Roulette Table Layout and Variance – Things You Need to Know

Not many roulette players may know this but there are a lot of roulette table layout variances out there and each design is largely based on the different game variances.

For the most part, there is the European, American, and French roulette game versions which have their own roulette and table surface layout. Unless you intend to play on just one type of roulette, then knowing the game’s other forms will help you get a more diverse roulette gaming experience.

In this post, we’re going to make you feel familiar with the different table layout and wheel variances.

The European Roulette Layout

The European or the Old Continent roulette is the more popular, more sought after roulette type among casino players. In its essence, the game is the embodiment of roulette with 36 numbers plus a single zero.

Its betting table layout, like the other variances we’re going to mention below, is rectangular with square spaces, each numbered to represent the numbers found on the wheel. Specific number bets and their corresponding combinations are called “inside bets” and it can be found in the center layout.

Other than the center layout is another rectangular area where the “outside bets” are being made. Here, players can make bets on larger number combinations simultaneously.

The wheel, on the other hand, is comprised of the following numbers, in exact sequence going to the right: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.

The American Roulette Layout

The American version of the game bears close resemblance as with the former. Everything is starkly the same except for the double zero which can be found both in the betting table layout and in the wheel.

Meanwhile, the numbers found on the American roulette wheel has the numbers 0 through 36 and a double zero on the other end.

On the wheel, this is how the numbers are arranged starting from the right: 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2.

The French Table Layout

The French roulette is basically a European roulette game version but with more additional twists. Like the European, it only has a single zero on the wheel and on the betting layout. However, instead of two columns for the outside bets to the left of the “inside bet” layout, the French roulette table have it split into single columns on each side.

Also, there are exotic roulette bets that can only be found in the French version. These are based on the wheel number combinations and are called “call bets.” Examples of which are Voisins du Zero, Tier du Cylindre, Orphans. Learn more about these kinds of bets from this previous post.

If you’d be so inclined to learn the other types of roulette game versions, then you may follow this link right here.

Why Does the Casino Always Win? Is It Possible to Overcome the Roulette Wheel?

The greatest mind this world has ever known, Albert Einstein, supposedly once said that there’s no way a person “can win at roulette unless he steals money from the table while the croupier isn’t looking.”

Although we would normally hail each of Einstein’s statement as the absolute truth, there are still shades of doubts that came to mind when he said it. Of course, a player can win roulette using the physicist’s own specialty, which is physics. Otherwise, he can take the time to find a biased wheel where particular numbers are likely to come up.

Einstein’s statement, like all others that come before and after it, can sometimes be taken out of context. What he probably meant was that there’s no mathematical trick that a player can use to help him beat the roulette.

As we said it again and again, each spin of the roulette wheel is an independent trial. This means, the past results don’t matter to the present and upcoming ones. This is unlike the card games like Baccarat, which is a dependent trial type of game.

A picture of a casino roulette wheel and table.

What makes roulette harder to overcome is the presence of house edge. In this post, we thoroughly discussed what casino advantage is and why this can’t stop you from winning. Despite its presence, this doesn’t mean that a player is automatically lost.

It’s no secret, however, that house edge is already hard-coded into the rules and design of the game. You may call it a gambling tax, or a prerequisite business commission on every transaction, the casino advantage is basically what the establishment charges a player for playing roulette with them.

Note though, that they can’t take this certain % of charge directly off your bankroll or your bet. Rather, they rely on this “magical” gap which occurs between the probability of an event and the amount they actually pay for the bet.

For example in a European Roulette, which has 37 pockets in all: suppose you bet £1 on a number and you win. If there is no house advantage, you should be getting £37 back. However, the payout for a Straight Up is only 35:1. Can you see the difference?

That is the gap between the numbers on the wheel and the casino payout which is 1/37 or 2.7%.

Such amount goes to the cost of the roulette wheels, the salary of the croupier, the complimentary drinks, the lightings, and so on. This is also where the house draws its revenue.

Regarding the question if there’s a way to get rid of the house edge, there’s actually none. Without it, there’d be no casino left standing to serve its avid patrons.

