The Three Main Versions of Roulette
Roulette is a staple of both physical and online casinos worldwide. While the core concept — a spinning wheel, a rolling ball, and betting on outcomes — stays the same, the three main variants differ in ways that significantly affect your odds. Choosing the right version to play is one of the most straightforward ways to reduce the house edge before you even start.
How Roulette Works
The dealer (or random number generator in online play) spins a wheel containing numbered pockets. Players bet on where they think the ball will land. Bets can be placed on specific numbers, groups of numbers, colours (red or black), or odd/even outcomes. The wheel comes to rest and winners are paid according to the odds of their chosen bet.
European Roulette
European roulette features a wheel with 37 pockets — numbers 1 through 36 plus a single zero (0). The house edge is approximately 2.7%, making it the standard choice recommended for most players.
- 37 pockets total (1–36 + 0)
- House edge: ~2.7%
- Single zero reduces the casino's advantage compared to American roulette
- Most widely available version in online casinos
American Roulette
American roulette adds an extra pocket — the double zero (00) — giving the wheel 38 pockets. This single addition nearly doubles the house edge to approximately 5.26%. Unless you have a specific reason, most experienced players avoid this variant.
- 38 pockets total (1–36 + 0 + 00)
- House edge: ~5.26%
- The "Five Number Bet" (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) carries an even higher edge of 7.89%
- Common in US-based casinos and some international platforms
French Roulette
French roulette uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European roulette but adds two special rules — La Partage and En Prison — that apply when the ball lands on zero during even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low).
- La Partage: You receive half your bet back if the ball lands on zero.
- En Prison: Your even-money bet is "imprisoned" for the next spin rather than lost immediately.
- With these rules, the house edge on even-money bets drops to approximately 1.35% — the lowest of all roulette variants.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Variant | Pockets | Zeros | House Edge | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | 1 (0) | ~2.70% | None |
| American | 38 | 2 (0, 00) | ~5.26% | None |
| French | 37 | 1 (0) | ~1.35%* | La Partage / En Prison |
*1.35% applies to even-money bets under La Partage/En Prison rules. Other bets carry the standard 2.7%.
Common Roulette Bets Explained
- Straight Up: Bet on a single number. Pays 35:1.
- Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers. Pays 17:1.
- Street: Bet on three numbers in a row. Pays 11:1.
- Corner: Bet on four numbers forming a square. Pays 8:1.
- Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low: Even-money bets (1:1 payout) with close to a 50% chance of winning.
Which Version Should You Play?
If French roulette is available, particularly with La Partage in effect, it offers the best statistical value for even-money betting. European roulette is the next best choice and more widely available. Avoid American roulette unless you have no alternative — the extra double-zero pocket simply increases the house's advantage without giving you anything in return.