Roulette Types: Which Version Should You Play?

Not all roulette wheels are created equal. The number of green pockets on the wheel directly affects your odds on every spin, and the difference between variants can cut the house edge in half or double it.

We're breaking down European, French, and American roulette, plus newer versions like Lightning and Speed Roulette. You'll know exactly which one matches your style by the end.

What are the main types of roulette?

You'll run into three main roulette types at casinos: European, French, and American. The difference between them comes down to one thing, really, and that's the number of zeros on the wheel. European and French roulette stick with one zero. American roulette throws in a second one. That extra zero changes your odds on every single spin.

• European Roulette: Single zero wheel, widely considered the standard version at online casinos
• French Roulette: Same single zero wheel, but with special rules that return part of your bet when zero hits
• American Roulette: Double zero wheel, which increases the house edge significantly

Past those three classics, crypto casinos run modern versions like Lightning Roulette, Speed Roulette, and multi-ball games. They all play a little differently, but the basic betting stays the same.

European roulette

Most players start here. European roulette's the standard version. The single zero wheel creates better odds than American roulette, which explains why it dominates online casino lobbies.

Wheel and table layout

The wheel's got 37 pockets. Numbers 1 to 36 alternate red and black, plus one green zero. The numbers aren't just thrown on there randomly, either. Designers spread odd, even, high, and low numbers around the wheel to keep things balanced.

The table's got a grid for inside bets on specific numbers. Outside sections cover red/black, odd/even, dozens, and columns.

Rules and house edge

The game runs pretty simply. You drop chips on the table, dealer spins the wheel, ball lands in a pocket. Winning bets pay out at set odds. Hit a single number and you get 35:1.

House edge? 2.70%. That green zero is how the casino gets its edge. Every bet gets hit with that same 2.70% edge, color or number.

French roulette

French roulette runs the same wheel as European. Same basic odds. Two special rules make the difference. They cut you a break on even-money bets.

Wheel and table layout

The betting layout uses French terminology: Impair for odd, Pair for even, Manque for low numbers (1-18), and Passe for high numbers (19-36). A lot of French tables throw in a racetrack diagram. That's for call bets, which are combo wagers that cover certain wheel sections.

La Partage and En Prison rules

When the ball lands on zero, two rules can soften the blow on even-money bets:

• La Partage: Casino gives back half your bet right away. You lose the other half, but it's better than losing everything.
• En Prison: Your bet stays "imprisoned" on the table for the next spin. If your bet hits on the next spin, you get your money back. No extra winnings, just your stake.

House edge advantage

Turn on La Partage or En Prison and the house edge on even-money bets drops to 1.35%. That's half the European edge. Makes French roulette your best bet if you stick to outside wagers.

The trade-off? These rules only work on even-money bets, though. Number bets still get the standard 2.70% edge.

American roulette

You'll find American roulette at most US casinos. Experienced online players skip it. The double zero jacks up the house edge. You get nothing extra for it.

Wheel and table layout

American wheels pack 38 pockets. Numbers 1-36 in red and black, plus two green zeros (0 and 00). Number sequence runs differently from European wheels. Doesn't change the math, though.

American tables have one unique bet: the five-number spread covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.

The double zero difference

That extra zero shifts your odds every single spin. 38 pockets instead of 37 means your chances of hitting a number drop. Payouts stay the same as European roulette, though.

Single number still pays 35:1. But your real odds of winning? 37:1, not 36:1. The casino pockets that difference.

Rules and house edge

House edge jumps to 5.26% on American roulette. The five-number bet performs even worse at 7.89%, making it the single worst wager on any standard roulette table.

Skip American roulette unless it's all you've got. European or French give you better odds.

European vs American vs French roulette compared

French roulette gives you the best odds if you play outside bets. European is solid if you mix inside and outside bets. Only play American if nothing else is around.

Live dealer roulette

Live roulette streams real spins from pro studios. You get online convenience, but it feels like an actual casino. All three main variants appear in live format, along with several modern twists.

Immersive roulette

Cameras catch every moment of the spin. You even get slow-mo replays of the ball dropping. Good for players who want more to watch than basic live tables.

Speed roulette

Betting window drops to about 25 seconds between spins. Dealers move fast. Perfect if you know what you're betting and hate waiting around.

Auto roulette

No dealer, just an automated wheel that spins continuously. Results come faster than any dealer can manage. Tables run 24/7. You'll find auto roulette at most crypto casinos with live game sections.

Online roulette variants

Online casinos run way more than those three classic types now. New versions change up the gameplay but keep the same basic betting.

Lightning roulette

Each round, a few straight-up numbers get random multipliers from 50x to 500x. The catch? Regular payouts drop from 35:1 to 29:1 to balance those multipliers. Higher volatility, bigger swings.

Instant roulette

Multiple wheels spin at the same time. When you bet, your wager goes on whatever wheel's about to drop the ball. No waiting between rounds.

Multi-ball roulette

Two or three balls hit the wheel each spin. You get multiple winning numbers per round. Changes how you bet when multiple numbers win at once.

Mini roulette

Smaller wheel with just 13 pockets. Numbers 1-12 and one zero. Fewer numbers change the odds. Casinos usually throw this at new players.

Common roulette bets across all variants

Bet types don't change between roulette versions. The wheel might be different, but you're betting the same way.

Inside bets

Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups of adjacent numbers on the table layout:

• Straight up: A single number, pays 35:1
• Split: Two adjacent numbers, pays 17:1
• Street: Three numbers in a horizontal row, pays 11:1
• Corner: Four numbers forming a square, pays 8:1
• Line: Six numbers across two adjacent rows, pays 5:1

Outside bets

Outside bets cover larger groups with lower payouts but higher hit frequency:

• Red/Black: Color of the winning pocket, pays 1:1
• Odd/Even: Number parity, pays 1:1
• High/Low: Numbers 1-18 or 19-36, pays 1:1
• Dozens: First (1-12), second (13-24), or third (25-36) twelve, pays 2:1
• Columns: Vertical column of twelve numbers, pays 2:1

How to choose the right roulette variant

Pick based on what you care about most. Odds? Speed? Overall experience?

Want the lowest house edge? French roulette with La Partage is your best shot if you bet even-money. Like mixing inside and outside bets? European roulette gives you good odds without weird rules.

Want fast action? Go for Speed Roulette or Instant Roulette. After bigger swings? Lightning Roulette's your game. Payouts drop but you get multiplier shots.