A clear and comprehensive guide to European, American, and French roulette. Learn how each version works, the rules, wheel layouts, bet types, odds, and house edge differences.
Introduction
Roulette is one of the most recognizable and beginner-friendly casino games in the world. Despite its simple appearance, the game has several distinct versions that impact the odds and overall experience. The three main variants—European, American, and French roulette—share the same foundation but differ in wheel design, layout, rules, and house edge.
This guide explains how each version works, the betting options available, the mathematical odds behind the game, and why choosing the right roulette variant matters. By understanding the fundamental differences, you can approach roulette with clarity and confidence.
How Roulette Works
Roulette consists of a spinning wheel, a small ball, and a betting layout. Players place bets predicting where the ball will land after the wheel is spun. Once the wheel stops, all winning bets are paid according to fixed payout ratios.
Main Components
- The wheel: Contains numbered pockets (either 37 or 38, depending on the version).
- The table layout: Displays all betting options.
- The ball: Determines the winning number.
Roulette is a fixed-odds game—outcomes are independent, and every spin is random.
European Roulette
Wheel Layout
- 37 pockets total: numbers 1–36 + single zero (0)
House Edge
- 2.70%
Key Characteristics
- Most common roulette version in Europe and international online casinos.
- The absence of a second zero improves the mathematical odds compared to American roulette.
Odds Overview
- Even-money bets win approximately 48.65% of the time.
- Single-number bets have a probability of 1/37 ≈ 2.70%.
American Roulette
Wheel Layout
- 38 pockets total: numbers 1–36 + single zero (0) + double zero (00)
House Edge
- 5.26% — almost double European roulette.
Key Characteristics
- The additional «00» pocket increases the casino advantage.
- Common in the U.S., especially in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Odds Overview
- Even-money bets win approximately 47.37% of the time.
- Single-number bets have a probability of 1/38 ≈ 2.63%.
French Roulette
Wheel Layout
- Same as European: 37 pockets.
Unique Rules
French roulette includes two optional rules that benefit the player:
La Partage
If the ball lands on 0, half of all even-money bets are returned.
En Prison
The even-money bet “stays on the table” for the next spin if 0 appears.
(Not all casinos offer both rules.)
House Edge
- 1.35% on even-money bets (with La Partage)
- 2.70% on other bet types
This is the lowest house edge among all roulette versions.
Types of Roulette Bets
Roulette bets are divided into inside and outside bets.
Inside Bets
Placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | A single number | 35:1 |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | A row of three numbers | 11:1 |
| Corner | Four connected numbers | 8:1 |
| Line | Six numbers (two rows) | 5:1 |
Outside Bets
These cover larger groups of numbers and offer higher chances.
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | Color of the winning number | 1:1 |
| Odd / Even | Number parity | 1:1 |
| High / Low | 1–18 or 19–36 | 1:1 |
| Dozens | 12-number group | 2:1 |
| Columns | Vertical layout column | 2:1 |
Differences Between All Roulette Versions
| Feature | European | American | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total pockets | 37 | 38 | 37 |
| Zero pockets | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 1.35% (even-money) |
| Extra rules | — | — | La Partage / En Prison |
| Best for players | ★★☆ | ☆☆☆ | ★★★ |
FAQ
Which roulette version is the best to play?
French roulette, due to the La Partage rule and the lowest house edge.
Why is American roulette less favorable?
The additional “00” pocket increases the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%.
Are the odds different for individual number bets?
Yes — 1/37 in European/French and 1/38 in American roulette.
Do all casinos offer French rules?
No. Online French roulette is common, but land-based casinos may not use La Partage or En Prison.