Roulette is particularly distinct among casino games, using no playing cards or dice in its gameplay. Instead, games of Roulette central around its distinctive wheel and which of its pockets the ball will ultimately stop in.
But the Roulette you’re thinking of might not be the same as the next person, as there are actually three major formats. Each of these are based on the same core concept but with slight differences and tweaks that make them stand out from each other.
Let’s explore the different varieties of Roulette that you could find in an online casino.
European Roulette
Starting with the most common variety of the game – European Roulette. This is considered the more classic format, at least compared to the next entry.
A European Roulette wheel features a total of 37 numbered pockets, including the single green zero. The rest of the numbers alternate between black and red, with the numbers spread around the rim of the wheel in a set distribution.
European Roulette offers the standard inside and outside bets, all shown on the table layout.
The main thing that sets this format apart from others is its house edge, which sits at 2.7%. This gives better odds compared to the American Roulette wheel.
American Roulette
The slightly newer format, American Roulette is naturally found more in casinos based within the United States. At its core, it is very similar to its European cousin, with one distinct difference – the double zero.
When Roulette began to gain traction in the US casinos decided to add an extra green pocket to the wheel, increasing the total count to 38. The double-zero had the effect of almost doubling the house edge compared to European Roulette, raising it to 5.26%.
In addition, the spread of numbers around the wheel is slightly different compared to European wheels. This is to preserve the relative odds of different wagers, despite the addition of the 38th pocket.
There is also an additional inside bet available in American Roulette, with players having the option to wager on the ball landing in either of the zero pockets.
French Roulette
You might think that French Roulette is the same as European – it’s France that the game first came from, after all. But there is a clear distinction between the two varieties.
While the design of the wheel itself is the same, French Roulette features additional rules that are unique to this variant. These are known as la partage and en prison, with the two of them reducing the house edge to just 1.35% on certain wagers.
Both these rules relate to the ball landing in the zero pocket. La partage allows players to receive half of their wager on even money bets (red/black, odd/even) back if the ball lands on zero. En prison, instead, ‘imprisons’ the wager, giving back the full amount if the bet would pay out on the next spin.
So, you see that Roulette can mean slightly different things depending on which version you’re talking about!
Disclaimer:
CBD:
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Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
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