European roulette is one of the most popular casino games, not only because of the simplicity of its rules, but also because it relies on only one zero, which is an important point that professionals know well. This article will be your complete guide, whether you want to understand the basics of the game or learn about its most popular versions in online casinos
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What Is European Roulette?
It is one of the most famous types of roulette games in online casinos, and it is based on a wheel that includes 37 pockets, consisting of the numbers from 1 to 36 in addition to only one zero. The idea of the game simply revolves around predicting the outcome where the ball will land after the wheel spins, whether that is a specific number, a color, a group of numbers, or a certain type of outside bet
Many people prefer to play European roulette because it combines ease of understanding with a variety of betting options, and the casino advantage is also lower compared to some other versions, especially American roulette. The presence of only one zero is the most prominent feature of the European table
Components of the European Roulette Table
| Component | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Roulette Wheel | The spinning wheel that contains the numbered pockets and is used to determine the final outcome of the round when the ball comes to rest on one of the numbers. |
| Ball | A small ball that is launched into its designated track, then comes to rest in one of the wheel’s pockets to determine the winning number. |
| Numbered Pockets | The wheel includes 37 pockets covering the numbers from 1 to 36 in addition to a single zero. |
| Zero (0) | The only green pocket in European roulette, and it is the element that gives the casino its mathematical advantage. |
| Red and Black Numbers | The numbers from 1 to 36 are divided between the red and black colors. |
| Roulette Layout | The board on which the player places bets, and it is divided into an inside section for numbers and an outside section for general bets. |
| Inside Section of the Table | It includes the grid of numbers from 1 to 36 along with the zero, and inside bets are placed on it. |
| Outside Section of the Table | It includes general betting options such as red/black, even/odd, low/high, dozens, and columns. |
Types of Bets in European Roulette
If you are going to play European roulette online, you must know the types of bets, as the matter does not depend only on the spin of the roulette wheel. Bets are divided into two main types: inside bets and outside bets. The probabilities differ greatly between the two types, which in turn leads to differences in the payout table, and this is what we will explain in more detail below
Inside Bets on the European Roulette Table
These are bets placed on a single number or a small group of numbers on the roulette layout, and they are characterized by higher returns in terms of winnings. However, the more precise the bet is, the lower the chances of winning become. For this reason, inside bets are described as higher-risk and higher-return than outside bets. Below are the forms of inside bets along with the known payouts in standard European roulette versions
| Bet Type | What It Covers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up Bet | Only one number | 35:1 |
| Split Bet | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
| Street Bet | 3 numbers in one row | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet | 4 adjacent numbers | 8:1 |
| Six Line Bet | 6 numbers across two adjacent rows | 5:1 |
Outside Bets on the European Roulette Table
These are bets placed on the outer sections of the roulette layout, and they do not target a specific number, but rather a larger group of numbers or outcomes. For this reason, they are considered easier to understand and more popular among beginners, because they give the player a relatively better chance of winning compared to inside bets. In return, however, the payout value is lower. Below are the traditional forms of outside bets along with their payouts in detail
| Bet Type | What It Covers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | All red or black numbers | 1:1 |
| Even / Odd | All even or odd numbers | 1:1 |
| Odd / Even | From 1 to 18 or from 19 to 36 | 1:1 |
| Dozen | 12 numbers (example: 1st 12) | 2:1 |
| Column | 12 numbers in one of the table columns | 2:1 |
How Can I Play European Roulette?
First: Betting Chips
In roulette tables, bets are placed using special chips that resemble coins and are considered the primary means of playing inside the casino. Therefore, the player usually begins by choosing the value of the chip (or chips) they want to use. This varies according to the value of the bet they wish to place, in addition to the maximum limit allowed at the table
Second: Placing the Bet
After choosing the value of the chips, the betting process takes place by placing the chips on the space you want to bet on, whether it is a direct number, a color such as red and black, or an option such as even and odd, and other available bets. If you are playing live roulette, it is important to pay attention to the time limit set for placing bets, because when the time ends, the table is closed and the round begins without the possibility of adding any new bet
Third: Spinning the Wheel and Starting the Round
At this point, betting is closed and players can no longer add any new bet. If you are playing at a live table, the dealer starts spinning the roulette wheel and launching the ball into its designated track, and the round begins effectively. In virtual roulette, however, the round starts as soon as the designated button is pressed to activate it
Fourth: Bet Result
In live roulette, the result begins to appear after the ball stops inside one of the wheel’s pockets, and at that point the player knows whether the bet has won or lost, then a new round begins in the same way. In virtual roulette, the idea does not differ in terms of the result, but the flow of the round is usually faster, because the winning number is determined through a system based on a random number generator instead of the actual movement of the ball on the wheel
Key European Roulette Online Terms
Before you play European roulette, you need to understand the terms related to the table, bets, and payouts, which will make the game easier and more enjoyable, whether you are playing at a live table or a virtual one. Below are the most important of these terms
- Dealer: The person responsible for managing the game at live tables, from opening and closing bets to spinning the wheel, launching the ball, and announcing the result.
