Roulette is a classic table game where players try to predict the outcome of a ball from a spinning wheel. The game has several variants with similar objectives but slight differences in gameplay and rules. This article focuses on American and European Roulettes. Read on as we establish the major differences between these variants.
Wheel Layout and Number Differences
One of the significant differences between American and European Roulette is their wheels. The wheel’s layout directly influences the house edge and player odds.
In this section, we look into the wheel structure and their number differences. You’ll also learn how the layout influences your gaming.
European Roulette
This variant has a wheel layout consisting of 37 pockets. These pockets are numbers ranging from 1 to 36 plus a zero. With this layout, the casino is left with a low minimum house edge.This means the player has boosted winning probabilities.
American Roulette
Unlike the European variant, American roulette’s wheel is equipped with 38 pockets. The numbers on the wheel range from 1 to 36 with a 0. It has an extra number of 00 which is the difference from European roulette. The extra pockets increase the American version’s house edge.
House Edge and Player Odds
The house edge is the casino’s automated advantage against your odds to win. This house edge varies significantly between the European and American Roulette due to the difference in their wheels. Let’s compare the casino’s advantage and player odds of each variant.
European Roulette
This roulette has only one zero pocket in its wheel. Based on this feature, the player odds becomes 48.6% for each event on a 50/50 wager. On the other hand, with a single-number bet (1 of 37 pockets), the casino gets a house edge of 2.7%.
American Roulette
This version of roulette has a 0 and an extra 00 number in its 38 pocket-wheel. Therefore, players get 47.4% odds for each event on even-money bets. In the single-number bets (1 in 38), the casino has a 5.26% advantage, which is almost double of European roulette.
Betting Options and Rules
American and European Roulette share the standard betting options for roulette. However, their rules differ significantly owing to the difference in the design of their wheels.
Betting Options
Inside bets are: Straight-up, Split, Street, Corner, and Line bet. Outside bets are: Red/Black, High/Low, Odd/Even, and Columns/Dozens.
Rules
American Roulette does not offer any extra friendly rule beyond the basic rules of the Roulette.
European Roulette offers extra-friendly rules outside the basic game rules.
It offers La Portage: Where you lose only half your wager if the ball lands on zero for even-money wagers. En Prison: Here, if the ball falls on 0, even-money wagers are confiscated and carried over to the following spin. If you win the subsequent spin, your initial bet is refunded.
Gameplay Experience in Online Casinos
While you are playing roulette online, you are going to discover that the appearance and functionality of the European and American versions are similar, with the same sleek interfaces, betting layouts, and even live dealers. However, one major difference impacts your experience.
American and European Roulette have identical layouts. Both versions make use of the standard betting grid. The game flow of both games is similar (place bet – spin – ball lands – payouts). Lastly, the live dealer options for both games are similar. They are both streamed in HD from studios.
The key difference between them is the extra 00 present in the American Roulette. This extra feature increases the house edge of the game to 5.26% compared to the 2.7% of European Roulette. Hence, when trying out a roulette variant such as French Roulette for example, ensure that you check the wheels and look for the number of zeros to determine the type of roulette you are playing.
Which Version Should You Play Online?
The answer to this question lies in your priorities. You make a choice either based on your mathematical advantage against the house (player odd) or based on personal preference. Here is a tip on how to make the best decision.
For European Roulette, the following applies:
- Low house edge (2.7%).
- Player-friendly rules.
- Smart long-term play.
For American Roulette, these criteria should be considered:
- Familiarity (most common option in US casinos).
- High risk and high rewards.
- Casual play (not playing for profits).
If you are a player who doesn’t want the big risk, European Roulette is for you. However, if you are a player who finds thrill in risk, American Roulette is your go-to option. Check out each roulette version for free and determine which matches your gaming.
