European roulette is a game of luck that is often considered a better counterpart of American Roulette. Still, not many people know its unique aspects, even though it’s played globally.
European roulette game is played with a wheel with randomly numbered pockets of alternating colours, either red or black. It’s often called the Devil’s Game, largely because the sum of all numbers on the wheel totals 666.
Below, we guide you on how to play the game and maximize your chance of winning.
What is European Roulette, and How is it Different from the American Version?
This popular casino game has roots in 18th-century France. French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal inadvertently contributed to the invention of the roulette wheel with his perpetual motion machine. Although Pascal’s machine was unsuccessful, his work laid the groundwork for the roulette wheel’s design.
The European roulette has 37 numbers from 0 to 36. The 37-numbered table is fixed in this position:
| Red | Black | ||
| Low (Left Side) | High (Right Side) | Low (Right Side) | High (Left Side) |
| 1 | 19 | 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 21 | 4 | 22 |
| 5 | 23 | 6 | 24 |
| 7 | 25 | 8 | 26 |
| 9 | 27 | 10 | 28 |
| 12 | 30 | 11 | 29 |
| 14 | 32 | 13 | 31 |
| 16 | 34 | 15 | 33 |
| 18 | 36 | 17 | 35 |
The American version differs slightly as it has 38 numbers with two zeros (0 and 00). This means the house has a bigger advantage. European roulette’s house edge is generally considered as 2.70%. American roulette house edge, on the other hand, has a house edge of around 5.26%. So, winning the European game is a tad more easy.
The two games also differ slightly in their rules. The European version has “En Prison” and “La Partage” rules, which further reduce the house edge. If the ball lands on zero, even bets are “imprisoned” until the next spin. La Partage is the opposite, where half of all even bets are returned to the player if the ball lands on zero.
How to Play European Roulette?
Playing a game of European Roulette is pretty easy. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Place Your Bets: Every player has to place their bets before the dealer, or the Croupier, who spins the wheel. The bets are placed in the form of poker chips.
- Dealer Spins the Wheel: After all the bet options are placed and noted, the dealer spins the wheel. The dealer will throw the ball in the opposite direction of the spinning wheel.
- Ball Lands on a Number: The ball rolls and jumps across different numbers; suspense builds up before it lands on one number. That is the winning number and color.
- Winning Payouts: The house keeps the losing bets and pays out the reward to the winning bets.
When it comes to playing the game, there’s no difference between the American roulette wheel and the European version of this popular casino game.
Inside and Outside Bets in the European Roulette Wheel
The European version of roulette has two types of bets;
- Inside Bets: These are high-risk, high-reward bets focused on some specific numbers or a group of numbers on the table layout. Within these, you can choose from;
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
| Straight-up bets | When you gamble on a single number. | 35:1 |
| Split bets | When the stakes are set on two numbers. | 17:1 |
| Street bets | When the stakes are set on three numbers in a row. | 11:1 |
| Corner bets | When the stakes are set on the corner, four numbers. | 8:1 |
These four types of inside bets have a higher potential reward, but they also have a lower chance of winning.
- Outside Bets: On the contrary, these are low-risk and low-reward bets that cover the other larger section of the table layout. In these, you can bet on;
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
| Red/Black numbers | Where the reward is based on whichever colour the ball lands on. In other words, if you have chosen red and the ball lands on any red-coloured number, you win. | 1:1 |
| Odd/Even Numbers | When the ball lands on an odd or an even number. | 1:1 |
| Dozen bets | When the ball lands on any of the 12 covering numbers. | 1:1 |
| Column bets | When the ball lands on any 12 numbers in the vertical column. | 1:1 |
As you can see, these bets cover a larger area of winning, which is one of the reasons for their low payout, as the majority of people will want to bet on these to ensure they win something.
The layout, structure, and winning potential in European and American bets are different;
- In European Roulette, the bets pay out at a 1:1 ratio, which means for every £1 staked you will get £1 in return, but in the American version, the bets pay out 18 to 1. This difference is because of the two extra green pockets (0 and 00).
Is Playing Roulette Online Better than Playing at a Casino?
Gambling at a casino has a unique thrill, where you get an adrenaline rush every time the wheel spins. However, online casinos are better because they offer lucrative rewards, including a wide range of promotions, welcome bonuses, cashback rewards, etc.
You can also get free spins and deposit bonuses in online casinos, which can increase your earning potential. Rest assured that the rules to play Roulette online are the same as its offline version.
Winning Strategies
European roulette is a game of luck as well as strategy. The best strategy for beginners is to bet on red or black, or odd/even. These bets have a high chance of winning, mainly because the zero pocket does not affect them. Sure, the payout is lower, but it’s a steady approach to rake up profits. Try the higher bets only when you build enough experience in the game. Betting on individual numbers is risky as the odds of winning are significantly low.
The Martingale System is a popular strategy for this game. The idea behind this strategy is to double down after every loss and keep increasing your bet. This goes with the belief that you will eventually win and recoup your losses. However, you should risk only a small amount of your bankroll to avoid significant losses.
Remember, no strategy can guarantee consistent wins. However, with observation, practice, and implementing a well-thought-out strategy, you can improve your odds of winning significantly.