How the European Roulette Works: Full Guide
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This guide will analyse CasinoAlpha’s favourite roulette, the European Roulette variation. Did you know that playing European Roulette gives you some of the best odds in the casino? If not, continue this article because we consider it one step closer in becoming a top-tier professional roulette player.
In this guide we will break down everything you need to know about the European Roulette. From history and unique design up to its lower house edge compared to the other well-known variation, the American Roulette. You will also see how we explored the wheel layout, the available betting options, and how to maximise your chances.
We consider that by the end of this guide you will know exactly how to identify and play European Roulette. Additonally, you will learn how to use mathematical betting approaches in order to lower the house edge by bringing the odds in your favour.
What’s European Roulette?
It is a game of chance where players try to guess in which compartment a small ball will land on a revolving wheel. There are 37 numbers inscribed on the European wheel where the small sphere can land. This would be a standard definition for the European Roulette for the NZ market. However, to understand the numbers better, we recommend you to check our article where we dive deep into the roulette numbers.
Since its creation, this game has become a popular and iconic casino option. Most brick-and-mortar casinos and all live dealer casinos from the NZ market include European wheel games.
Additonally, it’s essential to know that European Roulette has one of the lowest house edges at 2.63%, giving players a better chance to win compared to American Roulette. Learn more about how the Roulette House Edge affects your gameplay.
The game’s origin
Roulette has been around since the 18th century when two brothers, Francois and Louis Blank, launched the single zero roulette in 1843. Today this is the critical difference that sets it apart from other versions.
The word roulette comes from French and means “little wheel”. It’s widely believed that the Italian game Biribi was the inspiration for the roulette game we know today.
European Wheel Design
The European wheel had many design variations over the years, mainly from the materials used to make it. Manufacturers are usually encouraged to create new designs without altering the game or the randomness.
The NZ market has rules to make sure the machine cannot be rigged and maintains fairness. For example. in brick-and-mortar casinos, the materials used to make a European wheel and the ball must not have magnetic properties.
Policies like this ensure no tampering is possible, which can create unfair advantages.
Roulette wheel number distribution
The number distribution is a critical feature of the European Roulette. The 37 numbers go from 0 to 36. Half the numbers have the colour red, and the other half is black. Furthermore, zero has the colour green.
Number allocation
Starting from zero and going right the numbers are distributed as 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
The red and black on the European wheel alternate, so no two numbers with the same colour are next to each other. Considering their distribution shown above, 32 is red, 15 is black and so on.
One of the critical factors that define the game is that zero has red and black adjacent numbers. Thus, creating the perfect balance.
European Roulette table layout
The table layout features all the numbers inscribed in the European wheel. However, putting the numbers aside, there are other betting options there.
There are specific segments on the table for placing different bets that encompass more than one number.
Outside bets
Two portions are dedicated to bets on all the numbers with one of the two colours, red or black. The same as colours, there are two sections for betting on odds or even numbers. Another two parts are dedicated to betting on high numbers (19-36) and low numbers (1-18).
Also, the numbers are split into three categories of 12. Each represents the first, middle and last 12 numbers in the European wheel in ascending order. Lastly, the table has the option of betting on three specific horizontal rows of numbers, and they are inscribed with 2:1.
This table layout strictly follows the definition of European Roulette. It is featured on the NZ best online casinos on the market with table games, live dealer games or both.
Still, besides the outside bets, you can also choose to use the inside bets. If you don’t know what does it mean to place inside bets, check the comprehensive analysis by Anca Iamandi, a roulette specialist at CasinoAlpha.
What’s the difference between European, American, and French?
Some essential differences that set apart the European Roulette when comparing it with the other two. Each one has its perks and disadvantages.
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French
The table and wheel layout are identical. But the thing that distinguishes the French option from the standard European Roulette is mainly related to the rules. These are two playing options specific to French roulette that are not found in its counterparts, the “la partage” and “en prison”.
Both rules apply to outside bets, meaning any wagering option inscribed on the table that is not in the section where the 37 numbers are shown.
Thus, outside bets refer to table inscriptions that encompass large groups of numbers like colour, for example.
“La partage”
It means that if you place an outside bet and the ball lands on zero, you can get back half of your wagered sum.
“En prison”
It implies that you could have a second try if you placed an outside bet and the ball landed on zero. However, if the second wheel spin is not successful, you lose the entirety of the wagered amount.
These two rules that benefit the player are the only differences that deviate from their European counterpart. However, since they give the gambler an advantage, the house edge is lower in French roulette than its counterparts.
The house advantage is generally considered to be around 1.35%.
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American
This version has three main differences that deviate from European Roulette. The NZ market has these options present as well.
As shown in our American roulette online guide, it features two zero pockets. Thus raising the total number to 38. This extra figure changes the layout when comparing it with the European wheel.
Tips:
- The second zero or double zero raises the house edge to 5.26%, significantly higher than its European and French counterparts.
