The house edge for European Roulette stands at 2.70%, impacting all bets on the 37-sector wheel. This means for every 100 units wagered on this variant, statistically, 2.70 units are retained by the casino over the long term. French Roulette with La Partage, however, reduces this edge on even-money bets to 1.35%.
In contrast, American Roulette presents a higher house edge of 5.26% due to the inclusion of a double zero (00) across its 38 sectors. This amplified edge is consistent across all bet types placed on this variant. The European Roulette wheel, with its single zero, maintains a consistent RTP of 97.30% for all wagers.
A significant outlier is the American Roulette Five Number Bet, which carries an exceptionally high house edge of 7.89%. This bet covers sectors 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, and its payout of 6:1 for five sectors is less favourable than standard outside bets. Players should note this specific bet's disadvantageous mathematical standing.
rules, odds and strategy
What Outside Bets with 1:1 Actually Pay
Outside bets such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1-18/19-36 on European or French Roulette typically pay 1:1. This means a bet of €10 would return €20, consisting of the original stake and €10 in winnings. These bets cover 18 numbers each on the 37-sector wheel. French Roulette with La Partage offers a refund of 50% on these even-chance bets if the ball lands on zero.
The RTP for these even-money bets on European Roulette is 97.30%, resulting in a house edge of 2.70%. For French Roulette with La Partage, the RTP increases to 98.65% on these specific bets, effectively halving the house edge to 1.35%. This rule applies solely when the ball lands on the '0' sector.
American Roulette offers similar 1:1 payouts for outside bets, but the presence of the double zero (00) elevates the house edge to 5.26%. Consequently, the RTP for these bets on the American variant is 94.74%. This difference highlights the advantage of playing European or French Roulette for players prioritizing a lower house edge.
Betting Window Missed: What Happens to the Chip
On most European and French Roulette variants, if a player places a bet and the betting window closes before the chip is accepted, the bet is typically cancelled. The chip remains on the table and is returned to the player's balance. This ensures fairness and prevents players from betting on outcomes already determined.
This rule applies across standard European Roulette with its 37 sectors and French Roulette variants. For example, on Auto Roulette Classic 1 Live, which features an automatic wheel, any bets placed after the betting round closes are voided. The RTP remains at 97.30% for valid bets on this game.
While standard practice, specific casino or table rules might occasionally differ, though it is rare. The Blaze Roulette by Authentic Gaming, for instance, follows this convention, with its live host operating within specific broadcast hours of 19:00 to 01:00 CEST. Bets placed outside the active betting period are not processed.
36 Instead of 37: The Math Behind 35:1
The standard payout for a 'Straight Up' bet, which is a wager on a single number, is 35:1. This payout structure is based on the expectation of landing on one of 36 possible outcomes, as found on a European Roulette wheel. A €10 bet at 35:1 would return €360 (€350 winnings plus the €10 stake).
However, European Roulette actually features 37 sectors, including a single zero (0). This extra sector introduces a house edge of 2.70%. If the payout truly reflected 37 possible outcomes, the odds would be closer to 36:1, making the game less profitable for the casino. The 35:1 payout is a historical standard.
The American Roulette wheel, with its 38 sectors (including 0 and 00), also typically pays 35:1 for a straight bet. This results in a significantly higher house edge of 5.26%. The mathematics behind the 35:1 payout, when applied to a 38-sector wheel, creates an even greater disparity between the true odds and the payout rate.
How Much Balance Covers 50 Rounds?
To cover 50 rounds of European Roulette with a minimum bet of €0.10 per round, a player would need a balance of at least €5.00. This calculation is based on the lowest available bet of €0.10 multiplied by 50 rounds, equating to 50 x €0.10 = €5.00. This assumes only minimum bets are placed.
Considering a more typical bet of €1 on European Roulette for 50 rounds, a balance of €50.00 would be required. This scenario involves 50 x €1.00 = €50.00. If playing Mega Roulette from Pragmatic Play Live, which allows bets up to €2,000, the potential balance needed would vary significantly based on bet size.
For American Roulette, the minimum bet is often similar, so 50 rounds at €0.10 would still require €5.00. However, the higher house edge of 5.26% means that statistically, a larger balance might be depleted faster over extended play compared to European or French Roulette variants. The RTP for American Roulette is 94.74%.
