What Is The House Edge In Roulette

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.

Tips When Playing American Roulette

Of the three roulette game variants, the American roulette is the most disdained when compared to the European and the French roulette. If you are wondering why it is not as popular as the other versions, then the answer is pretty much simple: the American roulette wheel has two zeros.

Now we have thoroughly discussed in this article the big role the zero has to play on how you can make profits or lose your payroll. In short, the green-colored number in the pocket and in the wheel gives the house an edge against the player. Considering that the American roulette has two of those (European and French both have one each), it means that it drastically increases the casino’s advantage!

However, when playing roulette in online casinos, a player might be left with no other option but to make do of what’s available. So, will you just cower and let the opportunity of winning huge cash slip away or face the challenge that is brought by the extra zero of the American roulette?

An example layout of an American roulette table

If you belong to the latter type, then these proven strategies on how to play online American roulette is for you. But before anything else, let’s look at some reasons why you’re still in a good position when you play the American roulette.

The odds and payouts are the same…

Dear reader, despite the infamy that the American roulette has to suffer, the fact still remains that its odds and payouts are pretty much the same to that of the European single zero wheels.

Taking the information from this previous article, suppose we look at the player’s odd to win with a straight number, in a European roulette, it’s 2.70%. On the other hand, there’s a 2.63% chance for a player to win in the American roulette.

The payouts of both roulette variant are also identical. They both have 35:1 for a straight, 17:1 for a split, 11:1 for a street, and so on.

So, let’s dive into the tips on how to make the best out of the American roulette.

Opt for Free Demos

Give yourself some risk-free game time with the American roulette, and you can do this via demo mode versions offered by some UK casino websites. Needless to say, this will enable you to get the lay of the land while allowing you to get better grips on how the system works.

Set Stop Loss Limit

In a previous post, we put great emphasis in the importance of setting a losing and winning limit when you want each and every online roulette games to be successful. The same rules apply when playing American roulette: always play safe or else lose control of your bankroll.

Claim Bonus Offers

Online casinos are pretty much aware of the high edge of the American roulette. To compensate, these online roulette casino sites are offering special types of roulette promos for this game aside from the welcome, sign up and reload bonuses.

Given this fact, it’s best for you to take advantage of these offers as this can further help you stay longer in the game.

Go for Even Money Bets

Although the payouts for outside bets are just 1:1, the odds of winning, however, are close to 50%! Such bets are Odd/Even, Red/Black, 1-18/19-36. It’s pretty much of a grind, but unless you have a limited bankroll and luck is really hard to come by, playing even money bets allows you to have an extended play time. Of course, the longer you stay in the roulette game table, the higher are your chances of winning.

Opt for Live Games

We highly recommend, whether you’re playing European, American or French roulette, to play the game live. Live roulette uses real roulette game table and is hosted by a human croupier. Aside from having a spectacular close-to-reality gaming experience, playing online roulette live also allows you to make a close observation as to how the wheel spins and the ball bounces. Knowing these factors can somehow help you predict the next outcome.

If you’re interested as to how this strategy works, you can check out the Kesselgucken roulette betting system.

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.

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.

Is It Really Possible to Win at Roulette, or Is It Just A Waste of Time and Money?

Beginners and expert roulette players would often ask the question, if it’s really possible to win at roulette. Of course, if you are the type of player who just want to hang around in a live roulette room, chatting with the croupier or with other players online, then you would not be minding whether you win or lose. However, a player who looks for fun and profit in every spin may seriously consider his probability of increasing his bankroll.

The Common Consensus

For a mathematician or statistician, roulette is not only difficult to win, but also close to impossible to beat in the long run. Sure, anyone has the chance to win at online roulette with a couple of games or more. But even these lucky ones may admit that they cannot hold on to their profit for too long.

If there’s anyone who can speak with great magnitude of truth in this universe, it would be Albert Einstein. And he supposedly once said: “No one can win at roulette unless he steals money from the table while the croupier isn’t looking.”

What he meant by this is that, there’s absolutely no mathematical trick that a person can use to win at roulette. Remember, we always said that each spin is part of an “independent trial process;” there’s no way that the previous outcome will influence the next result.

