Variants
- European (single zero) – lower house edge (~2.70%).
- American (double zero) – higher house edge (~5.26%).
- French – European wheel with La Partage/En Prison rules on even‑money bets, reducing loss when zero hits.
Bet Types
| Category | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inside | Straight (1), Split (2), Street (3), Corner (4), Line (6) | Higher payouts, higher variance. |
| Outside | Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1–18/19–36, Dozens, Columns | Lower variance; even‑money bets benefit from French rules. |
House Edge
| Wheel / Rule | Edge (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| European (single zero) | ≈ 2.70% | Preferred over double‑zero where available. |
| American (double zero) | ≈ 5.26% | Higher edge due to 00. |
| French (La Partage / En Prison) | ≈ 1.35% on even‑money bets when zero | Halves the loss on even‑money bets when zero appears. |
Strategy & Bankroll
- Prefer single‑zero wheels; avoid high‑edge proposition areas on American layouts.
- Use even‑money bets on French tables to benefit from zero protections.
- Set session limits; roulette is high variance—pace bets and take breaks.
Etiquette
- Place chips cleanly before “no more bets”; don’t touch after the ball drops.
- Ask dealers to clarify payouts or minimums—totally fine.
Glossary
- La Partage: Half of even‑money bets returned when zero hits.
- En Prison: Even‑money bet is held for the next spin when zero hits.
- Inside/Outside bets: Bet area categories on the layout.