A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EUROPEAN ROULETTE

European roulette, also known as single-zero roulette, is one of the most popular variants of the table game.

Every casino worth its salt offers at least one European roulette table, so unless you want to keep dodging these tables and missing out on the entertainment, read up on this roulette game to get your party started!

In this post, we’ll have a look at the history of the European roulette (single-zero) game, how it differs from American roulette, how to play European roulette online, and above all, how to master this wonderful table game.

The Basics of European Roulette

Like any roulette game out there, the European one isn’t very complicated to get around. It works the same as the American and French roulette wheels, although there are some key differences, as we’ll see later on.

Nevertheless, nailing down the basics of European roulette is vital before moving on to the actual gameplay and dabbling in strategy. Like almost every other roulette variation, winning at European roulette is simply a matter of luck, but that doesn’t mean throwing basic strategy out the window and blowing all your real money.

Before unveiling the details of the game, let’s first have a look at the history of the European wheel.

History of European Roulette

We have Blaise Pascal to thank for the invention of roulette. The mathematician and inventor got to work in the 17th century to create the foundation of what we know as roulette today, although it did have certain key differences.

In the early days, the roulette wheel had both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00), similar to the American roulette one. While some casinos decided to remove the double zero in the mid-19th century to improve the payout odds, others decided to keep it as is. This fork in the road led to the creation of American and European roulette.

Despite the introduction of the American version, European roulette remained the preferred choice for many players due to its lower house edge. The game continued to thrive in European casinos, and with the advent of online gambling, it found a new audience worldwide.

The European Roulette Table Explained

Whether you wish to start playing online European roulette or the land-based version, the principles of the game remain the same: the roulette table is a specially designed betting layout where players place their bets to guess where the ball lands.

European roulette is played with a wheel that features 37 numbered pockets. The numbers on the wheel range from 0 to 36. The numbers 1 to 36 are alternately coloured in red and black, while the 0 pocket is typically coloured green.

There are two main categories of bets: Inside and Outside bets. Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers, while Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers. The payouts for different bets vary depending on the likelihood of winning.

For example, a straight-up bet (betting on a single number) pays 35 to 1, while an even-money bet (ex., Red or Black) pays 1 to 1.

The great thing about is its house edge (or house advantage). The presence of only one zero (0) pocket on in European roulette gives the casino a slight advantage of approximately 2.7%, which is roughly half that of American roulette (5.25%).

Inside the European Roulette Wheel

If you’ve ever wondered how a roulette wheel works, then get comfy. In this section, we’ll give you a rundown of what goes on behind the scenes so that the ball spins.

The main components of a roulette wheel are the bowl, wheelhead, frets, ball track, ball deflector, central spindle and ball bearings.

The bowl is a necessary part for holding the wheel. The wheelhead is the inner spinning part with numbered pockets. The frets are the dividers between each pocket. The ball track is the circular groove where the ball rolls.

The ball deflector is the raised component to randomise the ball’s movement around the wheel. The central spindle is the vertical shaft used for rotation. Finally, the ball bearings are important to reduce friction and ensure smooth spinning.

Knowing this won’t help your chances of winning your roulette bets but it will give you a better understanding of the physical foundations of the wheel and why it operates the way it does.

How to Play European Roulette

All roulette games are played similarly, so if you have experience with other roulette tables, you won’t have a tough time understanding how the action of European roulette unfolds. For the record, we’ll discuss how to play European roulette at online casinos (including on a mobile phone), not in land-based ones.

