European Roulette vs. American – The Important Difference

european roulette online

If you’re looking to play a classic, no-nonsense game of roulette, then European Roulette is what you want to pick.

It is after all the original form of roulette that’s been passed down to us from 17th-century France!

European Roulette is without a doubt one of the most popular table games you’ll find at online casinos. There are so many ways you can play it, too.

Anything is possible, whether you’re looking for a quick virtual game, or you have time to sit down with a live dealer and play in real-time at a live casino.

American vs. European Roulette: Subtle Differences

After it was exported to the US, an “American” version of roulette appeared. In reality, there isn’t much difference between the two.

What changes is the amount of pockets on the roulette wheel itself.

  • European roulette wheel: 37 numbered pockets (1-36 + 0)
  • American roulette wheel: 38 numbered pockets (1-36 + 0 + 00)

As you can see in our American roulette article, the main difference this creates is how many numbers you can bet on, as well as the odds.

European Roulette: Rules of the Game

If you’ve never played roulette before, don’t worry. There is probably nothing easier, except perhaps dice!

The game starts when you decide where you want to place your bet. You’re allowed to place one or more chips on different sections of the roulette table.

Here’s the gist of a game of roulette:

  • Player places bets on the roulette table
  • Dealer puts the ball in roulette wheel and spins it
  • Ball lands on a pocket that has both number and colour (black, red, or green)
  • If any part of this pocket corresponds to your bet, you win
  • Lost bets will be cleared from the table
  • If you’ve won, winnings will be added instantly to your balance

If you’re confused about the ball spinning in the opposite direction of the roulette wheel’s rotation, don’t fret. That’s entirely normal.

How to Place your Bets in European Roulette: Basic Strategy

There’s always some form of strategy to maximize your winning odds in these games of chance. Otherwise, where would the fun be?

So. In roulette, there are two main betting options. You may choose either “inside” or “outside” bets. (This refers to their positioning on the table.)

Here’s a break-down of what that entails.

  1. Inside Bets

When you place one of these bets, you are betting on which number the ball will land one. The odds for the following list of potential bets increase as the list goes on:

  • Straight: bet on a single number
  • Split: bet on 2 numbers
  • Three line: bet on a row of 3 numbers (a “street”)
  • Corner/Square: bet on 4 numbers that form a square
  • Six line: bet on two gathering streets
  1. Outside Bets

When you place one of these bets, you are betting on whether the ball lands on an odd or even number or black/red outcomes. Once again, the odds on the potential bets listed here increase as the list goes on:

  • Left/middle/right column: bet on all 12 numbers in any of those columns
  • 1st 12/ 2nd 12/ 3rd 12: bet on 12 numbers in 4 consecutive rows
  • 19-36 or 1-18: bet on all numbers in either bracket
  • Red or black: all reds or all black numbers
  • Odd or even: bet on all odd numbers or all even numbers