- Note that at CasinoAlpha the European Roulette is our favourite, but it’s essential to compare the American Roulette with the European version because there are major changes that can impact your gameplay.
How to play European Roulette on NZ online casinos
The whole idea of the game is to guess where the ball will land. You can increase your chances by wagering on groups of numbers that have something in common.
The players place their bets until the croupier says, “No more bets” before the wheel rotates or after it starts spinning. In some land-based casinos, each player receives chips with specific colours for better distinguishment of wagers.
In online roulette casinos, the rules for every game can be accessed after joining. There you will see everything, including how to play the European Roulette.
Betting Options
Apart from those inscribed, there are a few different options for placing bets, each with its name and odds.
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Split Bet
It consists of wagering on two neighbouring numbers at the table by placing the chip between the lines separating them. This can also be placed on zero and its adjacent numbers 1, 2, or 3.
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Corner Bet
Represents putting the chips at the point where four numbers meet in the table, thus wagering on all four of them.
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Street Bet
This means placing a wager on three numbers that form a vertical row at the table. An example would be 22,23,24 since they are in the same column.
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Line Bet
It involves putting a bet at the end of a line that separates two vertical columns. By doing this, the player wagers on six numbers at the two neighbouring vertical rows.
Keep in mind that the odds of Roulette and payout can differ significantly depending on the betting combination.
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French bets
The French bets encompass multiple numbers and are based on specific European wheel sectors. Each sector comprises adjacent numbers clustered together under a particular name to make placing bets on them more accessible.
It is noted that not all brick-and-mortar casinos in the NZ market allow this kind of bet. As for iGaming platforms, it depends solely on each game since some have those wagering options and others do not.
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Bets that involve zero
Zero Game (Jeu zero) means placing split bets on numbers near zero 12-35-3-26-0-32-15 as follows: one chip on 0-3, 12-15, 32-35 splits and one on the number 26.
The Neighbours of Zero (Voisins du Zero) are the 17 numbers between 9 and 17 on the European wheel.
Their distribution is 22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26-0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25. The wagers are one chip on 12-15, 18-21, 19-22 and 32-35 split, two chips on 0-2-3, two-chip on 25-26-28-29 corner.
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Bets that do not contain zero
A third of the Wheel (Tiers du Cylindre) or Tiers as they are more commonly known represent the 12 opposite numbers of zero. Their sequence is 27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33. The idea is to place one chip bets on 5-8, 10-11, 13-16, 23-24, 27-30, 33-36 splits.
Orphans (Orphelins) are what’s left between the neighbours of zero and the tiers. Two series comprise 1-20-14-31-9 and 17-34-6. The bets allocate one chip on four splits 6-9, 14-17, 17-20, 31-34 and on number 1.
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The bet that can be placed anywhere
Neighbours Bet indicates four numbers adjacent to one specific number and places a one-chip bet on each one of them. For example, you can choose the number 22 on the wheel.
This means that you will bet one chip on it and another four chips on 18, 29, 9, and 31 each. Considering all four numbers are neighbours of 22.
Apart from the betting options, there are different strategies that NZ market gamblers use to play more efficiently. The most popular is the roulette Martingale system that’s easy to understand and apply.
European Roulette Payout
The game has a specific house edge of 2.63%, which results in an RTP of 97.3%. This can differ between games and casinos, but usually, it stays between those margins. Top-paying online casinos in New Zealand have a similar RTP or even higher.
However, scientists have applied different techniques to measure the probability of various outcomes when playing roulette. The conclusion of using their measurement methods demonstrated some biases that can be exploited, raising the player’s return to 18%.
NZ Online casinos advantages
The differences between land-based casinos and online ones are few, apart from the obvious physical and digital. Since the house edge is mostly the same for both, iGaming platforms have an advantage, considering they are easier to access and provide the same game with the same odds.
Another vital factor to consider is that many NZ online casinos have dedicated apps for desktop, phone, or both.
These applications make accessing the platform more simple and help provide improved visual effects. Therefore, they contribute to making roulette games more user-friendly and optimised.
Final thoughts
This guide brings together our gambling expertise to understand better the roulette casino game that is a steadfast symbol in the industry. An essential aspect that must be considered is that any gambling endeavour must always be combined with disciplined behaviour.
Although multiple European Roulette strategies are available, none provides a perfect success rate.
After carefully analysing every necessary detail, we concluded that it’s one of the casino games in the NZ market with the highest returns, topped only by blackjack. However, this high payout is a platform’s average, and each game can have a fluctuating RTP.
Top Roulette Strategies:
- For a unique strategy that can be applied to European Roulette, consider trying the Romanosky Roulette System, which focuses on covering various numbers to reduce risk and increase the odds of winning.
- If you’re looking for a high-risk, high-reward strategy, the James Bond Roulette Strategy is a popular choice among players who want to cover multiple sections of the wheel.
- “Another strategy often used with European Roulette is the Fibonacci Roulette System, which relies on a sequence of numbers to manage your bets and reduce losses.