- Chips: They resemble coins in real life, and the player uses them to place bets on the table. They are usually available in several denominations (for example: $1 / $5 / $10 … etc.).
- Closing Bets: The moment when no new bets are accepted before the wheel starts spinning. After this stage, the player cannot modify their bet or add another one.
- Payout: The value of the winnings that the player receives if their bet is successful. The payout varies depending on the type of bet and the number of numbers it covers.
- House Edge: The mathematical percentage that gives the casino an advantage over the long term. In European roulette, it is usually 2.70% because there is only one zero.
- Virtual Roulette or RNG Roulette: The version that relies on a random number generator instead of a real wheel and a live dealer, and it is characterized by fast rounds and ease of play
Most Popular European Roulette Casino Games
The European roulette casino is known for offering a large number of game versions provided by famous companies such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play, among many others, but the difference between them is not limited to the provider’s name alone. Some games maintain the usual classic form of the wheel and table, while other games add elements such as higher speed, multipliers, or a more interactive live presentation style. Therefore, it is useful to know the leading providers of live European roulette tables and the most popular games offered by each company in order to understand what makes them different
Evolution
It is considered the leading global innovator in the live casino sector, as it is known for developing European roulette versions with cinematic production and large multipliers that give the traditional game a modern character
XXXtreme Lightning Roulette
The game is based on a single-zero number layout, but it adds a Multipliers system that increases winnings dramatically in the following way:
- Lightning Round: After bets are closed, from 1 to 5 random numbers are selected to receive multipliers ranging from 50x to 500x.
- Lightning Storm: An additional feature that can increase the number of selected numbers for multipliers to reach 10 numbers in a single round.
- Double Strikes: In some rounds, the lightning strikes a second time to raise the multiplier values to extraordinary figures reaching 2000x.
As for the probabilities and betting:
- RTP: It is generally around 97.30%, but it drops slightly to 97.10% when betting only on straight numbers.
- Volatility: Very high, which means that big winnings are rare but huge when they occur.
- Minimum Bet: It usually starts from $0.20.
Red Door Roulette
It combines multiplier mechanics with the famous bonus wheel. It is played on a European roulette wheel, but it focuses on triggering a bonus round through the mysterious “Red Door.
Gameplay Mechanism
- Wheel of Fortune: At the beginning of each round, a virtual wheel spins to determine the number of keys that will be distributed across the betting grid.
- Bonus Keys: These keys are assigned randomly to specific numbers. Some keys may also carry a multiplier ranging from 2x to 20x.
- Bonus Trigger: If the ball lands on a number that contains a key, and you have an active straight-up bet on that number, the host opens the “Red Door” to lead you to the bonus round.
As for the probabilities and betting:
- Return to Player: Around 97.30%, while the percentage drops slightly for straight-up bets to 97.09%.
- Betting Limits: They usually start from $0.05 to $5,000.
- Maximum Win: The maximum win is often set at $500,000
Double Ball Roulette
One of the double ball roulette versions, this table is based on using two balls instead of one, which changes the probabilities significantly, as players get two chances to hit their numbers in each round. Below is the gameplay mechanism:
- Launch: Two balls are launched simultaneously from a special compressed air tube.
- Two Winning Numbers: Each round produces two winning results (unless both balls land on the same pocket).
- Bonus Trigger: If the ball lands on a number that contains a key, and you have an active straight-up bet on that number, the host opens the “Red Door” to lead you to the bonus round.
- Inside Bets: You only need one ball to land on your number in order to win. If both balls land on your number, you receive double the payout.
- Outside Bets: Both balls must land together on the result you selected (for example, both balls must land on red) for the bet to be a winning one.
- The payout table differs from standard European roulette because there are two chances to win.
- Double Ball Prize: This is based on betting that both balls will land in the same pocket, and if that happens, it offers a payout of up to 1,300:1.
- RTP: The percentage is 97.30%.
Pragmatic Play
It is known as a leading provider that offers a flexible and high-quality European roulette experience, with a focus on advanced user interfaces and smart betting features suitable for players across all devices
Mega Roulette
It is considered one of the most popular live casino games and is based on the feature of random multipliers and large bets. Below are the most important features of this version
- Mega Multipliers: After bets are closed, from 1 to 5 random numbers are selected and given multipliers ranging from 50x to 500x. These multipliers apply only to straight-up bets on a single number
- Mega Bets: Pre-programmed options that allow the player to cover large sections of the wheel with individual bets in one click to increase the chances of hitting the multiplied number
- Mega Chances: They cover all 18 numbers of an even-money bet as individual bets (for example: all red numbers).