1. Rack up your balance: Before even thinking about playing roulette, you’ll need to convert some of your real money to your in-game balance. Always allocate a gambling budget and play responsibly! In most cases, you can take advantage of your casino’s Welcome Bonus (reserved for new customers) or Deposit Bonus to get a better bang for your buck, but be aware of the minimum deposit.
2. Place Your Bets: Once you have your chips, you can place your bets on the roulette table. The table layout consists of various bet options, including individual numbers, groups of numbers, colours, odd/even, and more.
   • Inside Bets: These bets are placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers within the grid. For example, you can place a straight-up bet by placing your chips on a single number, or you can bet on a split, street, corner, or other combinations. These have better odds than the following bets, but these bet types are harder to win.
   • Outside Bets: These bets cover larger groups of numbers. Despite their higher probability of winning, these bets offer smaller payouts. Examples include the column bet, betting on red, black, even, odd numbers, or high (19-36) or low (1-18) numbers.
3. Wait for the Spin: Once all players have placed their bets, the dealer will spin the roulette wheel in one direction and launch a small ball in the opposite direction. As the ball loses momentum, it will fall into one of the numbered pockets.
4. Determine the Outcome: The winning number is determined by the pocket in which the ball falls. The dealer will announce the winning number and place a marker on the table to indicate it.
5. Settle Bets: After the winning number is determined, the dealer will clear the losing bets from the table and proceed to pay out the winning bets. If your bet corresponds to the winning number or falls within a winning combination, you will receive your payout.
6. Repeat: The process continues with new bets being placed for the next round. You can choose to place the same bets or change your bet strategy for each spin.

Differences Between European and American Roulette

Should you go for the European roulette wheel or the American one? A good way to come to that conclusion is to evaluate the differences between the two games and gauge your preferences!

These are the three main differences:

• House Edge: Due to the presence of the double zero (00) pocket, American roulette has a higher house edge compared to European roulette, as we’ve mentioned above.
• Wheel Configuration: The European wheel has 37 pockets, numbered from 0 to 36. The numbers are alternately coloured in red and black, and there is a single green pocket for the number 0. In contrast, American roulette has 38 pockets, including a single zero (0) and a double zero (00) pocket in addition to the numbers 1 to 36.
• Bets and Payouts: The additional double zero pocket in American roulette affects the betting options and payouts. Some bets, such as the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), are specific to American roulette. The presence of the double zero also alters the odds and payouts for certain bets, reducing the overall player advantage.

Betting Systems in European Roulette Online

Having a predetermined betting system will always help when playing such a luck-based game. Luckily for you, you’ve got quite the choice! These are the most popular bet systems players use to preserve their bankroll:

• Fibonacci System: The Fibonacci system is based on the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on). In this system, the player increases their bet after a loss based on the Fibonacci sequence. For example, if you bet €10 and lose, your next bet would be €10. If you lose again, you would bet €20, then €30, and so on.
• Martingale System: This system involves doubling the bet after each loss, with the goal of recovering previous losses and making a profit. For example, if you bet €10 and lose, you would then bet €20 on the next spin. If you win, you start over with your initial bet.
• Paroli System: The Paroli system is often referred to as the “reverse Martingale.” It involves increasing the bet after a win, maximising profits during winning streaks. For example, if you bet €10 and win, you would double your bet to €20 on the next spin. If you win again, you continue doubling your bet. The system suggests resetting to the original bet after a loss or reaching a predetermined profit goal.

Exciting Variations of European Roulette

Tired of the European roulette wheel and want some new variants to explore? Worry not; these are some good alternatives:

1. French Roulette: This variation of European roulette follows similar rules but offers additional special rules such as “La Partage” and “En Prison.” These rules can reduce the house edge even further!
2. Multi-Wheel Roulette: In this version, players can bet on multiple wheels simultaneously. Each one operates independently, giving you more opportunities to win or spread their bets across different outcomes.
3. Live Dealer Roulette: Live dealer European roulette brings the authentic casino experience to online players. The game is streamed in real time with a professional dealer, allowing players to interact and place bets as if they were in a land-based casino.
4. Mini Roulette: This variation features a smaller wheel with only 13 numbered pockets (0 to 12). The smaller size alters the odds and payouts, making things much different!

Quick Tips for Playing European Roulette in Online Casinos

Understanding European roulette odds is the best tip you could learn. Going for even-money Outside bets such as Red or Black or Even/Odd bets is the best course of action if you want to prolong the entertainment.

Also, disregard the notion of hot and cold numbers, whereby hot numbers are ones that seem to be winning consecutive times while cold ones go in the opposite direction.

No certain number has any magical way of winning more than the rest, so it’s best to decide between Inside and Outside bets and work your way from there.