However, there’s a way to somehow get around with this player’s disadvantage: minimizing the house edge. One can reduce house edge simply by choosing the right roulette game to play. We always said it that it’s better to play European roulette, which only has 2.7% advantage, versus the US roulette which has a whopping 5.26%. If you wish to decrease it further, check out the French roulette. It has special rules, La Partage and En Prison, which brings the figure down to 1.35%.

Beating the roulette wheel is another plausible way to beat the house. Some players even took it to the negative simply by spotting wheel biases as well as going for the hot zones.

Of course, let’s not forget better bankroll management. We certainly believe that managing your payroll well is the key to a fruitful and enjoyable roulette game. Having full knowledge as to where your money goes allows you to take better control of your funds. The more funds you have, the longer you get to stay on the table. The longer you play, the higher the chance for you to win.

Essential French Roulette Playing Tips and Strategies

It’s impossible to find a land-based or online casino that doesn’t offer the game of roulette. The level of fun and the possible profits to be had attracts not only the professional gamblers but the new ones as well. The game has three popular versions available to play, depending on the casino establishment, and these are European, American, and French.

We’d be tackling more on the latter roulette game variant because for us, this is probably the best roulette type that you could bet your money on.

In this previous article, we discussed how the French roulette bears significant similarity with the European roulette. In fact, the two shares the same type of wheel (36 numbers + a single zero) but only differs in the layout of the betting table.

Roulette with the Lowest House Edge

Among the top roulette variants, the French roulette is the least offered casino table game, and that is because for a very important reason: it has a tiny house edge of 1.35%, the smallest of the three. You can learn more about casino advantage in this page.

What brought such a very favourable playing condition to the player are the two special rules: La Partage and En Prison.

Once a spin resulted to a zero and if the player placed even money bets (outside bets), the two rules take effect. La Partage, in particular, gives half of the losing even bet back to the player. En Prison, on the other hand, held the losing bet “in prison” for the next round. If the player’s number comes up, he gets his money back full. If not, the casino forfeits the bet.

Tips and Strategies when Playing French Roulette

Now that you have discovered how amazing French Roulette game can be, let’s take a look at some of the time-tested playing tips and strategies that could help you win more or play the game a little longer.

  1. Opt for low stakes. Maintain a level head.
  2. As mentioned above, place on even money bets to take advantage of the low casino edge.
  3. When playing for real, join casino comp club to avail extra special offers.
  4. Always be on the lookout for bonuses and promotions being offered by online roulette casinos.
  5. Keep in mind a sound bankroll management system. In this article, we thoroughly discussed how you can have an enjoyable roulette gaming experience while lessening the risk of burning out the entirety of your casino bankroll.
  6. When looking for an online roulette casino to play French roulette, take time to research if the establishment is fully licensed and is regulated. We have a guide on how to choose the best online casino.
  7. Only play French roulette at sites that offer the game via major software providers.
  8. We highly recommend playing roulette in any variant with LIVE dealers. Here, we explain why it is best to play LIVE Dealer Roulette online.
  9. If live table games are unavailable, make sure that the casino’s RNG is regularly audited.

The core strategy when playing French roulette is to opt for longevity. Any player should aim to play as many spins per session as he can. One way for him to do this is to wager on outside bets like Red/Black or Odd/Even, which pays out 1:1.

Aside from the even money wagers, players will find the low house edge of French roulette very advantageous for them as this further extends their gameplay time thus, more chances for them to win!

Want to try your luck and play French roulette online? Check out these online roulette casino websites:

  1. Euromoon Casino
  2. Mybet Casino
  3. Leo Vegas Casino
  4. Celtic Casino
  5. Mr. Smith Casino

 

A Quick Guide To Playing Online French Roulette

There are three popular versions available when we talk about roulette: European, American, and French. These different versions of the casino game are essentially identical in nature, save perhaps for some rules that are distinctly played in each respective variant.

They share a single objective though, which is for the player to predict correctly the next numbered pocket the roulette ball will settle into. The odds and payouts scheme is quite similar as well. So, even if French roulette may sound a bit odd and different from what you used to play, we’re confident that you’d learn the basic of the game in no time. For those totally new to the roulette game, don’t worry, we got the basics covered in this article.

