List of All Roulette Games Variations

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games. Still, compared to blackjack or slots, it doesn’t have too many variations. However, there are still enough variants to keep players entertained for a long time. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular types of roulette games and talk about their unique features. Let’s dive right in!

The Big Three – European, French and American

Depending on your location, either European, French or American will be your ‘default’ version of roulette. Although similar, several subtle differences make these three versions unique. Let’s check them out!

European Roulette

European roulette is actually identical to its American counterpart, except for one huge difference — the number of zero pockets. 

If you compare the European and the American version, you’ll notice that the American one has both 0 and 00 pockets, whereas there’s only the 0 pocket in European roulette.

This may seem like an insignificant thing to worry about, but once you take a look at probabilities, you’ll notice that more things are happening beneath the surface.

French Roulette

French roulette looks just like its European counterpart. In fact, many roulette lovers consider the French version to be a subcategory of European roulette. So, what are the main differences?

The French version offers two rules that can further help a player — en prison and la partage.

• En prison — If you make an even bet and the ball hits the zero, you can ‘lock’ your bet and get your full wager back in case you get your next bet right. For example, if you bet $10 on black, and the ball lands on zero, you can choose to keep your bet ‘in prison’. If the ball lands on black next time, you get your $10 back.  
• La partage — If you make an even bet and the ball lands on the zero, you’ll get half of your money back.

American Roulette

American roulette is the most popular option in US casinos, and it’s different from the European one only because it has two zero pockets.

However, let’s compare the two variations and see what the numbers say. 

European Roulette vs American Roulette

There are 38 numbers on the American wheel and 37 numbers on the European wheel. However, the payout is always the same, meaning the probabilities are a bit in favour of European roulette.

For example, if you make a straight-up bet, both versions will offer the payout of 35 to 1. Still, the statistical probability of getting it right in European roulette is 2.7%, as opposed to 2.6% in the American one.

Experienced casino players often want to know what the house edge is before they play a game. The house edge is 5.26% for the American version, compared to 2.7% in European roulette.

Statistically speaking, you’re a bit more likely to win by playing European roulette. Still, don’t forget to take the element of chance into account.

European Roulette vs French Roulette

The two versions of roulette are identical, and their house edge may differ only if you make even money bets. In that case, the la partage rule takes over, making the house edge only 1.35%.

Other Popular Types of Roulette

The majority of online casino enthusiasts play the three types of roulette we compared above.

Yet, game developers couldn’t help but experiment with the game of roulette, coming up with a wide array of titles that have modified rules. Some of the most important variations are:

• Mini roulette
• Double ball roulette
• Multi-wheel roulette
• Live roulette.

Mini Roulette

This simplified version of European roulette offers only 12 numbers on a wheel. Moreover, the number of outside bets is limited to the several most popular ones. If you’re new to online casinos and find it difficult to understand how roulette works, the mini version should help you learn the basics.

Double Ball Roulette

This type of roulette is also based on European rules, but it features two balls instead of one. Both balls are inserted into the wheel simultaneously, and this opens a whole new world of possibilities regarding betting.

Double Action Roulette

In this roulette variation, a single wheel features two rings of numbers — the inner and the outer, and you can place a bet on both of them (or select just one). Once again, this requires a different approach to the game than with standard versions.

Live Roulette

Live roulette is played with a real dealer who is streamed to your device. There are all kinds of live roulette games, but the European, French, and American are the most popular versions.

FAQ

• What’s the difference between European roulette and the American one?

  The American version features two zero packers instead of one that is present in its European counterpart. Because of this, the odds are slightly in favour of the European version.

• What are some of the European roulette tips and tricks?

  Roulette is a game of chance, and you should approach it as such. However, several bankroll management strategies can help you control how much you spend on playing the popular casino game.

  If you’re interested in learning these strategies, make sure to start with martingale and reverse martingale as the two most popular options. Other strategies include D’Alembert, Fibonacci, James Bond, and more.

• Which roulette game is the best for me?

  We advise you to try all three popular roulette variations and choose the one that suits you the most. In other words, selecting the roulette game you like is a matter of personal taste. Still, if you want to go for the one with the highest winning probability, you should choose the European/French one.

• Are online roulette games rigged?

  All roulette games made by reputable online casino game providers use RNG (random number generator), which makes them fair. However, you should be careful when choosing an online casino, as some of them might not be as trustworthy as they seem. Feel free to explore our site and find popular online casinos that we hand-picked for loyal roulette fans.