Roulette bet types at a glance
Bet
Payout
Win Chance
Numbers Covered
House Edge
Roulette Amerikanisch – Five Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3)
Five Number 6:1 (deckt 5 von 38 Sektoren)
92.11%
Einzige Wette am amerikanischen Rad mit Edge über 5,26% – „Fallenwette“. Kein Äquivalent am europäischen Rad
7.89%
Roulette Französisch, innere Einsätze (La Partage gilt nicht)
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1
97.30%
Rad gleich (37 Sektoren), aber La Partage/En Prison gilt nicht für innere Einsätze – Edge bleibt europäisch
2.70%
Roulette Europäisch (einfache Null, 37 Sektoren)
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1, Rot/Schwarz 1:1, Odd/Even 1:1, 1-18/19-36 1:1
97.30%
37 Sektoren (1–36 + 0); Auszahlungen wie für 36 Sektoren – daher konstanter Edge auf ALLE Wetten
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1, Rot/Schwarz 1:1
94.74%
38 Sektoren (1–36 + 0 + 00); Auszahlungen wie beim europäischen Rad, aber der zusätzliche Sektor verdoppelt den Hausvorteil
5.26%
Roulette Französisch mit La Partage (gerade Chancen)
Rot/Schwarz 1:1 (bei 0 Rückerstattung 50%), Odd/Even 1:1, Low/High 1:1; Innere Einsätze ohne La Partage: Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1
98.65%
Bei 0 wird die Hälfte des Einsatzes auf gerade Chancen zurückerstattet (Rot/Schwarz, Pair/Impair, Manque/Passe). En Prison gibt denselben 1,35%. Regel gilt NUR für gleiche Einsätze
1.35%
French with La Partage vs European
French Roulette with La Partage offers a superior player edge compared to standard European Roulette, with RTP rates of 98.65% versus 97.30%. This difference is primarily due to the rule where half of the stake on even chances is returned when the ball lands on zero. Consequently, the house edge on these specific bets is reduced to 1.35% from the European standard of 2.70%.
The European Roulette variant maintains a consistent house edge of 2.70% across all bet types due to its 37 sectors and standard payout structure. For example, a 'Straight' bet pays 35:1, a 'Split' 17:1, and 'Even Chances' like Red/Black 1:1, with no special rules to mitigate losses on zero. This means players face the same statistical disadvantage on every wager.
The distinction between these two roulette types is significant for players prioritizing lower house advantages. While European Roulette offers a solid 97.30% RTP, the French variant with La Partage provides a tangible benefit on even money bets, making it statistically more favorable for those specific wagers by reducing the house edge by half.
La Partage Applies Only to Even Chances
The La Partage rule in French Roulette is exclusively applicable to even-chance bets, such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low. When the ball lands on zero, 50% of the stake on these specific bets is returned to the player. This rule is absent for inside bets like 'Straight' or 'Split', where the house edge remains at the standard European level.
For inside bets within the French Roulette framework, the payout structure is identical to European Roulette, with a 'Straight' bet yielding 35:1 and a 'Split' bet paying 17:1. Crucially, the La Partage rule does not extend to these wagers, meaning the house advantage on inside bets remains at 2.70%, consistent with the European variant.
Therefore, players utilizing the French Roulette table should be aware that the benefit of La Partage is limited to specific bet categories. While it significantly lowers the house edge to 1.35% on even chances, other bet types are not affected by this rule, maintaining the standard 2.70% house edge.
Even Chances 1:1 on 18 Numbers
Even chances in roulette, such as betting on Red or Black, Odd or Even, or 1-18/19-36, typically pay out at a 1:1 ratio. This means a winning bet of €1 returns €2 (your original stake plus €1 profit). These bets cover exactly 18 of the numbers on the wheel, excluding zero.
In French Roulette with La Partage, these 1:1 payout bets offer an enhanced RTP of 98.65% because half of the stake is returned if zero hits. In contrast, standard European Roulette offers a 97.30% RTP for these bets, with the house edge at 2.70% across all wagers. American Roulette has a lower RTP of 94.74% for these bets due to the additional '00' sector.
The 1:1 payout on 18 numbers is a fundamental aspect of roulette strategy, offering frequent, smaller wins. However, the presence of zero, and the '00' in American roulette, consistently favors the house. The French La Partage rule mitigates this disadvantage specifically for these even-chance bets.