- Mega Columns/Dozens: They cover all 12 numbers in a column as individual bets.
- The game uses a precise automated wheel that works with air pressure to launch the ball without direct human intervention
- RTP: It is around 97.50% for straight-up bets, while other bets follow the traditional rate of 97.30%
Lucky 6 Roulette
It is considered one of the fast-paced games, and it adds a unique touch to multiplier roulette games. Its most notable feature is the selection of 6 numbers to receive multipliers in each round. Below are its most prominent features
- Multipliers: Unlike other versions in which the number of multiplied numbers changes, this version of European roulette always assigns multipliers to 6 numbers in every round.
- Multiplier Range: The value of the multipliers ranges from 50x up to 2,088x of your bet value.
- The game follows the standard European roulette rules (37 pockets, from 0 to 36), but the payout tables have been adjusted to suit the recurring multipliers.
- Single Number Bet Payout: When winning a bet on a single number, the payout is 19:1 (in the absence of a multiplier).
- Multiplier Payouts: If the ball lands on one of the six numbers that have been multiplied, the payout is increased to the assigned value (for example 100x, 500x, or the maximum of 2,088x).
- RTP: The percentage is 97.30%, although its volatility is much higher
Fortune Roulette
This table combines standard European roulette with random multipliers and a unique Bonus Game based on lucky wheels. Below are the main key features
- Multipliers: At the beginning of each round, from 1 to 6 random numbers are selected and awarded multipliers that can reach up to 540x.
- Chest Feature: The special “chest” symbol may appear to collect all active multipliers on the screen, granting their total value for potential prizes of up to 3,240x.
- Bonus Game: If the ball lands on the designated “bonus” pocket on the wheel, the game moves to a separate round based on reels. Players receive spins to collect additional multipliers, with a maximum payout of up to 9,000x.
- To fund the potential for huge bonuses, the basic payouts for inside bets are lower than the payouts in standard European roulette.
- RTP: It is 97.30%.
- Volatility: The game has very high volatility because of the adjusted payout table, which means that wins are less frequent, but they can be much larger when they occur.
European Roulette Rules and Strategies
European roulette strategies revolve around the way bets are managed, not around finding a guaranteed method to make profits, and this is a point that players should know from the beginning. There is no magic solution for making profits, but it is important for players to have knowledge of European roulette rules and strategies as methods that can be tried while playing
Martingale Strategy
The Martingale strategy is based on doubling the player’s bet after a loss, with the aim of recovering previous losses and achieving a small profit. In other words, if the player places their bet on only one color and then continues doubling the bet until they win, they recover their losses, provided that they keep doubling the losing bets
Reverse Martingale
The goal here is to increase the bet after a win and reduce it after a loss, while taking the factor of caution into account. It is not necessarily true that if one color wins consecutively, the other color will appear in the following round
Fibonacci Strategy
The Fibonacci strategy in European roulette is based on the famous sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…), where each number represents the sum of the two numbers before it. It is usually applied to outside bets with even chances, such as (Red/Black). Betting begins with one unit, and in the event of a loss, you move to the next number in the sequence to increase your bet gradually. When you win, you move back two steps in the sequence
D’Alembert Strategy
The D’Alembert strategy in European roulette is based on the principle of gradual balance, as it assumes that losses and wins will even out over the long term, and it is intended for outside bets such as (Red/Black). It begins with choosing a fixed bet value, and with each loss, you increase your bet by only one unit to recover the deficit slowly, while with each win, you reduce your bet by the same amount to secure your profits
FAQs About European Roulette
Why do many players prefer European roulette?
Because the presence of only one zero on the layout reduces the casino’s advantage compared to American roulette, and its rules are also clear and easy to understand
How many pockets are there in European roulette?
The European roulette wheel contains 37 pockets, including the numbers from 1 to 36 in addition to a single zero
What is the highest payout in European roulette?
The highest payout on classic tables for a straight-up bet on a single number is 35:1, but there are many new versions and editions that offer different payout tables and rely on profit multipliers, which we mentioned in our article
Do European roulette versions differ in online casinos?
Yes, the versions differ in terms of game speed, presentation style, the presence of multipliers, and the nature of the experience between classic, live, and entertainment versions
What Are the Most Popular Live European Roulette Versions?
There are many distinctive games offered by online casinos, and below are some of the most popular ones: XXXtreme Lightning Roulette
Red Door Roulette
Double Ball Roulette
Mega Roulette
Lucky 6 Roulette
Fortune Roulette
