- There are three main roulette variants: American, European, and French.
- Each of these variants has small differences that affect gameplay.
- These variants can also be played in a live dealer format.
The iconic wheel of roulette gives it instant recognizability. But there are subtle differences between the different types of online roulette. This online roulette guide will cover the differences between the three primary roulette versions commonly found in online casinos so players can decide which ruleset is right for them.
Roulette Rules Reminder
The basic gameplay of roulette sees players placing bets on one or more winning numbers each round. Then the croupier spins the roulette wheel and drops a ball into it. Whichever numbered pocket the ball falls into wins.
While there can only be one winning number, the layout of the roulette table allows players to spread bets over several numbers at once, or to bet on larger categories such as the winning number’s colour.
All roulette rule sets stick to this format, though they vary the number of pockets and bets, and sometimes add new rules.
European Roulette
Those new to roulette may want to start by learning and practising roulette rules for beginners with European roulette, as this offers the best balance of odds and rules to novice players. The key difference between a game of European roulette and other versions of the game is that European roulette is played with a wheel that has 37 pockets: 16 red, 16 black, and one green zero pocket.
Players can encounter European rules in a variety of online titles, where they are commonly used as the foundation for roulette games with unique mechanics. This is thanks to the game’s easy-to-learn rules. For example, Lightning Roulette is based on European rules but adds payout multipliers to enhance the gameplay.
American Roulette
American roulette changes the layout by adding an additional green double zero (00) pocket. The double-zero layout increases the house edge in the casino’s favour. To accommodate the new space, there’s also a unique wheel layout in American roulette vs European roulette.
American rules are also notable for introducing a new roulette bet, the five-number basket bet, similar to a street or double-street bet but laid across the topmost numbers on the table (0, 00, 1, 2, and 3). Aside from being the only combo bet covering exactly five numbers, this bet has a house edge of 7.89%.
French Roulette
French rules use the same wheel and table layout as European rules. There are two notable rules in French roulette: La Partage and En Prison.
Under La Partage rules, if a player bets on an even bet (red/black, even/odds, high/low) and the spin results in a zero, only half the bet is forfeited, and the other half is returned to the bettor. This forgiving rule helps lower the house edge of French rules compared to other variants.
The En Prison rule is an extension of the La Partage rules, which may or may not be available depending on the casino or online roulette title. Under En Prison rules, instead of receiving half the bet back, a player can “imprison” their full bet if they placed an even-money wager. The bet remains in place on the bet box and play continues to the next round. If the bet wins, the player gets their wager back. If another zero is spun again, the imprisoned bets are forfeit.
Comparing Roulette Variants
The main types of roulette vary mostly according to two factors: the number of green zeroes on the wheel, and whether La Partage and En Prison rules are in play. These factors impact the house edge of each variant, as seen below:
| Roulette Variant | House Edge | # of Pockets | # of Green Pockets | Five-number Basket Bet? | La Partage or En Prison Rules? |
| European | 2.70% | 37 | 1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| American | 5.26% | 38 | 2 | ✔️ | ❌ |
| French | 1.35% | 37 | 1 | ❌ | ✔️ |
European rules remain the most accessible variant for new players, with reasonable roulette odds and the fewest added rules to learn. French rules minimize the house edge at the cost of extra complexity. American roulette offers the fewest benefits to players compared to other roulette variations.
Live Roulette
A number of the best roulette games online are live dealer titles, in which a human croupier conducts the game from the comfort of a studio set. The game is then live-streamed to players across the world. Live roulette is appealing because it allows simultaneous play with a real dealer and other human players.
Unique gameplay mechanics are also common in live titles. This can vary from increased payouts or faster gameplay to immersive aesthetic gimmicks like 3D visual effects. Some of the most popular options for online roulette in Canada are live dealer roulette games.
