European roulette is the most widespread roulette variant out there. That’s largely because it has the simplest rule: the wheel has only one zero, and it includes all the standard bets without many variations.
This straightforward gameplay, simplicity, and favorable odds due to the lower number of pockets make it the most popular option out there, and the base for almost all unique variations that have come out in recent years. If you’re new to European roulette and want to find out all about it, or just want to up your strategy and learn a few tips – you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll talk about the gameplay of this game, the odds (and which bets are more favorable), and provide you with some tactics on how to improve your chances.
European Roulette: How it Began & Why is it Popular?
The first roulette games can be traced back a few centuries ago. The exact moment when roulette was invented remains unclear, but it’s accepted that it was French physicist and innovator Blaise Pascal who inadvertently invented the first, primitive form of the roulette wheel in the 17th century. The game evolved into the modern online roulette we have today, with European roulette being the closest successor to the original wheel. It gained the largest following in the late 19th and 20th century, when every European casino included it in its repertoire, and it’s not much different today – when (almost) every casino – be it online or land-based – has European roulette tables on offer.
The game has a distinctive wheel that has a specific sequence of numbers from 0 to 36, with the numbers from 1 to 36 being colored in red and black, while the 0 is in green. Unlike American roulette or even Triple-Zero roulette, the European version only has one zero, which represents the house edge. This means that the total number of numbers is 37, which gives better odds.
Why is European Roulette So Popular?
We mentioned that the European variant is the most popular one, but why is that? Well, the first reason are the favorable odds. You want the best odds of winning when playing a game, right?
- With only one green pocket to represent the ‘house edge’, European roulette has a theoretical disadvantage for the players of just 2.70% – compared to the much higher 5.26% edge in American roulette for the house.
- The simple rules are another advantage of this variant. It’s the easiest variant to learn because it doesn’t introduce any confusing rules, which means it’s the best option if you’re a beginner.
- The wide availability is another reason for its popularity. Due to the features we mentioned before, European roulette and its wheel have been taken as the foundation for many innovative roulette games – especially live dealer games with specific features like bonuses and multipliers.
Odds, Payouts, and Betting Grid in European Roulette
Once you turn on the European roulette game (or sit at a table at a land-based casino), you will see a grid in front of you. The grid usually has different bet types written in English, and a place where you can place the chips if you want to bet on it. For example, if you want to bet on the first column, you will see “1 to 12” written below the numbers. Logically, if you place your chips on that field, it means that you have covered numbers “1 to 12”.
Source: Pixabay
As for the payouts, each bet has a specific payout ratio that depends only on the probability of winning that bet. We’ll provide a simple breakdown of some popular European roulette bets and the payout ratio for all of them, as well as the odds of winning:
Bet Type | Description | Payout | Odds of Winning (Approximate) |
Straight (Single) | Bet on any number | 35:1 | 2.7% |
Split | Bet on two neighboring numbers | 17:1 | 5.4% |
Reds/Blacks | Covers all red or all black numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
Odds/Evens | Covers odd or all even numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
High/Lows | Numbers 1-18 or 19-36 (excluding the zero) | 1:1 | 48.6% |
Popular Live Dealer Games Based on European Roulette
We mentioned that the majority of live dealer roulette games are built on the European roulette model. Here are the top 5 picks for Indian players:
- Lightning Roulette – A unique variant that has multipliers on lucky numbers, and the payout can reach 500x the wager.
- VIP Roulette – A special roulette game designed for high rollers with larger betting limits and VIP settings.
- Immersive Roulette – A variant that offers slow-motion replays of the ball landing, and other features designed to make it feel like you’re in a real casino.
- Speed Roulette – A fast-paced variant that has much faster rounds for players who prefer quick gameplay and lower waiting times.
- Auto Roulette – Fully automated variant with no live dealer that’s available 24/7 and offers continuous action.
Tactics and Strategies for European Roulette
Roulette is a game of chance, which means that you will always need a dose of luck to win. But, there are some smart tactics that you can use to potentially improve the outcomes. Although none of them guarantee being in profit 100% of the time, they can at least help you manage your bankroll more effectively. Check out our top tips:
- Outside Bets have Better Odds: The even-money bets in single-zero roulette have almost 50% RTP, which means they are less risky than inside bets.
- Try a strategy: There are many strategies you can use, but we suggest avoiding risky strategies like the Martingale or even Triple Martingale, and sticking with systems like Oscar’s Grind and D’Alembert, which are slower, but less risky.
- Be Smart With Casino Bonuses: Almost every online casino in India offers a bonus, but you need to be smart about it. Read the terms and conditions in detail, find out which games contribute towards the wagering requirements, and look for bonuses that have more lenient conditions if you want to profit from them.