When you play at the best roulette sites in the UK, you can choose from several variants: European, American, French, and Mini.
But how are they different, and what can you expect from each one?
In this guide, we’ll compare the four common roulette variants to help you choose the right one for you.
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European Roulette
The top roulette sites feature several European roulette games from leading software brands, including virtual and live-dealer options.
Here are the essential details about this popular variant:
Wheel
A European roulette wheel features 37 numbered pockets. The zero (0) pocket is green, while 1-36 alternate between red and black.
Table
A European roulette table shows all numbers on the wheel in their corresponding colours.
Rules
The rules of European roulette are straightforward: you can choose from a selection of bet types, such as straight-up and street bets.
House Edge
European Roulette has a house edge of 2.7%. This is due to the single zero on the wheel.
American Roulette
American roulette is another staple of the best roulette sites in the UK, and it’s the same as the European version in some ways. But there’s one big difference — the extra green pocket.
Wheel
An American roulette wheel has 38 numbered pockets. As in European roulette, there are 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, and a green zero. But there’s a second green pocket: the double zero (00).
This changes the game significantly: it gives casinos an extra opportunity to win on each spin and offers players an additional number to wager on.
Table
The American roulette table layout is essentially identical to the European table, apart from the extra 00 at the top.
Rules
As in European roulette, bets include streets, columns, odd/even, and red/black. But if you tend to wager on the green in European roulette, the American variant gives you an extra one to bet on.
Want to start playing? Read Tips When Playing American Roulette first for a few helpful pointers.
House Edge
The extra green pocket on American roulette wheels increases the house edge to 5.26%. This almost doubles the average profit that a casino could make in each game.
French Roulette
French Roulette
French roulette is similar to European roulette, though it may not be quite so common at online casinos. The main difference between this and other roulette variants is the two extra rules.
Wheel
The French roulette wheel is identical to the European wheel. It contains 37 pockets: alternating red and black pockets (1-36) and a single green (0).
Table
French roulette tables have the same layout as European tables, though the bet names along the sides may not be in English.
Rules
French roulette introduces two special rules:
- La Partage – You receive half of your bet back if the ball lands in the green pocket. This only applies if you make an even-money wager, such as red/black.
- En Prison – Your even-money bet is put “in prison” after a losing spin, and it stays on the side of the table for the next turn. If that follow-up spin creates a win, you’ll get your initial bet back (but it won’t be doubled).
These special rules give you a chance to reduce losses in French roulette, but you should still consider your bets carefully and play responsibly.
House Edge
The house edge in French roulette is 2.70% on most bets. But for even-money bets, the La Partage rule cuts the house edge from the standard 2.70% to 1.35% instead.
Mini Roulette
Mini roulette is a popular game online and available at some of the best roulette sites for UK players. It uses a smaller version of the classic roulette wheel, which impacts everything from the bets to the house edge.
Wheel
A mini roulette wheel has just 13 numbered pockets (0-12). As in other roulette variants, the 0 is green.
Table
The mini roulette table layout matches the wheel: there are 13 numbers and a few outside bets (e.g., 1-6).
Rules
The rules and structure of mini roulette are mainly the same as in other variants: place one or more bets, and then watch the wheel spin.
House Edge
Mini roulette’s house edge is 3.85% on all bets that don’t include the zero. But any other bet has a 7.69% house edge.
Conclusion
Understanding the key differences and similarities between European, American, French, and Mini roulette will help you pick the right variant for you. Before you play any of them, set a reasonable wagering limit for yourself and consider your bets carefully.
Want to play roulette online today? Gambling Zone’s guide to the best roulette sites covers all the details you need to know to get started!
