Roulette is the game that people associate most with casinos. The wheel of luck has become a symbol of gambling, and some of the most famous betting strategies (Martingale, Labouchere, etc.) have been created in the search for luck. The favorite game of aristocracy in the 19th century is now available to everyone, especially in the online betting era. The rules have largely remained the same as they have been for decades and even centuries, but roulette has its varieties that will be introduced to you in the following lines.

French (European) and American Roulette - what's the difference?

The two main types of roulette are French (European) and American. As you can guess, the first variant is the older one - it was in 18th-century France that the idea of the game developed (as in Monaco, of course, which is a separate state unit, but to this day it is related in language and culture with France). In the European type of game, the wheel consists of 37 sectors - the numbers from 1 to 36 plus 0. American roulette has one sector more - the divisions become 38, since in addition to 0 there are double zeros (00).
The other major difference between the two wheels is the arrangement of the numbers. In European roulette, they are arranged relatively arbitrarily around the circle, but it is clear that two consecutive numbers cannot be adjacent. The American variant is much stricter in this respect – opposite of 0 always stands 00, opposite of 1 is 2, opposite of 3 is 4, i.e. the adjacent numbers are arranged in diameter opposite each other.

In many European casinos, it is also allowed to pay the croupier to drop the ball from a specific place when rotating, while in the American version this cannot happen.

What is common between the two types, in addition to betting on numbers between 1 and 36, is the division of two colors - red and black. In both French and American roulette we have an equal number of red and black pockets (18 each), always alternating one after another in the circle.

Types of roulette bets

Exact number:

This bet brings the biggest win. It is also called Straight Up. The chip (physical or virtual) is placed exactly on the selected number - for example 27. It only wins 27, in every other variant the rotation is a losing one. The winnings are usually 35 times the bet size.

Split:

A split bet is counted when the chip is placed between two adjacent numbers (14-15, 22-23, 31-32). If one of them falls, the spin is a winning one. The standard win is 17 times the bet size.

Betting on larger groups of numbers:

Street - a bet on 3 numbers from a horizontal line (1-13, 13-15, 28-30) that is placed on the betting table, not on the wheel itself.
Corner - the chip is placed on the lines between 4 numbers - for example 7-8, 10-11
6 lines - stops at two adjacent horizontal groups of numbers
Approximate bets

Sector Bets:

Black and red
Even and odd
Small (1-18) or large (19-36)

In the listed options, the chance of winning is almost 50% (if you get 0, the spin is a losing one). Based on this type of betting, many strategies have also been developed that apply to sports predictions. Besides that, you can bet on larger sectors as well:

3 Sectors - Voisin, Tiers Du Cylindre and Orphelins, each with 12 numbers. The groups include the numbers as they are arranged on the wheel.
Dozens - 3 sectors - groups of numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24 and 25 to 36 respectively.
Columns – you can bet on one of the three vertical lines on the table.

Does zero always lose?

No. There is also an option to win if the ball drops to 0 (or to 00 in the US version). To do this, the player must be betting on zero - i.e. a straight-up bet that, when successful, yields 35 to 1, as well as other accurate bets.

With American roulette there is an option for a kind of split bet, i.e. a search for 0 or 00, when you can win with either of the two zeros.

Zero can also win with bets on the 3 sectors if one of them is Voisin Du Zero, i.e. if it includes 0 in this dozen (there are 13 numbers). In some subspecies of European roulette, zero is excluded from this combination.

And when the bet is red or black (the so-called Outside bets) and you get zero, the bet is usually returned. I.e. in this case, 0 (or 00) does not win but does not lose.

There is one more interesting thing - the “la partage” rule for French roulette in some lounges. If the player places the chip on the chosen number and the ball lands at zero, then the bettor has the right to keep his choice in "jail", i.e. to remain at the same number for the next spin.

Is there a difference in online casinos?

The rules are basically the same. You can choose to play French or American roulette. In the second option, the player has fewer chances against the bank, but the profit is usually higher. Online casinos are subject to the same bet and potential return ratios as in a Monte Carlo or Las Vegas lounge.

With virtual roulette, though, betting can be faster, which can be a plus, but a serious drawback, especially for those who don't have a good budget and are more risk-averse than normal. Real croupier games generally follow a pace where no more than 60-70 spins can be made within an hour. Computer Roulettes work faster, but they often have limits on how many bets can be made within an hour (usually around 60 again). The minimum single bet threshold varies across different online bookmakers, the lowest are in betsafe.

Although internet roulette lacks the charm and feel of playing in a real casino, the thrill is very similar. So are the chances of winning. But, as with any gambling game, it is important that the person who bets his money takes a reasonable risk. To try roulette without risking money, try one of our free roulette games.