The European Roulette variant features 37 pockets, including numbers 1 through 36 and a single zero, resulting in a house edge of 2.70%. This consistent edge applies across all bet types, from a Straight bet at 35:1 to even-money bets like Red/Black at 1:1. This setup maintains a predictable advantage for the house on every wager.
American Roulette, conversely, incorporates an additional '00' pocket, bringing the total to 38 pockets. Despite offering the same payouts as the European version, the inclusion of the double zero significantly increases the house edge to 5.26%. This means for every €100 wagered, €5.26 is expected to return to the casino over the long term.
The fundamental difference in pocket count directly impacts the player's theoretical return to player (RTP). European Roulette offers an RTP of 97.30%, while American Roulette sits at 94.74%. This nearly 3% difference highlights the strategic advantage of opting for the single-zero wheel when available for a more favourable player experience.
rules, odds and strategy
Dozen 2:1 and Columns Overview
Bets placed on Dozens or Columns in standard European or American Roulette offer a payout ratio of 2:1. In a 37-pocket European wheel with a 2.70% house edge, these bets have a fixed edge across the board. The RTP for these bets on a European wheel is 97.30%.
On the American Roulette wheel, which features 38 pockets including a double zero, the payout for Dozen and Column bets remains 2:1. However, the additional pocket inflates the house edge to 5.26%. This means that while the payout structure appears similar, the underlying mathematical advantage for the casino is nearly doubled compared to European Roulette.
For players engaging with Roulette French variants where La Partage does not apply to inner bets, the Dozen and Column bets also maintain the 2:1 payout. The RTP remains at 97.30%, aligning with the European wheel, as the wheel itself has 37 sectors. This ensures a consistent house edge of 2.70% for these particular wagers.
Error: Expecting La Partage at the Wrong Table
The La Partage rule, which refunds half of an even-money bet when the ball lands on zero, is a specific feature of French Roulette and applies exclusively to even-chance bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low. This rule effectively halves the house edge on these specific wagers to 1.35%.
It is crucial to recognize that La Partage is not universally applicable across all roulette variants or bet types. For instance, in standard European Roulette (37 sectors, 2.70% house edge), this rule is absent. Expecting La Partage on tables where it is not implemented will lead to a higher house edge of 2.70% on even-money bets.
Furthermore, even within French Roulette, La Partage typically does not extend to inner bets such as Straight, Split, or Street bets. These bets retain their standard payouts and the associated house edge of 2.70% on a 37-sector wheel. Therefore, players must verify the specific rules of each table to avoid miscalculations regarding potential refunds.
Step-by-Step to Your First Straight Bet
Initiating a Straight bet involves selecting a single number on the roulette layout to place your wager. On both European and American wheels, the payout for a successful Straight bet is 35:1. This is the highest payout available for a single number prediction in the game.
To execute this bet, simply place your chip directly onto the number of your choice within the betting area before the dealer calls for bets to close. For example, if you bet €10 on number 17 and the ball lands on 17, you receive your initial €10 stake back plus €350 in winnings.
The house edge for a Straight bet on a European wheel (37 pockets) is 2.70%, and on an American wheel (38 pockets) it is 5.26%. This means that statistically, the casino holds a larger percentage of the money wagered on Straight bets over the long term, particularly on the American variant.
Too High a Bet for a 50 EUR Bankroll
Considering a bankroll of €50, a bet size needs careful consideration to ensure longevity at the table. The welcome bonus offers a 300% match up to €2,000 plus 100 free spins, meaning a €50 deposit could yield a €150 bonus, totaling €200 in playable funds. This bonus has wagering requirements.
If a player opts to place a bet on the American Roulette Five Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), the house edge is a significant 7.89%, the highest among standard roulette bets. This bet covers 5 out of 38 sectors and pays 6:1. A €50 bankroll with such a high edge is susceptible to rapid depletion.
For a €50 bankroll, placing a bet as large as €50 on any single spin, especially on a high-edge variation like the American Five Number Bet, would be imprudent. This single wager would deplete the entire bankroll, leaving no room for subsequent plays or recovery. Conservative betting, such as €1 or €2 per spin, is advisable for a €50 bankroll.
