Roulette has a colourful history, beginning in French noble salons in the 1700s. Roulette became popular in late 19th- and 20th-century brick-and-mortar casinos with its image heightened thanks to iconic movie scenes such as in James Bond films.
There are plenty of subgenres of roulette, but overall, roulette can be split into three types; French, European, and American Roulette. In today's article, we'll be looking at the most popular variant of modern roulette; particularly at online casinos; European Roulette. So to learn how to play European Roulette; keep on reading!
SPIN GENIE’S CHILLY WELCOME OFFER HERE
*Terms and conditions apply.*
Let’s Begin! What is European Roulette?
We simply couldn’t kick off an ultimate how-to-play guide without first establishing what European Roulette is. European Roulette involves guessing where a little metal ball, called the pill, will land on a rotating wheel. The small sphere can land on one of 37 European wheel numbers. Most land-based casinos and live dealer casinos (outside the Vegas Strip) will offer European Roulette gameplay.
In 1843, brothers Francois and Louis Blank invented single-zero roulette which has become known as European Roulette. Today, this is its main difference from other variations. French roulette also has a single 0, but differs as it has a different layout and includes special rules like 'En Prison' and ‘La Partage’.
Rules & How to Play
Playing European roulette at an online casino can be played by following a few simple steps:
- Players load their chosen European Roulette game
- Players either click "Spin." after placing their chips on the wager if playing an online version, or in live roulette players will need to wait until ‘no more bets’ are called by the dealer.
- Once this has been called the host or the computer program spins the roulette wheel, and drops the pill on it.
- The winning outcome is the space where the pill stops. All players whose bets covered the winning number will win and be paid out accordingly.
- The next round of European Roulette can begin.
The rules of European Roulette are really simple, and we’ve listed the most important ones to bear in mind below:
- Bets must be placed in the correct table section.
- Roulette table limits apply
- All bets must be placed before ‘no more bets’ is called.
- In real-world roulette losing bettors' chips are only touched by the dealer, who also pays winners.
- The paytable determines winning wager payouts.
Table & Wheel Layout
The roulette wheel is simple to decipher; the red and black pockets of a roulette wheel are numbered 1-36, and the green pocket is marked with a single zero. The table layout where players make their bets looks a little more complicated but can be quickly broken down.
Bets in roulette fall into three categories and the table and wheel are laid out accordingly:
- Inside Bets: These are bets on a single number (a ‘straight-up’ bet) or a series of numbers; split, street, corner, or six line.
- Outside Bets: These are bets on generic categories such as Red/black, odd/even, high/low, column, or doubles.
- Call Bets: These are sometimes termed ‘announced bets’ or ‘special’ bets, and they vary by roulette game. Examples of European Roulette Call Bets include ‘Neighbours of Zero’ and ‘The Orphans’.
You must place your chips (virtual or real) on the roulette table's proper region to bet. You can gamble numerous times per round by placing chips in multiple zones. The nearest part has outside bets and the farthest has inside bets. Above the normal betting arrangement is the ‘racecourse’ for unique bets. This curved section has 0–36 numbers. Numbers are ordered by wheel proximity for each racecourse sector.
Comparing European Roulette and American Roulette
While European Roulette has a fair amount of similarities with French Roulette, it differs noticeably from American Roulette, largely because of American Roulette’s introduction of 00 alongside the traditional 0.
Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
Number of pockets | 37 (1-36 Red/Black, 0 Green) | 38 (1-36 Red Black, 0, 00 both Green) |
House Edge | Lower than American Roulette due to single 0. (2.70%) | Higher than European Roulette because of the addition of the 00. (5.26%) |
Wheel Layout | Red and black number segments are organized to cover wagers with only one 0 pocket | Red and black number segments are organized to cover wagers with one 0 pocket found opposite the additional 00 pocket. |
Sequence of numbers | Adjacent numbers add up to 37 (e.g., 1 & 36, 2 & 35) | Adjacent numbers sum ad up to 37 (e.g., 1 & 36, 2 & 35) |
Betting Options | Standard betting options with anglicised versions of many French Roulette wagers | Similar to European roulette, but may not have some side bets (dependent on the version) with an additional five-number bet called the ‘basket’ (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) |
Popular in | Europe (with global appeal due to better RTP) | North America (Mostly Vegas, and may also be offered alongside European and French variants). |
Top European Roulette Tips
A ‘learn as you go process’ is all well and good and it's great to see your roulette skills improve over time, but if you’re just getting started there are a few tips and tricks we recommend to avoid making the rookie errors!
- Free Play mode: One wise approach to play without running any financial risk is to play free games. Testing European roulette betting techniques and adjusting to how the game operates is best without real money wagers. As they are played in real-time, live roulette games do not have a free-play mode, instead, you can watch as many matches elapse as you like until you feel ready to make a wager of your own.
- Try Out Some Strategies: Many players like trying to get an advantage using roulette techniques. Though they cannot be perfect, strategies can help your game have more structure, so you might want to test out a few if they appeal.
- Know The Odds: Knowing the odds of key bets can enable you to make wiser choices. Being aware of factors such as return to player (RTP) is also helpful.
- Play Responsibly: Always practice responsible gambling. Never bet more than can afford to lose. Decide when it's time to call it quits and schedule frequent pauses to prevent losing perspective. Remember, when the fun stops; stop.
A Quick Note on Strategies
Many how-to-play guides will emphasize using strategies. However, strategies are entirely optional and while they might feel empowering, cannot influence outcomes or predict wins. All casino games have a factor called the ‘house edge’ that describes the percentage advantage that the ‘house’ (casino) has over the player over the long term.
Instead, strategies can help keep track of the player's bankroll and change up their betting strategies. Overall, use strategies as and when you want to, but always remember to gamble responsibly.
FAQs on European Roulette
Can I play European Roulette on mobile?
Yes! There are plenty of European Roulette games both online and live that you can enjoy on all devices including mobile phones operating both Android and iOS.
What is the best strategy when playing European Roulette?
There is no set strategy for playing European Roulette; all strategies may be used at the player's discretion.
Which is better: European Roulette or American Roulette?
This depends on the experience you’re looking for. For a Vegas-style roulette experience players opt for American Roulette, but in terms of the odds and return to player percentage, European Roulette places the odds more in the player's favour.
Get Stuck Into European Roulette!
European Roulette is one of the most popular roulette games found online and in live casino settings. There are plenty of variants within the genre, but you could also explore some of the other archetypes like French and American Roulette. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your style!
