European Roulette
European Roulette is one of the two main Roulette games found in casinos around the world. This game has a single green ‘zero’ slot and no second ‘double zero’ that you will find on the US wheel. This is the game of choice for experienced Roulette players. This article explains how the European Roulette game works, and where you can find the best games online – whether you are located in the US, Europe or anywhere else around the world.
First of all below, you will find information on why the ‘single zero’ makes such a big difference to your profits. I have included information on a variant of European Roulette, known as ‘French rules’ here too. After this, you will find details of what to look for when assessing which casinos to play at to ensure you are playing at a reputable site. At the end of the page, I have given you 2 strong recommendations for casinos offering this game.
Why Single Zero Makes European Roulette the Go-To Game
Even money bets like black/red or odd/even do not pay out when the ball lands in the green zero slot on the wheel. In the European game, there is just one zero slot, while the US game has two. This can seem like a small difference, though it has a huge effect on your long-term profits.
The math shows that the extra zero in the US wheel increases the house edge from 2.7% to a huge 5.26%. That is almost double the advantage to the casino. Experienced Roulette players need to put patriotism to one side, and choose the game with the lowest house advantage every time.
French Roulette
There is a third game format, known as ‘French Roulette’. This uses the same wheel as the European game, and includes a rule known as ‘Le Partage’. This means that when the ball lands in the zero slot, half of your stake is returned from even money bets. This reduces the casino house edge in this game to a healthy 1.3% on those bets. The reduction overall depends on the proportion of even money and number bets you make.
Kinds of European Roulette You Can Find Online
You can now find this game in several different formats. The standard game is offered by all online casinos. It includes a betting grid and wheel – with the option to ‘rebet’ your favorite patterns. Nowadays, you can also find 3D variations, often with stunning graphics and sounds. Mobile Roulette games which are compatible with iPhones, iPads and Android devices are offered at the best casinos and becoming more popular all the time.
Improvements in computers and bigger bandwidth have allowed a new generation of Live Dealer Roulette games to appear online. You’ll get to interact with the dealer in these games – which generally have higher minimum bets than the computerized versions.
What to Look For In a European Roulette Casino
Whether you are located in the US or elsewhere, there are some excellent online casinos around that have been offering Roulette games for many years. I recommend that you run through the following checklist before you deposit. This can help you steer clear of the rogues and enjoy a safe online Roulette experience.
European Roulette Casino Checklist
- Licensed Casino – You should check that your casino is licensed in a known jurisdiction. For US casinos these will include offshore areas including Antigua, Kahnawake, Panama or the Netherlands Antilles. European casinos have licenses from Gibraltar, Malta or Alderney.
- Game Certification – Look for external certification of their games. This information should be accessible from your casino’s homepage. Names of external auditors to look out for include Technical Systems Testing or iGaming Labs.
- Trajectory – Finally, I like to see several years of service. 5 years or more is ideal since rogue casinos rarely last this long without obvious signs appearing online from disgruntled players.
Recommended Casinos for European Roulette Games
These casinos are the best places to play European Roulette for US and for worldwide players.
#1 – Bovada Casino (US Players Only)
As part of the global Bodog brand, Bovada has been a trusted gambling portal for more than 10 years. They run Real Time Gaming software and offer both the US and European Roulette wheels, including a mobile-device friendly version. Get up to $3,000 in Welcome Casino Bonuses!
#2 – 888 Casino (Worldwide Players)
Get up to $200 Welcome Bonus when you sign up to play European Roulette at one of the biggest online casinos worldwide: 888 Casino. Over 100 luxury casino games – whether it’s premium online slots games or the exclusive Live Casino tables that take your fancy, they have got it all more than covered!
