How to Play European Roulette
If you are going to play roulette, the European version rather than the American one is the way to go because it offers superior betting odds and winning is the name the game after all.
Topics Addressed
- Where can you play European roulette?
- Different roulette wheels?
- Different rules?
- European roulette better than American roulette?
- Previously Required Knowledge
Familiarize yourself with the rules of the game.
Where can you play European roulette?
You won't have any trouble finding an online casino that offers a roulette wheel with a single zero and even if you're playing in a bricks and mortar casino in Las Vegas, you'll always come across European roulette.
Different roulette wheels?
Not only is there one less pocket on the European roulette wheel since there is no double zero (00), the numbers also follow a different set pattern to that on an American roulette wheel. The number sequence on a European wheel is follows: 0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25-17-34-6-27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33-1-20-14-
31-9-22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26. Also, on a European roulette wheel, the numbers are marked on the outside circumference of the wheel rather than on in the inside like on an American roulette wheel.
Different rules?
Other than only a single zero on the wheel, another significant difference between American and European roulette is that if you are playing European roulette and the ball lands on the zero, then you have the option of relying on the special 'en prison rule'. According to this rule you may choose to either surrender half of your 'even money' bets (red/black, even/odd and high/low bets) or to leave them for the next game. This significantly reduces the house edge making European roulette yet again the more appealing option!
European roulette better than American roulette?
Since there is no double zero on a European roulette wheel, the chances of winning are effectively reduced from a 1 in 38 chance to a 1 in 37 chance. So this extra pocket on the American wheel with the double zero is decreasing your chances of winning but the casino's payout is still set according to the same odds as the European version. To put it simply, you odds of winning are better at the European roulette wheel as opposed to the American roulette wheel. Expressed as a percentage, the house advantage for European roulette is 2.7% whereas it is nearly double for American roulette at 5.5%. This is a considerable difference when playing over a long period of time or with significant wagers. You may as well play for the best odds possible.
