Intro to European roulette
The history of roulette begins in Europe, but it arrived in America in the late 19th century. The game was popular in Louisiana and Mississippi riverboat casinos, before spreading through the United States. Today you can play European roulette at tons of online casinos, for free or real money. Although modern European roulette tables have 37 slots on the wheel, early tables had 38 thanks to two separate zero slots. This is the version that was brought to America and is still used in European roulette today.
European roulette rules
Generally, the rules of roulette are consistent no matter what version you play. A European roulette table has 37 pockets: the red and black numbers 1-36 and one green zero. Players can make different types of bets on where the ball will land by placing chips on the table. Once the bets are in, the dealer spins the wheel and you wait to see where the ball lands.
European roulette tips
Roulette is a game of chance, but you still need to know what youre doing to give yourself the best shot of winning. Weve collected some our top roulette tips below:
Play for free to get the hang of things first
Playing European roulette for free online is a great way to make sure you understand the game before you risk any of your own money. You can also try out different variations: French, American, no-zero, and multiplayer roulette.
Are the odds in Europe roulette better than other variants?
The cause of this difference in favour of European roulette it’s the extra zero pocket on American roulette wheels. It may not seem like much of a difference, but over hundreds or thousands of spins, it quickly adds up.
There is no magic strategy
No matter which bets you make, the casino is always going to have a small edge. That's just how the game is designed, so don't be fooled by any “perfect” systems.
Understand the math
There is a lot to learn about the odds of the different bets on the roulette table. Understanding your chances of winning is the best way to always gamble smart.
Have fun responsibly
European roulette is great, but only if you are playing responsibly and feel in control. Set your bankroll in advance, or if you win your first couple of bets only play with your profits.
European roulette strategy
Some roulette strategies, like the famous Martingale strategy, rely on betting patterns. With Martingale, you double your bet when you lose and half it when you win. Theoretically, no matter how often you lose, your bet sizing means you'll eventually catch up with a win. The Martingale strategy actually works really well - but only if you have an unlimited bankroll.
Other European roulette strategies involve specific types of bets. Slow, patient gamblers will probably like strategies that stick with bets close to even money, such as black/red. On the other hand, if you want to hit the big outsiders you might prefer betting on individual numbers. You can learn about other types of roulette here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does European Roulette work?
European roulette is really easy to play. The European wheel has 37 pockets: 1-36 and the green zero. You place your bets by putting chips on a specific section of the table, before the wheel is spun and the ball settles into one of the pockets.
Where can I play European roulette online?
European roulette is widely available for free and real money at online casinos. We have collected the very best in our list of recommended sites.
Are the odds in European roulette better than other variants?
European roulette has slightly better odds than American roulette. Although the chances of winning are the same in European roulette and French roulette, French roulette has a slightly higher value payout thanks to "La partage" and "En Prison" rules
Whats the house edge?
In European roulette, the house edge is 2.7%. This is how the house or casino consistently makes money over time.
What's the RTP?
European roulette has an RTP (return to player) of 97.3%.
Can I use a roulette system to play?
Yes. Players have spent centuries trying to create the perfect roulette strategy to break the system. We have collected some of the best strategies to experiment with in our list of top roulette tips.
Is there a European roulette winning formula?
No. European roulette is a game of chance, meaning that while it's always possible to win at roulette there is no way to guarantee it.
How many numbers (pockets) are there in European roulette?
There are 37 different pockets on a European roulette wheel: The numbers 1-36 which are alternately red and black, and 0 which is green.
Whats the best European roulette bet?
It depends. One of the great things about roulette is how many ways to bet there are, and part of the fun is trying them all out. However, no one bet is mathematically better or more valuable than the others due to the house edge.