But then again, there are some people whom you might expect less to offer a much realistic answer to the question: can you beat roulette?

The Dealers

These hardworking casino employees believe that roulette can definitely be beaten. However, strict and rare playing conditions must be factored in. For example, in a brick and mortar casino, croupiers may refer to what is called the “wheel bias.” Basically, it is the physical defect of the roulette wheel which makes some numbers come up more often than the others.

Being in the frontline, dealers are also trained to spot professional roulette players who may go beyond what the prescribed gaming rules dictate and exploit these “glitches.” They work with casino consultants who provided them with the necessary training that could help them pick out these kinds of people in crowd.

Generally, croupiers have first-hand observation on how a game of roulette goes. For them, unless luck is really hard to come by, then it’s always possible to win the game.

The Pit Bosses

These nonchalant, frigid-looking individuals roam around the casino floor to oversee how the roulette tables are going. In land-based casinos, they monitor disputes, spot violations, and even check on how the dealers do their jobs. They make sure things are running smoothly.

When it comes to the probability of winning roulette, they might swear on what the dealers have to say. As long as the players follow the house rules, there’s always a chance for them to win the game.

The Casino Proprietors

A lot of casino owners lack knowledge about the games their establishments are offering. For them, their casino is nothing but a source of income. Their main concern is how they could bring in more people into their house and make money from them. But for the big boss who likes to get his hands dirty, every game, every player, every personnel, matters.

Hands-on owners, like the rest of his crew, may also believe that anyone has the chance to take home big roulette wins. However, it would be illogical for them to invest into a business where he shares an equal chance of loss or gain with his patrons. His house needs to lock in profits on top of the gross income. Otherwise, it won’t take long for him to file a bankruptcy. He needs to earn money and this is where things get complicated.

The House Edge

So, from where the casino mine its income? The House Advantage. The game, whether it is a European roulette wheel or an American roulette variant, doesn’t pay what your bets are worth. For example, in American roulette, there are 38 numbers in total (1 to 36, a single zero, and a double zero). The odds of hitting a straight up bet would be 37 to 1. However, if the player wins, the house only pays 35 to 1. A similar case happens on other combination bets. This little, yet highly significant discrepancy is the casino’s edge against the player; this is also what keeps these businesses up and running. You may always win but it’s still impossible to absolutely “break the bank.”

Should this fact stop you from playing online roulette? Absolutely not! Because even if this is the case, “the house can’t stop you from winning.”

If you want to learn more about house edge/advantage, you can go here.

Statistics vs. Intuition: Which to Trust When Playing Online Casino?

It’s an old question that even the brightest of minds couldn’t seem to provide a definite answer: should people trust their intuition? That is, even if there’s physical data available? Translating it to online casino gambling, should a player rely on his gut feeling when making that make or break decision? In this article, we will take a hard look on whether we should trust cold, hard facts or keep an ear on that stomach-churning intuitive feeling when it comes to winning big in online casinos.

Some questions to ponder:

Intuition: what exactly is it?

It’s basically that vague, back-of-the-mind, unconscious feeling or voice that seems to whisper words like, “go for #17,” “you can never go wrong with an even bet,” or “make that bet double,” etc. A person may recognize the message but could not point out exactly what triggered it.

Are we talking about the “sixth sense?”

Definitely not. Winning big in roulette or going home with that huge blackjack pot have nothing to do with this ESP (extra-sensory perception) thing.

Does intuition always leads to good decision-making and can we learn to use it on our own will?

It would be a yes and no at the same time. Roulette, like any game of chance, relies heavily on luck and the events here are all but pure random. Given this fact, a person might be better off calling any number or placing his bets mindlessly on the table. However, a decision that is both meaningful and well thought of brings more confidence on the player in his game, regardless of the outcome.

Needless to say, to use intuition needs a lot of practice. The more time a player spends at the game, the more likely he will develop that kind of sensitivity. Take note though, that intuition is not a gambler’s tool that he can trust 100%.

Enter Facts and Data

People would say outright that research and statistics are superior in almost every aspect of life than this intangible thing called intuition. Studies have shown that companies that base their decisions on data yields 6% more profit than their competitors.

