Roulette: A Game of Variants
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games in the world. Walk into any online casino and you'll find multiple versions of it — but not all roulette wheels are created equal. The difference between variants can be surprisingly significant, particularly when it comes to the house edge and available betting rules. Here's a clear breakdown of the three main types.
The Three Main Variants at a Glance
| Variant | Wheel Pockets | House Edge | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | 37 (0–36) | 2.70% | None standard |
| American Roulette | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) | 5.26% | 5-number bet available |
| French Roulette | 37 (0–36) | 1.35% on even-money bets | La Partage / En Prison |
European Roulette
European roulette is the standard form of the game and the most widely available online. It uses a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 plus a single 0). The single zero is where the house derives its edge — in a perfectly fair game, a straight-up bet on a single number would pay 37:1, but it pays 35:1, creating a 2.70% house edge.
Best for: Most players. It's the baseline against which other variants are measured.
American Roulette
American roulette adds a second green pocket: the double zero (00). This seemingly small addition nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%. The extra pocket increases the casino's margin without providing any benefit to the player. The payout structure remains the same as European, which is why the extra zero is purely disadvantageous.
American roulette also features a unique "five-number bet" covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 — which carries a particularly unfavorable house edge of 7.89% and is generally considered the worst bet on the table.
Best for: Players who specifically enjoy the American aesthetic or are playing at land-based US casinos where European wheels aren't available. Online, there's rarely a reason to choose this over European.
French Roulette
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as the European version but adds two special rules that apply to even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1–18/19–36):
La Partage
If the ball lands on 0, even-money bets lose only half their stake rather than the full amount. This effectively halves the house edge on those bets to 1.35%.
En Prison
An alternative to La Partage. If the ball lands on 0, even-money bets are "imprisoned" — left on the table for the next spin. If they win on the next spin, the original stake is returned. This achieves roughly the same house edge reduction as La Partage.
Best for: Players who primarily bet on even-money outcomes. The 1.35% house edge makes French roulette one of the lowest house-edge options in the casino.
Betting Types Available in All Variants
Regardless of the variant, you'll find the same core bet types:
- Inside bets: Straight up (single number), split (two numbers), street (three numbers), corner (four numbers), line (six numbers) — higher risk, higher payout.
- Outside bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low, Columns, Dozens — lower risk, near even-money payouts.
Which Variant Should You Choose?
The answer depends on your priorities:
- For casual play or variety: European roulette is the standard choice and widely available.
- For the best mathematical edge: French roulette with La Partage, when betting even-money, offers the lowest house edge of the three.
- American roulette: Not recommended unless it's your only option — the double zero provides no player benefit.
If you're playing online, you'll almost always have access to at least European roulette, and often French as well. Always check the game rules before placing bets so you know exactly which rules apply.