Types of Roulette Explained: Ultimate Guide to Better Odds

Types of roulette explained clearly begin with the wheel. European and French roulette normally use one zero, while American roulette adds a double zero. Modern online casinos then add live dealers, RNG software, automated wheels, multipliers and multi-wheel formats.

This guide compares the main roulette types, explains how zero pockets affect the house edge and shows what to check before choosing a table. Use our House Edge Calculator to compare theoretical cost across different wheels and game rules.

Types of Roulette Explained: European vs French vs American

The percentages above describe long-term mathematical expectation, not what will happen in one session. For an explanation of that distinction, read our RTP guide and try the House Edge Calculator.

1. European Roulette

European roulette uses numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green zero. Standard winning bets are paid from the same table used in most roulette versions: 35:1 for a single number, 17:1 for a split, 11:1 for a street, 8:1 for a corner, 5:1 for a six line, 2:1 for a dozen or column and 1:1 for even-money bets.

Because the wheel contains 37 pockets but a straight-up win pays 35:1, the zero creates the house advantage. On ordinary European bets, that advantage is approximately 2.70%. The Wizard of Odds roulette guide explains the standard bets and probabilities in detail.

For most players comparing ordinary tables, single-zero European roulette is the clearest default choice.

2. French Roulette

French roulette uses the same 37-pocket single-zero wheel as European roulette, but the table may use French labels and additional rules. Common terms include Rouge/Noir for red/black, Pair/Impair for even/odd, Manque for 1-18 and Passe for 19-36.

The main attraction is not the language; it is the possible treatment of even-money bets when the ball lands on zero.

La Partage Explained

Under La Partage, half of an eligible even-money stake is returned when zero wins. A R100 red bet would therefore lose R50 rather than the full R100. Applied consistently, this reduces the house edge on those bets to roughly 1.35%.

En Prison Explained

Under En Prison, an eligible even-money bet is held for the next spin when zero appears. Depending on the table rules, the wager may be returned if the next spin wins or lost if it does not. Some tables apply additional conditions, so French roulette should not be assumed to include En Prison automatically.

3. American Roulette

American roulette adds a second green pocket marked 00. The standard wheel therefore has 38 outcomes rather than 37, while the normal payouts remain the same. That pushes the house edge on most bets to approximately 5.26%.

The five-number basket covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 has a house edge of approximately 7.89%, making it less favourable than the other standard American roulette bets. The visual difference is easy to check: if the wheel or table shows both 0 and 00, it is American roulette.

American roulette can still be chosen for entertainment or because a specific table offers a preferred format, but the double zero should be understood before comparing it with a single-zero game.

Inside and Outside Roulette Bets

Inside bets cover fewer numbers and pay more when successful. Outside bets cover larger groups and pay less. On a standard single-zero wheel, the house edge is normally the same across these ordinary bets. Changing the betting pattern changes volatility, not the underlying mathematical advantage.

Our casino volatility guide explains why frequent smaller wins and rare larger wins can feel different even when the long-term return is similar.

Racetrack, Neighbours and French Bets

Many European and French tables include a racetrack interface that follows the physical order of numbers on the wheel. This supports announced or sector bets such as Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins and neighbours of a selected number.

These bets use several chips across a defined section of the wheel. They are not new outcomes or a prediction system; they are a quicker way to cover connected wheel sectors. The total stake must be checked because one click can place multiple individual wagers.

Live Roulette, Auto Roulette and RNG Roulette

Evolution’s live-roulette range includes automated and dealer-led formats, while its First Person products use RNG software and 3D animation. The presentation can change without altering the basic zero structure, so always check whether the underlying game is single-zero or double-zero.

Speed, Instant and Multi-Wheel Roulette

Speed Roulette shortens the betting period and reduces the time between rounds. Instant Roulette works differently: 12 synchronised Auto Roulette wheels spin sequentially, allowing the player to arrange a bet at their own pace and press Play Now when ready. The wheel closest to producing the next result is then selected. Other multi-wheel games allow wagers to be placed across several wheels at once.

Faster and multi-wheel formats can increase the number of results produced during a session. This does not improve the odds. It increases turnover, meaning the total amount wagered can grow quickly even when the stake per result looks small. Session limits and breaks become especially important on rapid tables.

Lightning and Multiplier Roulette

Multiplier roulette changes the normal payout structure to fund enhanced prizes on randomly selected numbers. Evolution’s Lightning Roulette combines a single-zero Auto Roulette wheel, a live presenter and RNG-selected Lucky Numbers. In each round, one to five Lucky Numbers receive multipliers from 50x to 500x.

In the current Evolution version, a non-multiplied straight-up win pays 29:1 rather than the standard 35:1, while ordinary bets such as splits, corners, red/black and dozens retain their standard payouts. Other multiplier variants may use different numbers of multipliers, maximum prizes or bonus features.

Do not compare only the largest advertised multiplier. Check the base payout, qualifying bet, multiplier range, RTP and maximum win.

Double Ball and Other Enhanced Variants

Double Ball Roulette uses two balls in one spin and adds bets based on combinations of the two results. Other enhanced games may combine roulette with bonus rounds, card selections or game-show mechanics.

These products should be treated as separate games rather than standard roulette with a cosmetic theme. Their paytables, bet categories and house edge can differ materially from European roulette.

Which Type of Roulette Is Best for Beginners?

A standard European single-zero table is usually the easiest starting point. It uses familiar bets, avoids the American double zero and does not require the player to understand multiplier funding or bonus mechanics. French roulette can offer stronger treatment of even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison is available, but the terminology may be less familiar.

Beginners should not choose a table only because it is labelled “VIP”, “Lightning” or “premium”. Open the rules first and identify the wheel, normal payouts, special features and minimum stake.

Roulette Table Checklist

• Count the zero pockets: one zero is better than 0 and 00 under standard payouts.
• Check whether La Partage or En Prison applies and which bets qualify.
• Confirm whether the game is live, automated or RNG-based.
• Review the betting window and expected game speed.
• Check the straight-up payout in multiplier variants.
• Open the RTP or house-edge information for the exact version.
• Confirm the total stake before placing racetrack or sector bets.
• Use a fixed budget and avoid systems that require rapidly increasing stakes.

For a separate analysis of Martingale, Fibonacci and other popular systems, read our Roulette Strategy South Africa guide. No staking system changes the wheel probabilities or removes the house edge.