In the same vein, a player could make good use of the available statistics to his advantage when playing online casino. For example, knowing the house edge difference between a European roulette wheel and an American roulette version would certainly give the player better odds against the casino.

Can You Combine the Two?

Methodical decisions are often made after a long deliberation and so much scrutiny while intuitive decisions come up lightning fast. Scientists, however, believe that calculated decisions and intuition may happen simultaneously.

One theory explains that a human brain can quickly pick up stimuli and impulses of a present situation and then compare it to similar events in the past, creating a logical pattern in the process. It will then fire up a relatively sound judgment call. This mental process occurs at insane speed which may explain the rapid heartbeat and an upset stomach. It turns out then that our “gut” decisions are not that random at all. It has basis and it couldn’t be farther from what is at known.

Like any endeavours in life, playing casino online can be a fulfilling experience for you if you know how to combine the details at hand with what you feel at that moment.

We’ll leave you with these wonderful words from Steve Jobs: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect with your future.”

Your Ultimate Guide on Roulette Odds and Payouts (for both European & American Roulette)

Roulette is probably one of the easiest casino games that any player can get their hands on. Regardless if you are a total newbie or an expert at that, there really isn’t any big difference in the level of playing. As what we mentioned here before, playing roulette online for fun or for a living would only need you to know how to place your bets on the roulette table. Unlike blackjack or poker, there really isn’t much you can do once that little wheel starts spinning and the ball bouncing. In short, roulette is a perfect example of a game of chance.

Despite the precarious nature of the game it is still imperative for players to know roulette payouts and odds. This is important as the knowledge of this matter could greatly determine your success or failure in the game. This could also help you decide which roulette wheel you should look for the next time you play at your favourite online casino website.

In this comprehensive table below, we take a look at the kind of bet you can make as well as its respective odds and payouts in either a European roulette wheel or an American roulette wheel variant.

Bet	Payout	Player’s Odd to Win: European Roulette	Player’s Odd to Win: American Roulette
Straight (1 number)	35:1	2.70%	2.63%
Split (2 numbers)	17:1	5.41%	5.26%
Street (3 numbers)	11:1	8.11%	7.89%
Square (4 numbers)	8:1	10.81%	10.53%
Top Line (5 numbers)	6:1	–	13.16%
6 Line (6 numbers	5:1	16.22%	15.79%
Columns	2:1	32.43%	31.58%
Dozens	2:1	32.43%	31.58%
Lows/Highs (#s 1-18 / 19-36)	1:1	48.65%	47.37%
Evens/Odds	1:1	48.65%	47.37%
Reds/Blacks	1:1	48.65%	47.37%

Roulette BET Types:

Basically, there are two types of bets that a player can make: inside and outside bet. As each of the name suggests, these bets are made to where the player actually place his/her chips on the roulette table.

Inside Bets:

Single/Straight
Split
Street
Corner/Square
Six Line/Double Street
Trio
Basket/First Four
Top Line/Five Number

Outside Bets:

High/Low
Red/Black
Even/Odd
Dozen
Column

Roulette PAYOUTS

As indicated in the table, these are the roulette payouts:

35:1 – player gets back original bet + 35 units
17:1 – player gets back original bet + 17 units
11: 1 – bet + 11 units
8:1 – bet + 8 units
6:1 – bet + 6 units
2:1 – bet + 2 units
1:1 – bet + 1 unit

Roulette ODDS

Odds, in roulette, are tackled in terms of the House Edge – or the house. Roulette house edge is simply the advantage an online casino has over the player. The house in a European roulette has an edge of 2.70% (1/38), while in the American variant, it can get doubled at 5.26% (2/38). A more detailed discussion on roulette house edge can be found here.

The huge difference between the two edges is owed to the American roulette wheel’s double zero on top of the 36 numbers plus the single zero (38 in all). The European roulette wheel only has a single zero so the odds are much better for the player.

Check out the best betting systems and the best playing strategies you can use to help you win each time you play at roulette casino online.

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 1/3^rd numbers would lose for twice the chance (in the single zero and in the double zero).

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.

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.