When you think of the word casino, roulette is among the classic games that comes to mind. That’s because it’s widely referenced across pop culture and depicted in many television shows and movies. It’s also much simpler than other titles like poker and blackjack, and far more exciting than slots.
What many newbies don’t know is that there are different roulette variations, including American, European, and French roulette. You might not encounter these games in land-based casinos as they offer specific variants depending on the location, but it’s a different story for online sites. In these platforms, online roulette tables and wheels will come in various layouts and it’s up to you to distinguish between each game’s rules.
The interesting thing is that a few casinos may refer to their roulette versions with the wrong terms so it’s best to be keen. That’s why it’s important to understand the differences of each game to know exactly what you are playing.
How to Spot the Differences
There are many key features of roulette that you can use to differentiate between its most common variants. These include the various types of tables and wheels, as well as the rules applied to playing the different games.
- Roulette Wheels
In European and French Roulette, the wheel usually has one zero (0) and has the numbers 1-36. But this doesn’t apply to American Roulette. With this variant, you’ll have the same 37 numbers to wager on, and an additional double zero (00) on the wheel.
Though the additional number on the American Roulette Wheel might seem like a subtle difference, it can have a big impact on your odds. If you’re playing a single number, it means you no longer have a one in 37 probability of winning but a one in 38. The unfortunate part about this is that on top of reduced odds, the game doesn’t offer an increased payout should you win.
- Roulette Tables
All roulette tables have the appearance of a rectangular structure made of solid wood. Usually, the pockets that contain zeros are colored green while the rest of the numbers are colored red or black. The difference between European and French Roulette tables is that the words on the table in French Roulette are always in French, regardless of where you access the game.
As expected, the difference in the wheels of the roulette variants also affects their table layouts and the numbers’ arrangement. Because of the additional number in American Roulette, there is a 00 section on its tables, something that isn’t present in French and European Roulette.
- The House Edge
Casinos use the term ‘house edge’ to refer to the advantage the site has when you play a game. It’s usually useful for telling how often a game pays out, and the lower it is, the higher your winning chances. In American Roulette, having an extra green pocket for the 00 increases the game’s house edge to 5.26%.
That’s a lot, considering that in the case of European and French Roulette, the house edge is only 2.7%. The logic behind this is the fact that if the roulette wheel lands on a 0 or 00, all bets made at that table are lost. Since there are two zeros in American Roulette, the chance of landing on one is higher than at European and French Roulette tables where there’s only one zero.
- Differences in Rules
There are a few differences in rules that you should look out for in different roulette versions. One of the major contrasts is what happens when the ball falls on a zero. As earlier stated, all outside bets are lost in American Roulette should this be the outcome.
The same is not necessarily true for European and French Roulette as instead of losing, two rules can be applied. The first one is called ‘En Prison’ which can be translated to mean ‘in jail’ which requires you to hold your bet for the next round. If a zero comes up again, then you lose your entire stake, and if it lands on any other number, your winning or losing will depend on the type of your initial bet.
In the second option, called ‘La Partage’, you lose half of the amount you wagered. The casino will return to you the remaining amount, and you can choose whether to withdraw it or use it on another bet. Regardless of the rule applied, it is clear that European and French Roulette rules benefit the player more than American Roulette.
Which Version Is the Best?
If your sole purpose of playing roulette is to win money, then you’re better off playing European Roulette over American Roulette. Both options offer the same payouts and level of excitement, but American Roulette has the worst odds. Players who are fluent in French, can opt for the French variant which has the same rules and options as European Roulette.
But you have to ask yourself, why do players opt for American Roulette? Some people play it because it’s the only option available in a casino or they are feeling lucky and want a challenge. Sometimes, it could be to show their patriotism to their country. At the end of the day, the best roulette version is the one that works best for you. If you aren’t sure, you can always try the games for free and see where your luck lies.
