Roulette is not only one of the oldest games we find in the casino, it is also by far the most popular casino game. Besides, it’s not only fun to play it in a land-based casino. Nowadays it can also be played very well and easily in the online casino.
Online you can also find many variations on the traditional roulette game. These are sometimes even more fun than the original version and you can win much more with them as well.
In this article we’ll discuss the different steps you can take to play with the lowest house edge. We will also look at the different roulette variations and which ones have the best winning chances.
Different roulette variations
There are different variants of the roulette game, with the greatest distinction being made by the number of numbers on the roulette. In addition, the different variants use some rules that differ from the standard rules. Below is an overview of the main variants and their specific features.
American Roulette
In American roulette 38 numbers are used, including the numbers 1 through 36, a single zero and a double zero. The single and double zero are numbers to consider, as they give the casino an extra house edge.
Below is a summary of your chances of winning when you place a bet on the low series:
- 18 numbers give you a profit (1-18);
- 20 numbers give you a loss (18-36, 0 and 00);
- 18:38=47.37% chance of winning;
- Single zero and double zero constitute the house edge (5.26%).
A house edge of 5.26% is quite high for a casino game. There are only a few other casino games that have such a house edge.
American roulette is basically the least profitable roulette game to play due to the house edge. However, with the right strategy, there are methods that can make it attractive to play.
This is basically the least profitable roulette variation, however with the right strategy it can become attractive.
European Roulette
The European Roulette is played with 36 numbers and a single zero. The only difference between the American Roulette and the European Roulette is the absence of the double zero.
As we saw with the American Roulette, a zero and double zero provides the house edge. Therefore, playing with a single zero is slightly more advantageous than playing a roulette with both a single and a double zero.
Here’s another example of your winning chances in European roulette, where you bet on either black or red, we’ll just choose black;
- 18 squares on the roulette give you a profit (all black squares);
- 19 squares give you a loss (all red squares plus the zero);
- 18:37=48,64%;
- A single zero as a house edge 2.70%.
A house edge of 2.70% makes European Roulette the most favorable roulette variant. So it is wise to choose this variation.
In Dutch land-based casinos you’ll hardly find American Roulette. Playing American Roulette online is of course possible and you know now that you have a much lower winning chance with it.
French Roulette
The French Roulette variant is also played with a single zero, only this variant has an important rule.
This rule is called La Partage and applies to bets that pay out once your bet, such as black/red, even/uneven and high or low street. If you have bet on these and the ball falls on the zero box, you get half of your bet back.
Here’s an example of how the La Partage rule can give you just a little more edge, where you bet on ‘odd’;
- 18 squares will give you a profit (all odd numbers);
- 19 squares give you a loss (all even squares plus the zero);
- 18:37 = 48,64%;
- ([1 / 37] x 0.5 (la partage) = 1.35% house advantage.
A house edge of 1.35% is obviously very low and that makes French Roulette one of the most favorable roulette variants you can play.
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Mini Roulette
In Mini Roulette, you don’t play with 36 numbers, but with 12 numbers and a zero. The game is ideal for players looking for a roulette variation, but still using the rules of European Roulette. However, in terms of profit advantage, this variant is the least favorable to play on.
Here’s an example calculation that shows that mini roulette has the highest house edge;
- You place a bet on the low series;
- 6 pockets give you a profit (1-6);
- 7 give you a loss (7-12 plus the zero);
- 6:13=46.15% chance of winning;
- 1 (zero) / 13 = 7.69% house advantage.
A house edge of 7.69% is absurdly high, although there are variants of mini roulette in which the La Partage rule is used, immediately lowering the house edge a bit, namely 3.85%. Not an insanely low house edge either, but still better than that in American Roulette.
Mini Roulette is not played with 36, but with 12 numbers and a zero.
Use the Special Roulette Bonuses
If you’re looking for the most suitable roulette game, then it’s definitely worth checking out the casino bonuses offered by different casinos.
Many bonuses are targeted towards players who like to play video slots and slot machines, but there are plenty of bonuses that can also be used to play roulette.
A bonus is when you receive a certain percentage of the amount you deposited as extra play credit. This credit can be quite substantial. For example, if you take advantage of a 100% bonus with a maximum of €300 and you deposit €300, you’ll play with a total of €600 at the roulette table.
Please note that bonuses are always provided under certain conditions. The playthrough rule is one of the most important conditions to take into account. It stipulates that winnings can only be cashed out if the bonus money you received was first wagered a number of times while playing roulette.
Suppose you activate a bonus with a wagering rule of 40 times the bonus amount, then in practice it looks like this:
- You deposit €300 and get 100% as a bonus.
- The wagering rule is set at 40x the bonus amount (40x€300=€12,000).
- All bets combined must total €12,000 before you can withdraw any winnings made with the bonus.
This seems like a huge amount, but in practice the bets are already going pretty fast. In addition, players who have made a profit tend to wager higher and higher, making the bonus play out even faster.
Furthermore, when using a bonus it is always important to read the terms and conditions. You will then know how long the bonus is valid, how many times the bonus must be played around and whether any payout limits apply.
Find the best roulette variations
If you’re looking for a roulette variant with reasonably high winning chances, you’d be wise to avoid American Roulette or Mini Roulette. A first step to finding a favorable roulette game is by playing at an online casino. There you will find all the variations of the roulette and also they have roulette games that are equipped with special extra features.
The next step is to find the most favorable roulette games: the French and European Roulette.
European Roulette
To find the European variants you usually don’t have to look long. In fact, most online casinos use the European variant as their main roulette game. Variations equipped with extra features also use the European variant.
French Roulette
Finding the French Roulette is a bit trickier and here you can pay attention to the game developers that an online casino uses. For example, French Roulette is offered by game developers like RealTime Gaming and Microgaming. If an online casino uses these two game developers then chances are that the casino has included French Roulette in its game offering.
If your favorite casino does not offer the French Roulette or if you want to try the American Roulette, be sure to check if the La Partage rule is used, because it makes a difference between a house edge of 5.26% or 2.63%.
Conclusion
In the Dutch land-based casino you’ll actually only find the European variant of roulette. To play American Roulette you can go to the many online casinos. French Roulette, on the other hand, can only be found at a few online casinos.
All roulette variations look the same, except for the Mini Roulette, which has its own design. Due to the very high house edge it is, as said, not advisable to prefer this variant. At least, not if you really play roulette for profit!