The French Roulette

Whether it is a land-based or an online casino, a French roulette is basically a European roulette. Their similarity, however, ends in the table layout and the names of the rules.

Actually, if you take a look at a European roulette table and rearranged the placement and change the names of the betting zones, you would have a French roulette table.

Here’s a quick look on the French betting zones which can also be found in a European roulette table.

  1. Manque – the numbers 1 to 18
  2. Passe – the numbers 19 to 36
  3. Rouge – the Reds
  4. Noir – the Blacks
  5. Premiere Douzaine – the first dozen numbers from 1 to 12
  6. Moyenne Douzaine – the second dozen numbers from 13 to 24
  7. Derniere Douzaine – the third dozen numbers 25 – 36

The Racetrack

Another key feature of a French roulette table is the racetrack betting area.

It is a great platform where you can place side bets which cover the three sections of the roulette wheel. They are as follows:

  1. Voisins du Zero (neighbours of zero) – covers 17 numbers in the wheel including the zero (the numbers are 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, & 25)
  2. Tiers du Cylindre (thirds of the wheel) – covers 12 numbers opposite to the Voisins du Zero (27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16 & 33)
  3. Orphelins (orphans) – the remaining 8 numbers located in between the two sections mentioned above (9, 32, 14, 20, 1, 17, 34, & 6)

The House Edge

Like the European roulette, the French version of the game has the same house edge of 2.70%. But did you know that there’s a rule that could further lower down that measly casino advantage by half?

Introducing the la partage and the en prison! There are offline and online roulette casinos that offer these two special playing rules particularly in French roulette tables. Both of the rules cut down the house edge from 2.70% to 1.35%!

The rules come in effect only when a player placed an evens bet (red/black, even/odd) and the ball lands on the 0 pocket.

La Partage – half of the losing even bets returns to the player

En Prison – the players bet is held “in prison.” Player could get his bet back if the next spin favors him or lose if it isn’t. Basically, it’s like getting another shot on the next round for free.

Having variations in your usual routine is nice. French roulette is simply a perfect alternative worth a try, even at least once. But if you want to have an out-of-this-world roulette gaming experience, you might also want to check out some other versions of the game like the Multi-Wheel roulette. This will surely make your online casino roulette nights even more wild and exciting.

 

The Different Roulette Game Variations You Should Have Known By Now

Life is made more enjoyable with variations. Like most of the games played in a land-based or online casino, roulette also has several interesting variants. Perhaps you might already have heard about the European roulette and American roulette, two of the most popular roulette game variations offered in casinos. While the main objective of the game, which is to simply predict where the ball lands, is pretty much the same across all roulette variants, the roulette table layout, the odds, as well as the betting strategies to be used may differ.

Let’s start off the list with the European Roulette

Again, European Roulette, which is sometimes called the “Old Continent” game, is one of the most popular roulette games played in online casinos. The roulette features 37 numbers reflected both on the wheel and on the board. These numbers are from 1 through 36 plus a single zero.

Realistic casino roulette isolated on green background vector illustration

Note that the zero, in all kinds of roulette, is not considered as an even number, opposite to what we learned at school. When the spin comes up with a zero, all bets on the table goes straight to the house, except for bets placed on zero, which would then earn a payout. Thus, the zero on the roulette wheel gives the house its edge.

American Roulette

The American roulette is yet another major variant of the game common in most online casinos today. Playing the American wheel somehow feels like playing with the European version, except for the fact that the former has more pockets than the latter.

An example layout of an American roulette table

The American roulette has 38 numbers both in the wheel and on the board. The numbers comprising are 1 to 36 plus an additional single zero (0) and the double zero (00). As you might have already know, the extra zeroes further increase the house edge and in the case of the American roulette wheel, we’re talking about a whopping 5.26% casino edge. In comparison, the European roulette puts the casino at a mere 2.63% advantage.

In some online roulette casinos which offer American roulette, there is an added betting spot called the “five numbers” bet.

French Roulette

The game’s history can be traced back to its roots in France. Being a Parisian game by blood, it is rightful for the French to have their own version of this exciting casino game. Thus, the French roulette comes into view.

