There’s a stage in every online roulette player’s journey where they find themselves just muddling along. Sound familiar? You’re not a complete newbie anymore, but you’re still far from turning any serious results at the table.
Well, this purgatorial plateau is practically a rite of passage as a roulette player, and you’re not the only one experiencing it. The game itself is estimated to be four centuries old, so imagine all the millions of aspiring high rollers who’ve come before you who had to face their own muddy plays and lack of progression. Okay, so that’s a pretty small comfort in the here and now, but what if we told you that there’s a very simple fix to all of this?
Intrigued? Let’s just say that the version of roulette you’re choosing to play online can completely change your odds of winning…
Why Variants Matter More Than You Think
Let’s clear something up: roulette isn’t just a single game; it’s a whole family of them. And, while they all share the same setup and gaming mechanics, each version has its own little tweaks. And it’s these small tweaks that can make a big difference in your results.
How? Not just by dictating how much you stand to win from your wagers, but by changing your odds of even spinning a winning wager in the first place. You see, roulette payouts vary according to their format – some offer better odds, while others automatically feature a higher house edge that puts you on the back foot. Understanding roulette payouts can be very useful, even to casual players.
Let’s break down the things you should look at!
Count the Zeros
One of the first things to look at is the number of zeroes on the wheel. Have you noticed a single extra green pocket in American Roulette games? Well, that extra zero tilts the odds in the house’s favor, nudging down the game’s entire RTP in the process.
Player-Friendly Rules
It’s not all bad news, though, as some roulette variants come complete with a couple of player-friendly rules. French Roulette includes two side bets that sweeten the deal, even if you end up with a less-than-desirable result. Now, we’re not talking dramatic shifts to the outcome here, but those added extras can reduce the house edge and give you more play for your bankroll.
Ready to meet the variants?
Introducing The Roulette Family
| Variant | Zeros on Wheel | Key Features | Appx. House Edge |
| European | 1 (0) | Better odds without extra rules | 2.70% |
| American | 2 (0, 00) | More pockets = bigger house edge | 5.26% |
| French | 1 (0) | La Partage and En Prison rules | 1.35% on even money bets |
European Roulette
Aka, the global standard. If you haven’t really been paying much attention to which variant you’re actively playing, chances are it’s European Roulette.
This is a version of the game that’s played the world over, by players of all skill levels. Walk into any brick-and-mortar casino and you’ll often find European rules in play.
Why? Because it’s the perfect starting point.
The single zero on the wheel means straightforward betting options. The house edge sitting at 2.70% means it’s more forgiving than other variants. It’s the happy medium of volatility – not too risky or complex.
American Roulette
Now, here’s where things start to get a bit tricky. American Roulette, like its Euro cousin, is ubiquitous. Online or offline, this double-zero wheel can be found alongside the single-zero one.
That 00 pocket has a certain aesthetic charm, sure, giving an authentic Vegas “vibe” when it pops up in online games. But, much as we enjoy the nod to tradition, the extra pocket can almost double the house edge, leaving your RTP at less than 95%.
French Roulette
The secret weapon in the house edge resistance! On the surface, La Roulette Française doesn’t look any different from the European game… Scratch the surface, though, and it’s another story.
Want to play the variant with the lowest house edge? This is the version to choose. And it’s all because of two special rules: La Partage and En Prison, which are designed to soften the blow when the ball lands on zero after your even money bets end:
- La Partage: You get half your bet back
- En Prison: Your bet “waits out” the next spin for a second chance to win
Putting It All Into Practice
It’s one thing to work through all this in theory, but quite another in practice. So, how can you go from plateau to pro? It starts by playing with intention… from the moment you log in, decide which variant you want to play, and double-check the wheel type.
From there, build your play around the strengths of the variant. Single-zero wheels automatically give you better odds, while La Partage and En Prison rules can introduce more strategic play. Even playing American Roulette can sharpen your skills by building resilience and bankroll management skills; challenge in games (of all types) can be a great way to maximize your engagement levels and get the most out of the game.