Roulette’s success cannot be understated. Online casinos have managed to bring the game to a broader audience. However, even at the numerous gambling websites on the internet, it is now possible to play different versions of the casino classic.
For most people, roulette is just roulette. However, experienced gamblers who play roulette for real money online know that there are three distinct variants on the game, that capture a broad audience worldwide. In this article, we would like to explore those three categories.
Some of you may be surprised to learn that there aren’t many differences between these three versions of the game. However, what differences there are, greatly change the experience gamblers will have. So, without further ado, let us take a look at the three versions of roulette.
European
European roulette is thought to be the first version of the game. With a house edge of 2.7%, European roulette is a pretty good option for new players who want an easy gambling game to start with. But, what exactly does European roulette entail?
This version of the game features the classic roulette wheel, with 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, and a single green pocket marked “0.” Should the ball land on the green pocket, the players lose any even bet they might have put down.
But, there is a version of the game where this risk is either greatly lowered, or thrown out entirely. Which brings us to French roulette, a modified version of European roulette that many people seem to love.
French
French roulette differs in no significant way from its European counterpart. The sole difference is that in French roulette, the players abide by one or two extra rules; en prison and la partage. These rules are put into place to minimize the damage that landing on the 0 pocket would cause.
The idea is that, when making a bet on even odds, a player might either receive no half of their wager back, or receive the full wager back if the ball lands on a green pocket. The rules have significantly improved the game odds, placing the house edge of French roulette at 1.6%.
But, there is a version of the game that doubles the house edge of the original. Despite that, it is the most popular option at online and land-based casinos today. So, without further ado, let us discuss American roulette.
American
Thought to be the most recent iteration of roulette, the American version of the game came about in the 20th century, and quickly took over the gambling world. It was introduced to online casinos at the start of the 21st century, and it is already most people’s first choice.
At first glance, American roulette does not differ from the classic. However, savvy gamblers will notice that the game features an extra green pocket. That means the risk of losing your wager is doubled, and thus the house edge is also doubled, sitting at 5.2%.
Despite the odds, American roulette is currently the most popular version of the game, at least at online casinos. It could be that it is so popular because of the risk. Or, it could just be the cultural force that America represents right now.