The wheel of the French roulette is basically the same with the European’s. The only difference is on the layout of the table and the bets. For example, the French game has the so-called “La Partage” bet wherein players get half of their bets back in case the ball lands in the zero slot.

Remember that the zero is where the house makes its earning? The “La Partage” is the reason why French roulette tables are not that common in brick and mortar casinos. Online roulette casinos, however, offer this kind of game.

No-Zero Roulette

When you’re looking for that roulette game which has the smallest house edge, this special variant of online roulette game is for you. The No-Zero Roulette is rare to find as only a handful of casino websites has this to offer.

As the name suggests, the No-Zero roulette has no zeroes both in the wheel and on the table. This means that there’s literally no casino advantage poised against the player.

California Roulette

Las Vegas, despite what everyone knows, is not that lenient when it comes to gambling. California, to which the gambling capital of the world lies in its jurisdiction, has a law that only permits games of skill, like card games, to be played. This situation slashes off roulette, which is a game based on pure chance and luck, out from the gambling scene.

Californians, however, just love the excitement and fun brought by the wheel and so devised a way to skirt the laws. They made their own version, the California Roulette.

Basically, instead of wheels with slots, the Californian variant features cards that are numbered from 1 through 36 plus the single zero and the double zero.

Players bet just like in an ordinary roulette game. The croupier spins the wheel and when the wheel stops, he will then remove the card and show it to the players. Winning bets are then paid out accordingly.

Are the odds of winning the same across all variants?

No. This is because the number of slots is different for each roulette versions. Quick example: a straight up bet in European roulette has the odds of 36 to 1. The same bet done in an American wheel is higher at 37 to 1 chance.

Can I get to play these roulette variations from a single account?

Absolutely! As long as your online roulette casino offers the above-mentioned variations, you can just switch between roulette styles without the need of making a new account.

 

The Roulette House Edge Explained & Why The House Can’t Stop You From Winning

Casino games, like Roulette, Blackjack, or Poker, are often considered as games of “unequal chance.” The reason is that its nature and structure generally leans towards the advantage of the House or the casino establishment.

Popularly known as the House Edge, this is how an online casino website or a brick and mortar casino make their profits. To put it simply, this is the casino’s average earning from a player’s bet. As a casino player, it is a must that he or she must first learn the house advantage before spinning the wheel or be dealt with cards.

For any game, the house has a small profit percentage built into it. This could range from less than 1% for some card games like Blackjack to more than a whopping 7% in Caribbean Stud.

It’s good to know that Roulette falls in the mid-range when it comes to casino house edge. Talking about roulette online game, it must be noted that there’s basically two major versions of it: the European roulette and the American roulette. (In this article, we first give our reasons why you should be on the lookout for the Old Continent). But for the sake of discussion, we include the third variant, the French roulette.

For a quick look, these are the base house edge percentages for each of the roulette game:

  • US Roulette – 5.26%
  • European Roueltte – 2.7%
  • French Roulette – 1.35%

Our dear readers (who are probably new to the game) may ask, why is there a big gap in house edge between the two popular kinds of table? The fact of the matter is, the American has an extra “double zero” aside from the single zero in the wheel, and that almost double up the casino house edge. In this case, all bets on the even and on the 1/3rd numbers would lose for twice the chance (in the single zero and in the double zero).

An example layout of an American roulette table

To beat the house edge on roulette, the golden rule here is to stay away from the American wheel variant and look for that good old European one.

A roulette table with casino players

It’s also worth mentioning that players can take advantage on the French roulette house edge, which is obviously the lowest of the three. This is due to the additional game rule called “Le Partage.” To better illustrate this point, when a ball lands on a zero, players who put their money on an outside even bet will be given back half of their bet. This puts the house advantage down to half of the European table, which is 2.7%, to 1.35%. This game format is hard to find in roulette online casino games.

Why Play Against the House?

This is a question anyone reading here should ask. If we come to think of it, going up against the bank means a surefire lose. But such is not always the case. Even if the odds are against the player, it is still possible to win! After all, roulette is a game of pure chance and it solely depends on your luck.

But lucky or not, in this blog post, we laid out our top hand-picked tips on how to increase your chances of wining at a roulette table.