Do you know the difference between European and American Roulette? The European format is the more popular of the two varieties, with many other online Roulette games based on the European design.
If you want to learn more about the specifics of European Roulette and how it plays in an online and live casino setup then read on.
The principles of European Roulette
So, what is it that sets European Roulette apart from other major varieties of the game? The answer is quite simple.
European Roulette games feature a wheel with 37 pockets numbered from 0 to 36. Each of these is either red of black, except for the green zero pocket. The numbers are arranged in a seemingly random order around the rim of the wheel, although they do ensure an even distribution along factors like high or low number values.
It’s the single zero pocket that sets European Roulette apart from the American format, which has an added double zero. With only the one green pocket, European Roulette carries a lower house edge of 2.7% compared to the American version’s 5.26%.
What makes European Roulette different from its other cousin, French Roulette, is a matter of rules. French Roulette features a couple of additional rules relating to the ball landing on zero when the player has made an even money bet.
The rules of European Roulette
Now you know what makes European Roulette different, let’s take a closer look at how a game works.
At the start of the game, all players at the table will make a wager, placing their chips down on the table layout to show which number, combination of numbers or broader category they wish to stake on.
Once all players have made their wagers the croupier will spin the Roulette wheel before spinning a ball around its rim in the opposite direction. Due to gravity and friction the ball will start to slow, coming to a stop in one of the wheel’s pockets.
When the ball lands the croupier will call the outcome before resolving all wagers on the table. And that’s the end of the game.
Wagers in European Roulette
The table layout in European Roulette shows all the potential wagers that players can make. These are divided into two broad categories known as inside and outside bets.
Inside bets are found on the three central columns of numbers. These cover individual numbers and small groups of numbers, such as:
· Split – on two adjacent numbers, placed on the line in between them.
· Street – on a row of three numbers, placed at the end of the row.
· Corner – on four numbers forming a square, placed in the centre of the group.
Outside bets cover the rest of the layout, such as larger groups of numbers or characteristics of the pocket. These include:
· Red/black – on the colour of the pocket
· Dozens – on one of three groups of 12 numbers
· Columns – on one of the three central columns of numbers
European Roulette is a straightforward variety of this classic table game, especially when you understand how to play it.
