Whether you’re playing American Roulette or European Roulette, you’ll want to have a good understanding of how to play. That includes understanding the House edge, basket bets, and the wheel design.
House edge
Probably one of the most popular casino games, roulette is a slow paced game that requires players to hit the spin button and wait for the results. Despite its simplicity, roulette has a high house edge.
The good news is, players can reduce this edge by making smarter wagers. For instance, the even money bet is the least profitable play in the American Roulette rule book. The house edge on this bet is 5.26%. This is a lot less than the 7.9% on a six-line bet.
On a European Roulette table, the house edge is a mere 2.7%. This is because the game is played on a single zero wheel, which offers players a better chance of winning.
The aforementioned 6:1 payout may sound like a great deal to some players. However, a better choice would be to place a $37 bet instead. You’ll win $36, but the house will take half of that amount.
The European Roulette wheel has 37 slots. In addition to this, the game’s aficionados are able to use the En Prison feature, which offers a chance to recover a portion of their stake should the ball drop in the zero pocket.
Wheel design
Whether you are a first time roulette player or a seasoned pro, it is important to understand the differences between the two variants. These two wheel designs are not only different from each other, but also have different benefits for players.
The main differences between the two are their pockets and their corresponding numbers. The European wheel is a bit more balanced, with the number of even and odd numbers ranging from one to 36. It also has an En Prison rule, which allows players to recover their bet after a spin of zero.
The European wheel also has a much lower house edge than the American version. The European wheel offers a 2.7% edge on a single-zero wheel. This is a big difference.
The American Roulette wheel has a single zero, two green pockets (00 and 0), and a variety of red and black numbers. The numbers have a sequence that may look random to an average person, but this is actually a clever way to make money.
Basket bets
Whether you play American or European roulette, there are three main types of bets that you can make. These include a straight up bet, a split bet, and an inside bet. All of these bets have different odds and payouts, so it’s important to choose the right one. You also want to know which bets have the best odds, as knowing this will give you the confidence you need to take calculated risks.
A straight up bet has the highest payout at 35 to one, but the lowest odds. Similarly, a split bet has the highest odds at 17 to one, but the lowest payout. If you choose to make an inside bet, you are making a high-risk bet, so you may get a higher payout, but your odds are lower.
A street bet is a bet placed on three numbers on the wheel. An example of an inside bet is an eight-to-one corner bet that covers four numbers. You might wager $4,000 on an eight-to-one corner bet. You may also bet on a three-line bet, which is a bet placed on three consecutive numbers on the wheel.
French roulette vs American roulette
Whether you’re an online or brick and mortar roulette player, understanding the differences between French roulette and American roulette can increase your odds of winning. Both games follow similar rules, but there are some differences.
First, American Roulette uses a different sequence of numbers on the wheel. Rather than a single zero, it uses a 0 and a double zero. It also has one more zero space. It also uses different bet types and has a higher house edge. The numbers on the wheel are numbered from 0-36.
French Roulette, on the other hand, uses a horizontal grid of numbers. It has an outer betting field on both sides of the table. Each bet has its own payout and odds. Some of the bets are special, like the “Finale en Plein” which is a bet on all the numbers with the same last digit. This pays out on four chips.
The outer betting field is divided into two parts, with the bottom of the grid containing the low bets and the top of the grid containing the high bets. There are also a number of special bets, like the “En Prison” bet which gives you a second chance to get your money back.