The Different Variations of Roulette

Tendai Moyo
Written byTendai MoyoWriter
Fact checked byDylan ThomasFact Checker

Gamblers have been captivated by roulette and its multinational versions and varieties for ages. Roulette, with its recognizable spinning wheel and the excitement of betting on where the ball will fall, is an old-school staple of any respectable casino.

However, what are the different variations of roulette? Also, are they available at the best online casino? The three most common variations of roulette are American, European, and French. Each version has its own rules, the roulette board in each game, the house edge, and what makes playing the different casino roulette tables so unique.

The Different Variations of Roulette

American Roulette: The 00 Version

Players need a special wheel with 38 slots (1 through 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero 00) to play American roulette. The slots in the American roulette wheel are red and black, and the zeroes are green. In contrast to European and French roulette, American roulette features a double zero compartment.

A second "zero" slot distinguishes American roulette from other forms of the game. Because of this extra compartment, the house edge in American roulette is much higher than in European or French versions. Depending on how many numbers in roulette wheels are, the number of betting options a player has also changes.

European Roulette: The Most Popular Game

The European roulette wheel has 37 slots, numbered from 1 to 36 plus a single zero. Each digit is either red or black, with zero being represented by a green space. Since the house edge in European roulette is smaller than in American roulette, it's more common among players.

The double zero slot is nowhere to be found in European roulette, which is the main distinction between the European and the American version of it. Because of this distinction, the house edge in European roulette is smaller, making the game much more appropriate to use not only strategies but also to have higher winning possibilities.

When compared to American roulette, European roulette has a smaller house edge of 2.70%. With only one zero slot, players have a smaller house edge because they have a lesser chance of having the ball fall in a losing pocket.

French Roulette: "La Version Francaise"

The French roulette wheel has also 37 roulette numbers (1 through 36 plus a single zero) just like the European version. French roulette differs most significantly from European roulette in its rules and betting possibilities.

France's take on the roulette game has its own set of rules and betting possibilities that set it apart from other variants. French roulette has its own distinct betting possibilities like "voisins du zero," "orphelins," and "tiers du cylindre," in addition to the standard "en prison" and "en prisoner" bets.

If a person bets even money (red/black, odd/even, high/low, etc.) and the ball falls in the zero slot, he or she will only lose half of their original wager (the La Partage regulation). French roulette offers the best chances to players because of this rule, which lowers the house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%.

Other Online Roulette Game Versions

After so many years, it's quite understandable that roulette offers different versions already. Plus, the creation of live dealer roulette has launched even more variations, thus giving the game a modern twist.

Multi-Wheel Roulette, Mini Roulette, and 3D Roulette are just a few of the many roulette variants out there - all three of them are also live versions. It's common practice for online casinos to allow players to practice these variants for free before allowing them to bet real money.

Mini Roulette

Thanks to software providers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming, roulette fans are now able to play Mini Roulette, which is a smaller version of the original online game. Mini Roulette can adapt to smaller screens - despite being played on a PC or laptop. This allows players to play roulette while doing another activity, like betting during a game.

Multi-Wheel Roulette

If one roulette wheel simply doesn't make it, there's also the chance to bet on roulette with up to eight games simultaneously. Multi-Wheel Roulette follows the European Roulette rules, with all of the games happening at the same time.

Live Dealer Roulette

Live dealer games are the perfect blend between the real-life experience and online versions. In the case of roulette, the live dealer roulette games allow players to interact with the dealer, watch an actual wheel spin, while making bets that the dealer places on a real table. Plus, live dealer roulette has multiple versions in most live casinos.

Pinball Roulette

It's time to forget about the classic roulette wheel and replace it with something fresh, like a pinball machine. This is the principle of Pinball Roulette, most famously from Playtech. The game bases on European Roulette rules, with a big difference in the layout. Obviously, this makes the game more exciting and dynamic.

The House Edge in Roulette

Here's a table that shows the house edge of the most common roulette variations:

Roulette Variation House Edge
European Roulette 2.70%
American Roulette 5.26%
French Roulette 1.35%
Mini Roulette 7.69%
Multi-Wheel Roulette 2.70% to 5.40%
Multi-Ball Roulette 2.70% to 5.40%
Double Ball Roulette 2.70% to 5.40%
Live Dealer Roulette 2.70% to 5.40%

Please note that the numbers given are not exact and can change depending on the specific rules and variations of the game being played. The term "house edge" means the average amount of money the casino expects to win for every bet placed over a long period of time.

Conclusion

Each roulette online game offers thrilling action. However, online roulette games are all different and it's crucial to get a hang of them before starting. For example, due to the La Partage rules, players have a better chance of winning in French roulette than in American roulette. In order to make the most of your online roulette experience, it is important to not only understand the differences between the various versions of the game but also to have a solid grasp of the roulette rules and common pitfalls to avoid.

Players can use the same strategies in all versions of roulette, but it's vital to be familiar with how many numbers on a roulette wheel there are, each version's rules and house edges to optimize winnings. It's recommended that players try out various types of roulette gamble online to discover the one they enjoy playing the most.

About the author
Tendai Moyo
Tendai Moyo
About

Tendai Moyo, a spirited Zimbabwean linguist, combines her rich cultural heritage with an astute understanding of gaming. As a master in English content localization, she tailors online casino guides to the pulse and preferences of Zimbabwean enthusiasts.

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What are the main variations of roulette?

American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette are the three most popular types of roulette. Even though each variation of roulette has its own rules and aesthetic quirks, they all share the basic premise of turning a wheel and placing a wager on whether or not the resulting ball will fall in a numerical spot.

How do American and European Roulette differ?

The wheel's shape is the main distinction between American and European Roulette. Since American Roulette also includes a double zero (00), the total number of betting spaces is now 38. In European Roulette, there is only one zero (0) slot, for a total of 37 possible betting options. The disparity in house edge is reflected in the fact that European competitors have a slight advantage.

What sets French Roulette apart from the other variations?

The French version has the same roulette wheel numbers as European Roulette. Still, it also features two additional rules called La Partage and En Prison, both of which can further reduce the house edge. La Partage refunds half of their bet if a player bets on an even-money stake and the ball falls on zero. If the ball falls on zero, players can "en prison," or hold their bet for the next spin, hoping to recoup their losses.

Can I use the same strategies for all roulette variations?

Even though many roulette tactics are universal, the most successful ones will vary based on the played variant. With a smaller house edge in European and French Roulette, for instance, the Martingale strategy can be more profitable. If a game has multiple variations, players should learn the rules of each one and adjust their tactics accordingly.

What is a "racetrack" in roulette, and which variations use it?

In European and French Roulette, a racetrack is an extra betting arrangement for players. It's a representation of the wheel's digits that lets players bet on clusters of numbers that are close together. Common examples include Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins. Players who only want to wager on certain wheel segments may find these bets more practical.

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