No casino is complete without offering the classic roulette game. First introduced in France in the 18th century, this game offers a colorful and exciting way to play for instant wins. In this game, you need to bet on the winning number. As a popular casino game, it also comes in different variants with the European and American Roulette games as the most widely played. Both roulette variants boast the standard roulette format. However, they differ in the wheel’s layout, rules, odds, and bets. To fully maximize the potential of these real money casinos games, make sure to review the rules and understand their differences.
European and American Roulette- A Look at the Wheel’s Layout
Both games use a roulette wheel and a table where players place their bets. In online casinos, you’ll find a virtual betting table where you can find all possible betting options. The most important difference between the two variants lies in the roulette wheel’s layout. In the European version, players will find 37 pockets or spots where the roulette ball rests on the wheel. These pockets cover the numbers from 1 to 36, and the extra pocket is for ‘0’. The American version, on the other hand, boasts 38 pockets. Its wheel covers the numbers from 1 to 36, there’s a pocket for ‘0’ and another for ’00’. Also, both the European and American variants display 18 red and 18 black pockets.
Aside from the extra pocket for ’00’, American Roulette also boasts a different sequence of numbers. In the American variant, the numbers are arranged in a counterclockwise position.
Differences in the game’s house edge
The house edge refers to the game’s (or the operator’s) advantage over time. In online gambling, the challenge to the player is to find the casino games with a lower house edge. Between the European and the American variants, the former provides you with a friendlier house edge. With 37 pockets, the house edge in European Roulette stands at 2.70%. In the American version, you will find an extra pocket for ‘00’ as such, the house edge nearly doubles to 5.26%. Since the payouts for all types of roulette bets remain the same, you have a better chance of collecting a win by playing in a European Roulette table.
Variations in Roulette rules
You can also find some differences between the two games in special rules. Yes, they share the same player’s objective. However, some specific rules and bets are present in the European version. If you play European Roulette in real money, you will encounter two special rules: the En Prison rule and call bets.
If the ‘En Prison’ rule is in place, you get another spin if you wagered an even-money bet and the ball lands in the ‘0’ pocket. In online roulette, the even-money bets include a bet on red/black, odd/even, or high/low. If you play this game variant, you can reduce the house edge to 1.35%.
Also, the European version allows the use of ‘call bets’. These are the types of bets that are announced to the croupier, rather than placing your chips on the betting table. Call bets are complicated wagers and often used by experienced roulette players. You can also play this in the American version. An example of a call bet is ‘Five Number Bet’, a bet that’s placed on 1, 2, 3, 0, and 00. It’s a risky bet to play in American Roulette since the house edge is 7.9%. The bet offers an impressive payout of 6:1, but the risk is high, so it’s not best for beginners.
What Roulette variant should you play in real money?
Both online roulette variants are fun, exciting, and easy to play. But if you’re a beginner and want a better chance of winning, you can start with the European variant. With a house edge of just 2.70%, it’s the online variant that’s perfect for beginners who are just learning the game rules. The rules are easy to remember, and there are plenty of bets to choose from. Its layout is also the basis for another popular variant, the French Roulette that is equally fun. But whatever variant you pick, make sure to play responsibly. Always play the game in a free demo first and set a bankroll before starting your gambling session!