Visually, there is very little difference between the American and European roulette wheels, though seasoned players can tell the two apart just by looking. Not only does one variant feature an extra number but the order of numbers is also completely different. But which one is better? There are a couple of gameplay differences and bet types that determine their appeal to the players.
Main Difference Between American & European Roulette
The most noticeable difference in the two games is that the American roulette wheel features an extra 00 number, whereas the European roulette only has one green pocket with a single zero.
As for other differences – well, there’s the total number of pockets, the house edge, and the bet types. The American roulette wheel has a total of 38 pockets, out of which 18 are red numbers and 18 are black numbers, and the rest are green numbers 0 and 00.
The European roulette on the other hand features a total of 37 pockets, consisting of 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers with only 1 green number 0. Take away the 00 from the American variant and you will be left with what looks like a European roulette wheel.
Most other variants of online roulette you’ll find are based on these two classic types. The online roulette game page at Bovada offers other subtypes that combine the original concepts with new functionalities and modern gameplay features. For instance, a game of Vulcano roulette provides players with up to 500x bet multipliers on any spin, along with features such as “Track Layout” that lets players bet right/left of red and black pockets. This specific variant has 37 slots numbered 0-36.
Dragon roulette, VIP roulette, and Zoom roulette are other popular variants that you may come across when exploring these games. Each of these types features its own set of rules that make them unique and interesting. You may find different bet limits, multipliers, and similar features that allow for multiple betting possibilities.
House Edge
The house edge in American roulette is twice what you get in European roulette because of that extra 00 pocket. The typical European roulette game online has a house edge of 2.70%, whereas the American variant boasts a 5.26% house edge.
So what is house edge? Why does it matter? It’s a number that represents how much the casino expects to get from a game. A house of edge of 5.26% means for every $10 bet, the house is going to make $0.53, and the rest is returned to the bettors. However, this is only on paper, as it may stand to not win anything at all on that single $10 bet. This number is representative of averages over time.
This is why it’s important to understand that the house edge doesn’t guarantee your win but rather shows how you can factor it into your long-term betting strategy. The probability of a player winning a bet on European roulette is slightly higher than the American version because of the missing 00 slot. Other variants and multipliers do affect this probability and also the payout, so make sure you’re keeping them in mind too.
American Roulette vs. European Roulette: Which Is Better?
American roulette is the classic game known to every enthusiast, but it came after the European version. Both games run the same even in digital settings, but if you like to play games with higher odds, the European version offers that. If you prefer a challenge and want to test your luck, the American variant might be better for you. You’ve therefore got to pick based on which you feel would be more exciting for you – it’s the only way to make sure you’re having fun!
Bet types that cover specific areas on the wheel are available with some European roulettes and even in the classic variant. This may open up new approaches for players looking to maximize their chances of winning. Games with multipliers and other functionalities like the “history” feature found in Vulcano roulette can make gameplay more engaging.
Bet Types & Strategies: Do They Matter?
Bet types play a major role in determining odds. Besides just betting on the number that you think is your lucky charm, you can use other bet types like “five bet,” which covers five numbers, increasing your chances of winning. Winning is more consistent in these different bet types, but the winning payout is on the lower side.
A straight-up bet where you bet on the number you think is going to win tends to be the most challenging but does offer better payouts if you get lucky. Understanding these numbers and different types of bets matters if you want to play with a plan in mind and if you are using strategies to score wins more often. Games of luck rely heavily on the excitement and entertainment value, but the mathematical component does add some level of consistency to them.
