Table of Content
Summary
No more confusion now! Do you want to know the real deal about European Roulette and American Roulette? If yes, then through this article, I will address all the key elements of both Roulette versions and give you complete insights on their key differentiation.
That's what you are going to find in our guide.
Both Roulette versions are great on their level but yes, one Roulette variation has more quality than the other one.
There is no doubt that Roulette is fun and engaging, but I will say that it's the highest played and most popular casino game in the industry. Such popularity of Roulette also lies in its variations.
Roulette is a game that has evolved a lot, and the reasons are technological advancement, the introduction of online gaming platforms by roulette game developers and internet connectivity that has given accessibility to diverse gaming options. Therefore, for newcomers who have a hard time deciding on which version is best for them, it's important to know the key difference between European and American Roulette.
To give you clarity, both European and American Roulette versions are highly popular on the global level. And in this guide, you will find clear and easy-to-understand answers to your questions like:
So, let's dive into the topic and understand the key differences.
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What is Roulette?
What is Roulette? Roulette is a popular casino game that involves a table, wheels, and a small roulette ball. In Roulette, players place bets on single numbers, double numbers, and colors (Red, Black). There are more ways to bet like high and low numbersโodd and even numbers.
After all bets are in place, the croupier or dealer spins the Roulette wheel in one direction and then spins the ball in the opposite direction on the spinning wheel. Eventually, the ball stops on the wheel, and if the ball stops on the player's bet number or color, they win the bet amount.
The game is simple, but the challenging part is placing the bets on the numbers that have more chances to show up. The game is completely based on your luck and chance, and this is why it's popular among casino players.
Whether you play American or European Roulette, the gameplay of both versions is similar. If you look closely, both roulette versions are pretty much the same, from table design to wheel and the roulette ball.
Now, let's understand their popularity.
When it comes to understanding the differences between American and European Roulette is the difference between the wheel design and layout of each version.
In this section, we'll understand the core aspects of each Roulette version design and their layout.
The layout and design of the American Roulette wheel are slightly different from European Roulette. In American Roulette, the wheel has 38 numbers of pockets for the roulette ball to spin. All the numbers from 1 to 36 are a mix of black and red. In this Roulette version, two extra green pockets for a single zero (0) and double zero (00). Also, the wheel has two green sections.
European Roulette on the other hand, is by far the more popular and well-known version of Roulette. Unlike American Roulette with 38 numbers of pockets, the European Roulette consists of 37 numbers of pockets from 1 to 37. The numbers are split evenly between red and black, just like in American Roulette. This Roulette only has one green pocket zero (0) on the top of the table with one green section on the wheel as well.
Overall, both Roulette types don't have any major differences in tables and wheel design. But with numbers and green pockets for an extra zero.
House Edge Explained
What is House Edge in Roulette? Simply put, "House Edge refers" to the mathematical advantage that a Casino has when you play a Casino game. No matter how much you win, Casino will always have a percentage of the amount from each bet you lose or win. This advantage ensures that the Casino retains a certain percentage of profit over time for all bets placed. This house edge is applied to all types of Casino games, including Roulette. Below is an example of House Edge:
For instance, if a casino game has a house edge of 4.5%, the Casino will always keep $4.50 for every $100 wagered by players as profit over the long run.
So, I am assuming that now you've understood the concept of House Edge in Casino games. Now, let's get back to our topic: House Edge in American Roulette and European Roulette.
House Edge in American Roulette
The odds of winning when betting on specific numbers in American Roulette are slightly lower as compared to European Roulette. You have a 1 in 38 chance, compared to a 1 in 37 chance in European Roulette.
The extra green section add-on in American Roulette was not a random act; it was a clear strategic move by the Roulette designers to give Casino a certain amount of House Edge every time when a player places a bet.
The house edge of American Roulette is 5.26%. And that's a lot. Here, below, I've created a table that shows the odds, average payouts, and return to player (RTP) for every type of bet placed in Roulette gamesโall based on the house edge of 5.26%:
House Edge: 5.26%
Return to Player (RTP): Approximately 94.74%
Table of Bets, Odds, Payouts, and RTP
House Edge for European Roulette
On the European Roulette table, as mentioned, there are 36 numbers in total. The house edge for the European Roulette variant is 2.7%, significantly lower compared to the American variant. That means, in the European Roulette variant, the odds of losing are only 2.7% as compared to American Roulette, where the Odds are 5.26%, straightly double. Simply put, the players can expect to lose 2.7% of their total bets over time due to this house advantage.
Let's understand this metric with an example:
Let's say that you put $20 on the Red and another $20 on the Black, for a total of $40 bet. I know this bet looks so pointless, but what could go worseโฆ In the end, it's just an example, so bear with me!
