulette. This translates into higher chances of winning for the player.
The single zero drastically reduces the house edge, giving players a better shot at winning and more favorable odds than those in American Roulette.
Mix inside bets for higher payouts with outside bets for better odds. Consider placing call bets to cover larger sections of the wheel. Balance risk and reward for optimal play.
The racetrack allows for placing call bets like Voisins du Zero, adding excitement with strategic betting options beyond the standard layout.
The zero pocket in European Roulette gives the house a mathematical advantage over players. Rules like the La Partage reduce the negative impact of the zero by giving you a chance to partially recover your losing even-money stakes.