European Roulette is another popular version of the classic casino game of Roulette. It is similar to French Roulette but with a few key differences.
One of the most notable differences in European Roulette is that it has only one zero on the wheel, similar to French Roulette, whereas American Roulette has both a single zero and a double zero. This means that the odds of winning in European Roulette are slightly better than in American Roulette but not as good as in French Roulette.
Another difference in European Roulette is that it features the same basic betting options as French Roulette, but with different names. The unique betting options such as Voisins du Zéro, Orphelins, and Tiers du Cylindre are called by different names in European Roulette. Voisins du Zéro translates to “Neighbors of Zero.” Orphelins translates to “Orphans.” Tiers du Cylindre translates to “Thirds of the Wheel.”
In terms of gameplay, it follows the same basic rules as other versions of Roulette. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land on the spinning wheel, and if they guess correctly, they win a payout based on the odds of their chosen bet.
It is more commonly found in Europe, as the name suggests. It is the dominant version of roulette in most European casinos. Some of the countries where it is prevalent include France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and many others throughout the continent.
Outside of Europe, European roulette can also be found in casinos worldwide, particularly in regions that cater to international visitors and tourists. Many online casinos also offer it as one of their standard variations.
It’s important to note that in some regions, such as the United States, casinos primarily offer American roulette, which includes an additional double zero (00) pocket on the wheel. Therefore, if you specifically prefer European roulette, it’s advisable to seek out casinos or online platforms that provide this version of the game.
Overall, it is a popular and classic version of Roulette that offers players a unique and exciting gaming experience. It has slightly better odds than American Roulette but not as good as French Roulette, making it a good choice for both novice and experienced players.
Betting Options in European Roulette
- Neighbors of Zero: This bet involves placing bets on a particular group of numbers on the roulette wheel that are close to the green zero (0). The bet covers a total of 17 numbers on the wheel, which are all numbers between 22 and 25 on the wheel (22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25). You place a certain number of chips on each of these numbers, and the amount of chips you wager on each number is usually predetermined by the casino’s minimum betting limits. Neighbors of Zero (Voisins du Zéro) is a popular bet among roulette players who enjoy covering a larger section of the wheel while still maintaining a decent potential payout.
- Orphans: This bet is called “Orphans” because it covers a group of numbers on the roulette wheel that are left out or “orphans” from the other main betting categories like Neighbors of Zero or Thirds of the Wheel. The Orphans bet covers a total of 8 numbers on the wheel, which are not adjacent to each other (1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, 34).
- Thirds of the Wheel: This bet involves wagering on a specific group of numbers on the roulette wheel, which roughly covers one-third of the wheel’s numbers. It includes a total of 12 numbers, located on the opposite side of the wheel from the zero (0). The numbers covered by the Thirds of the Wheel bet are 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33.When placing the Thirds of the Wheel bet, you are effectively betting on a combination of split bets and one straight bet. You place the chips in such a way that you cover the entire group of numbers with a single bet. It is a popular choice for roulette players who want to cover a relatively large portion of the wheel while maintaining a moderate potential payout.
Play European Roulette
People often prefer European roulette over other variants due to several factors. Here are some reasons:
- Lower House Edge: European roulette has a lower house edge compared to other variants, such as American roulette. In European roulette, there is only a single zero (0), while American roulette has both a single zero and a double zero (00). The presence of the double zero in American roulette increases the house edge, making the odds slightly less favorable for players. The lower house edge in European roulette means that players have a slightly higher chance of winning in the long run.
- Better Odds: The presence of a single zero in European roulette improves the odds for players. When betting on individual numbers, the odds of winning are 1 in 37 (or 2.70%) in European roulette, while it becomes 1 in 38 (or 2.63%) in American roulette. This slight difference may not seem significant, but it can have an impact on the overall profitability for players.
- En Prison and La Partage Rules: European roulette often incorporates special rules like “En Prison” and “La Partage.” These rules provide additional benefits to players when they make even-money bets (such as red/black or odd/even) and the ball lands on zero. With the En Prison rule, the bet remains on the table for the next spin, and if it wins on the subsequent spin, the player recovers the original bet. With the La Partage rule, the player immediately receives half of the even-money bet back. These rules help to reduce the potential losses for players when the ball lands on zero, further improving the odds.
- Widely Available: European roulette is commonly offered in both land-based and online casinos around the world. Its popularity means that players have ample opportunities to enjoy the game and find tables with various betting limits to suit their preferences.
The combination of a lower house edge, better odds, and additional rules that benefit players makes European roulette a preferred choice for many casino enthusiasts. It provides a more favorable playing experience and potentially higher chances of success compared to other variants.