As you know, in European Roulette, there are 36 Red and Black pockets with only one green number. Therefore, you will win your $40 bet back 36/37 times when the results are Red or Black. Moreover, the only way of losing your entire $40 bet is 1/37 times when the Roulette ball stops on the green (0) pocket.
Here, below, I have included the table that will show you the odds, winning percentage and RTP:
Overview of European Roulette House Edge
House Edge: 2.7%
Return to Player (RTP): Approximately 97.30%
European Roulette Odds, Winning Percentages, and RTP
This is the reason why most casino lovers prefer playing European variations of Roulette rather than American Roulette versions.
Betting Options and Payouts
Good News. Betting options and payouts in both American and European Roulette are similar except in some areas. I know what you must be thinking about! If the odds are different and the winning ratio is different, then how betting options and payouts can be similar in both Roulette types? Here, let me explain to you what the betting options and payouts are in American Roulette and European Roulette.
So, basically, there are two types of betting options you get in both versions of Roulette: Inner Bets and Outside Bets. Let me clarify to you:
Inner Bet Options in American Roulette and European
So, the inner bets involve betting on definite numbers or small groups of numbers. Moreover, the winning odds in such options are lower, but the payouts are significantly higher. But what types of betting options do you get in Inner Bet?
The Answer:
Straight Up: Bet on a single numbers.
Payout: 35:1
Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers.
Payout: 17:1
Street: Bet on three consecutive numbers in a row.
Payout: 11:1
Corner (Square): Bet on four numbers that meet at a corner.
Payout: 8:1
Six Line (Double Street): Bet covering six consecutive numbers across two rows.
Payout: 5:1
Outside Bet Options and Payouts
Outside betting is where you place a bet on a larger group of numbers rather than on one particular number. These types of bets are typically located in the outer part of the Roulette table sections. Moreover, the winning odds in Outside bets are higher but the payout is slightly lower compared to Inner bets. So what types of betting options and payout do Outside Bet sections offer you?
Red/Black: Bet on whether the winning number will be Red or Black.
Payout: Even money (1:1)
Odd/Even: Bet on whether the winning number will be Odd or Even.
High/Low: Bet on whether the number will be in the range of 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high).
Dozen Bets: Betting on one of three dozen (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36).
Payout: (2:1)
Column Bets: Betting on one of the three vertical columns on the table.
Okay, now I know what you are looking for! The difference between American Roulette and European Roulette betting options and payouts, Right!
You already know the House Edge difference, but in the betting section, there is a difference.
This difference is in American Roulette, which includes a unique betting option and is Five Number Bet which covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 with a higher house edge of around 7.89%.
You know, rules make the game more fun and engaging, and that might be the reason why Roulette is popular all around the world among casino lovers.
Both variations are top of their game in terms of odds, payouts, and betting options. And if I talk about the rules, then there are no significant differences, but yes, there are a few rules that differ in both Roulette types from each other.
These rules are special and only available in European Roulette, which is known as Special Rules.
The European Roulette includes rules like La Partage and En Prison. These rules provide opportunities for recovering some of the bets if the Roulette ball stops at Zero. So what do these rules say?
La Partage: If an even-money bet loses when zero comes up, half of that bet is returned to the player.
En Prison: If an even-money bet loses on zero, it remains "in prison" for the next spin, giving players a chance to win it back.
American Roulette doesn't have any special rules but an extra layer of betting options.
Like I told you, each Roulette type has something special on their court which makes them the most popular Roulette variations in the world of Casino.
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The battle between American Roulette and European Roulette will end here.
What battle? The battle between which Roulette variant to playโAmerican or European?
Do I need to split it out? You still don't get it? Better odds, lower house edges. I am talking about European Roulette. Now, don't judge me like that!
The difference between American Roulette and European Roulette may be a little subtle. But the Odds and House edge makes European Roulette a better option if you want to play Roulette and win more than lose.
It's not that I am taking the only side of European Roulette. And I am also not saying that you should never ever try out the American Roulette. If you play smartly and put in an effective Roulette strategy, you can easily understand what types of bets will be good for winning high and play safe as well.
However, these differences don't make that much sense and hurt your bankroll if you are playing free version of Roulette.
Finally, I am going to end this debate by saying that you shouldn't limit yourself to only American Roulette or European Roulette; there are more variations to try online and expand your gaming experience and knowledge.
DC Kumawat is the CEO of Orion InfoSolutions, a leading provider of IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. He has over 14+ years of experience in the IT industry. He is a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve business performance.