American vs. European vs. French Roulette: Understanding the Differences and Best Strategies

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world. The game’s objective is simple: players must predict the number and color of the pocket where the ball will land on a spinning wheel. However, different versions of roulette have different rules and odds, which can significantly affect your chances of winning. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between American, European, and French roulette and provide you with the best strategies to increase your chances of winning.

Brownie Series Roulette Table- Casino Quality, Wooden

American Roulette

American roulette is the most popular version of the game in the United States. The game features a wheel with 38 pockets, including the numbers 1 through 36, a zero, and a double zero. The presence of the double zero increases the house edge to 5.26%, which means that the casino has a higher advantage over players compared to other versions of the game.

The best strategy for American roulette is to avoid making inside bets, which have a higher payout but lower odds of winning. Instead, focus on making outside bets, such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low. These bets have a higher chance of winning but a lower payout.

European Roulette

European roulette is the most popular version of the game in Europe and Asia. The game features a wheel with 37 pockets, including the numbers 1 through 36 and a single zero. The absence of the double zero decreases the house edge to 2.70%, which means that players have a higher chance of winning compared to American roulette.

The best strategy for European roulette is to make outside bets, just like in American roulette. However, you can also consider making inside bets such as straight up, split, street, and corner bets, which have higher payouts and a higher chance of winning compared to American roulette. Just make sure to avoid making the five-number bet, which has the highest house edge of all roulette bets.

French Roulette

French roulette is similar to European roulette, but it has a few additional rules that can benefit players. The game features a wheel with 37 pockets, including the numbers 1 through 36 and a single zero. However, if the ball lands on the zero, players can choose to either receive half of their bet back (La Partage) or keep their bet for the next spin (En Prison). These rules decrease the house edge to 1.35%, which is the lowest of all roulette versions.

The best strategy for French roulette is to make outside bets, just like in American and European roulette. However, you can also consider making inside bets such as Voisins du Zero, Orphelins, and Tiers du Cylindre, which are unique to French roulette and offer higher payouts and a higher chance of winning.

In summary, American, European, and French roulette have different rules and odds that can significantly affect your chances of winning. American roulette has the highest house edge, while French roulette has the lowest. The best strategy for all versions is to make outside bets, but you can also consider making inside bets in European and French roulette. Remember to always gamble responsibly and have fun!