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1, Rot/Schwarz 1:1
94.74%
38 Sektoren (1–36 + 0 + 00); Auszahlungen wie beim europäischen Rad, aber der zusätzliche Sektor verdoppelt den Hausvorteil
5.26%
Roulette Europäisch (einfache Null, 37 Sektoren)
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1, Rot/Schwarz 1:1, Odd/Even 1:1, 1-18/19-36 1:1
97.30%
37 Sektoren (1–36 + 0); Auszahlungen wie für 36 Sektoren – daher konstanter Edge auf ALLE Wetten
2.70%
Roulette Französisch mit La Partage (gerade Chancen)
Rot/Schwarz 1:1 (bei 0 Rückerstattung 50%), Odd/Even 1:1, Low/High 1:1; Innere Einsätze ohne La Partage: Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1
98.65%
Bei 0 wird die Hälfte des Einsatzes auf gerade Chancen zurückerstattet (Rot/Schwarz, Pair/Impair, Manque/Passe). En Prison gibt denselben 1,35%. Regel gilt NUR für gleiche Einsätze
1.35%
Roulette Amerikanisch – Five Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3)
Five Number 6:1 (deckt 5 von 38 Sektoren)
92.11%
Einzige Wette am amerikanischen Rad mit Edge über 5,26% – „Fallenwette“. Kein Äquivalent am europäischen Rad
7.89%
Roulette Französisch, innere Einsätze (La Partage gilt nicht)
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1
97.30%
Rad gleich (37 Sektoren), aber La Partage/En Prison gilt nicht für innere Einsätze – Edge bleibt europäisch
2.70%
Calculate Payout: Corner 8:1 Plus Bet
A Corner bet in French Roulette, with an 8:1 payout, requires a specific bet placement to be correctly evaluated. This bet covers four numbers on the table layout, situated at the corner where four numbers meet. Unlike other bets, its calculation is based on the standard European wheel configuration.
The European Roulette wheel, featuring 37 pockets, dictates the fundamental odds for all bets, including the Corner bet. When a Corner bet is placed, the potential payout is 8 times the stake for a win. This payout structure, alongside others like the 35:1 Straight bet, is consistent across standard European roulette variants.
For a player wagering €10 on a Corner bet, a win would result in a payout of €80. This means the player receives their initial €10 stake back plus an additional €80 in winnings. This calculation is directly influenced by the roulette variant's inherent house edge of 2.70%.
When is it Worth Switching to French Roulette?
Switching to French Roulette is advantageous for players seeking a reduced house edge, particularly on even-money bets. This variant offers the La Partage rule, which refunds half of an even-money bet if the ball lands on zero. This significantly lowers the house advantage on specific wagers to 1.35%.
The La Partage rule is exclusively applicable to even-money bets such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low. When the ball lands on '0', 50% of the wager is returned to the player. This contrasts with standard European Roulette, where the house edge remains at 2.70% for all bets, irrespective of the outcome.
For instance, on a €10 even-money bet in French Roulette with La Partage, if the ball lands on '0', the player receives €5 back. This conditional refund drastically improves the player's return-to-player (RTP) rate for these bets, making French Roulette a more favourable option than standard European or American variants for those specific bet types.
Straight 35:1 as Highest Single Payout
The Straight bet offers the highest single payout in most roulette variants, providing a 35:1 return on the wager. This bet involves selecting a single number on the roulette wheel, and if the ball lands on that specific number, the payout is substantial. It represents the maximum reward for a single number bet.
This 35:1 payout ratio is a standard feature across European and French Roulette. On a European wheel with 37 pockets, the odds are structured to accommodate this payout, maintaining a house edge of 2.70%. The American Roulette variant also offers this payout, but its dual-zero wheel increases the house edge to 5.26%.
A player betting €10 on a single number using the Straight bet would receive €350 in winnings if successful, in addition to their original €10 stake. This payout is a key element of roulette's appeal, offering the potential for significant returns on a single, high-risk wager.
How the Random Generator Maps 37 Pockets
The random number generator (RNG) in online roulette simulates the outcome of spinning a physical wheel with 37 pockets. Each spin is an independent event, with the RNG assigning a probability to each of the 37 outcomes, numbered 0 through 36. This ensures fair play and unpredictable results.
The European Roulette wheel, which has 37 sectors including a single zero ('0'), is the basis for this simulation. The RNG determines which of these 37 pockets the virtual ball lands in. This mechanism is fundamental to the game's integrity and the calculation of all associated payouts.
The RTP for European Roulette stands at 97.30%, reflecting the house edge of 2.70%. This means that, over an extended period of play, the game is designed to return 97.30% of all wagers back to players, with the remaining 2.70% retained by the casino.
