Roulette: One Game, Multiple Variants
Roulette is one of the most iconic games in club gaming — a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and the anticipation of where it all lands. But if you've browsed a gaming club's table section, you've likely noticed multiple versions of the game. The differences between them are more significant than cosmetic, and understanding them can directly impact your experience and your odds.
The Three Main Roulette Variants
European Roulette
European Roulette uses a wheel with 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 and a single zero (0). This single zero is where the house edge comes from. Because you're betting on a 1-in-37 outcome but payouts are calculated at 1-in-36 odds, the house retains a mathematical edge.
- House Edge: 2.7%
- Wheel Pockets: 37 (0–36)
- Best for: Most players — a solid balance of simplicity and fair odds
American Roulette
American Roulette adds a second green pocket: the double zero (00). This brings the wheel to 38 pockets. While the game plays identically to European Roulette in most respects, that extra zero nearly doubles the house edge.
- House Edge: 5.26%
- Wheel Pockets: 38 (0, 00, 1–36)
- Best for: Players who specifically enjoy the American format — but mathematically less favorable
French Roulette
French Roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European Roulette but introduces two special rules that further reduce the house edge on even-money bets:
- La Partage: If the ball lands on zero, players who placed even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) receive half their bet back.
- En Prison: Instead of losing the even-money bet when zero hits, the bet is "imprisoned" for the next spin. If it wins, the player gets their original stake back.
These rules apply only to even-money bets and effectively cut the house edge on those bets in half.
- House Edge (even-money bets with La Partage/En Prison): 1.35%
- Wheel Pockets: 37 (same as European)
- Best for: Players focused on even-money betting strategies
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | European | American | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel Pockets | 37 | 38 | 37 |
| Zero Pockets | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| House Edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 1.35%* |
| Special Rules | None | None | La Partage / En Prison |
| Best Bet Type | All | All | Even-money bets |
*1.35% applies to even-money bets under La Partage/En Prison rules. Other bets carry the standard 2.70% edge.
Other Variants Worth Knowing
Mini Roulette
A compact version with only 13 pockets (0–12). It's a novelty format that can be fun but typically carries a higher house edge relative to standard variants.
Multi-Ball and Multi-Wheel Roulette
These formats introduce multiple balls or multiple wheels simultaneously. They increase the pace and action but don't fundamentally change the underlying odds per wheel.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
If you have the choice, French Roulette is statistically the most player-friendly, especially if you favor even-money bets. European Roulette is the best all-around option and widely available. American Roulette should generally be avoided unless it's the only version available or you specifically enjoy the format — the additional double zero meaningfully increases the mathematical edge against the player.
Understanding the variant you're playing is a simple, free way to make more informed decisions at the roulette table.