36 Instead of 37: The Math Behind 35:1
The 35:1 payout for a Straight bet in roulette is mathematically derived from the number of possible outcomes on the wheel, excluding the zero pocket for payout calculation purposes. While the wheel has 37 pockets (0-36), the payout structure treats it as if there were 36 equally probable scoring outcomes for non-zero bets.
This is why the payout is 35 to 1, not 36 to 1. The casino retains the advantage through the presence of the zero pocket. For a 36-sector wheel, a 35:1 payout would result in a break-even scenario for the house. The single zero introduces the 2.70% house edge on European Roulette.
Therefore, a €10 Straight bet that wins yields €350 in profit plus the original €10 stake, totaling €360. This structure is consistent with an RTP of 97.30% on European Roulette. American Roulette, with its double zero, further alters the mathematical probabilities and house advantage.
Even Chances vs Straight: Variance Comparison
In French Roulette with La Partage, even chance bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, and Low/High offer a 1:1 payout. However, the rule stipulates that half of the stake is returned when a 0 appears. This mechanic effectively reduces the house edge on these specific bets to 1.35%, a significant improvement over European Roulette's 2.70%.
Conversely, straight-up bets on a single number in French Roulette, while not directly affected by La Partage for their base payout, still operate with a standard 35:1 payout. When considering the overall game mechanics and the absence of La Partage for inner bets in certain French Roulette variants, the house edge remains at 2.70%.
This difference in mechanics means that players betting on even chances in French Roulette with La Partage can expect lower volatility and a slightly better theoretical return over time compared to those placing straight-up bets or playing European Roulette. The 1.35% house edge on even chances is a key differentiator.
Losing Streaks: 10 Times Red Is Normal
Experiencing ten consecutive losses on a single colour, such as red, in roulette is statistically plausible. In European Roulette, with 37 sectors, the probability of hitting red ten times in a row is approximately 0.46%. This demonstrates the inherent randomness of the game.
The house edge of 2.70% in European Roulette ensures that over a prolonged period, the casino retains an advantage. While short-term streaks are common, they do not alter the underlying mathematical probabilities of individual spins. The payout for Red/Black remains 1:1, irrespective of previous outcomes.
Even with a 300% welcome bonus up to €2,000 plus 100 free spins, players must understand that streak occurrences are part of the game's variance. The contribution of table games to bonus turnover is 10%, meaning a substantial amount of wagering is required.
100 Euro Bankroll: 100 Rounds Simple Chances
With a €100 bankroll and betting €1 on simple chances in European Roulette, approximately 100 rounds can be played if no winnings are made. The RTP of European Roulette is 97.30%, with a house edge of 2.70%. This scenario assumes consistent €1 wagers on bets like Red/Black.
The 300% welcome bonus up to €2,000 plus 100 free spins could theoretically extend playtime. However, table games contribute only 10% to bonus wagering requirements. Therefore, to clear a €2,000 bonus, a total turnover of €40,000 is necessary (€2,000 x 20 wagering multiplier).
Playing 100 rounds on simple chances at €1 per round would result in a total bet amount of €100. If this bankroll is part of a bonus wagering requirement, it would contribute €10 towards the €40,000 target, highlighting the impact of game contribution rates.
House Edge 2.70 Percent in One Number
The house edge of 2.70% in European Roulette is a constant figure applied across all bets when La Partage is not active on even chances. This edge is derived from the presence of a single zero (0) on the wheel, which contains 37 sectors in total.
While straight-up bets on a single number offer the highest payout of 35:1, they are still subject to the overall 2.70% house edge. This is because the payout is calculated as if there were only 36 numbers, with the zero sector creating the casino's advantage.
French Roulette with La Partage alters this dynamic specifically for even chance bets, reducing the effective house edge to 1.35%. However, for any other bet type, including single number bets, the 2.70% house edge remains the standard for European wheels. The RTP for European Roulette is 97.30%.
50 Euro Budget at a 1 Euro Table
With a €50 budget at a table where the minimum bet is €1, a player can engage in up to 50 rounds of play if no winnings are accumulated. This is applicable to variants like European Roulette, which has a 2.70% house edge and a 97.30% RTP.
The bonus terms include a 300% welcome bonus up to €2,000 plus 100 free spins. If a player claims the full €2,000 bonus, the wagering requirement, assuming a 40x multiplier often applied to bonuses, would necessitate a total turnover of €80,000 (€2,000 x 40).
However, table games only contribute 10% to bonus wagering. Therefore, a €1 bet on roulette would only count as €0.10 towards the €80,000 target. This means a €50 budget spent on roulette at a €1 minimum bet table contributes a mere €5 towards bonus clearance.