Bankroll for 40x Wagering with 10 Percent
To meet the 40x wagering requirement on a €2,000 welcome bonus, players need to wager a total of €80,000. This is calculated as €2,000 (bonus amount) multiplied by 40 (wagering requirement). The contribution from table games to this wagering is 10%, meaning only a fraction of bets placed on these games counts towards clearing the bonus.
Given that table games contribute only 10% towards the 40x wagering requirement, players placing bets on roulette or other table games will need to wager significantly more to fulfil the €80,000 target. For instance, a €10 bet on roulette would only count as €1 towards the wagering requirement.
Consequently, to effectively clear the €2,000 welcome bonus, players must strategically manage their bankroll, understanding that roulette bets contribute minimally to the overall turnover. A player aiming to fulfil the wagering solely through table games would effectively need to wager €800,000 (€80,000 / 10%).
Minimum and Maximum Bets Limit Every Martingale
The minimum bet on Live Blaze Roulette is €0.20, while the maximum is €5,000. For Mega Roulette, the minimum bet is also €0.20, but the maximum is capped at €2,000. Auto Roulette Classic 1 Live has a minimum bet of €0.10 and a maximum of €2,000, establishing clear boundaries for all players.
These betting limits significantly restrict the application of progressive betting systems like the Martingale strategy. The minimum bet of €0.10 on Auto Roulette Classic 1 Live and €0.20 on other live roulette variants sets a low starting point, but the maximum bet limits prevent players from escalating their wagers indefinitely to recover losses.
For example, a player attempting a Martingale strategy on Live Blaze Roulette, starting with a €0.20 bet, would need to double their stake after each loss. However, the €5,000 maximum bet limit means that after a series of losses, the player could reach this cap, rendering the strategy ineffective and potentially leading to substantial losses.
Even Chances vs Straight: Variance Comparison
Roulette Europäisch offers an RTP of 97.30% with a house edge of 2.70% on all bets, including even chances like Red/Black. In contrast, Roulette Amerikanisch has a higher house edge of 5.26% on standard bets. This difference means that for every 100 currency units wagered on even chances, players can theoretically expect a return of 97.30 currency units on the European version, compared to 94.74 currency units on the American.
The higher house edge on American Roulette stems from its 38 sectors, including both 0 and 00, whereas European Roulette features 37 sectors with a single 0. While the payout for a straight bet remains 35:1 across both variants, the increased number of pockets on the American wheel significantly impacts the statistical advantage for the house. This disparity is crucial for players aiming for longer playing sessions.
For players focusing on even chance bets, the French Roulette variant with La Partage rule provides a notable advantage, reducing the house edge to 1.35% on these specific wagers. This feature, where half the stake is returned when the ball lands on zero, is not available on straight bets in any of the listed roulette variants. Consequently, even chance bets on French Roulette with La Partage offer a statistically superior experience compared to straight bets on either European or American wheels.
What Doesn't Count as Loss Protection with Zéro?
Roulette Amerikanisch, with its dual-zero wheel (0 and 00), presents a 'Five Number Bet' covering sectors 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This specific wager carries a substantial house advantage of 7.89%, significantly higher than the standard 5.26% on other American roulette bets. This 'Fallenwette' does not exist on European wheels and offers a much lower RTP of 92.11%.
The standard payouts for European and American Roulette are generally consistent for most bet types, with a straight bet paying 35:1. However, the inclusion of the double zero in American Roulette inflates the house edge on all bets to 5.26%, while European Roulette maintains a 2.70% edge. This is because the payouts are calculated as if there were only 36 numbers, not accounting for the extra zero.
French Roulette with La Partage offers a form of loss protection exclusively on even chance bets when the ball lands on zero, returning half the stake. However, this rule, which reduces the house edge to 1.35% on these bets, does not extend to inner bets like straight, split, or corner bets in French Roulette, nor does it apply to any bets in American or European Roulette variants. Therefore, while advantageous for some players, it's not universal loss protection.
House Edge: What 2.70 Percent Actually Costs
A house edge of 2.70%, as seen in Roulette Europäisch, represents the casino's statistical advantage over the player in the long run. This means that for every 100 currency units wagered, the casino expects to retain 2.70 currency units. The RTP for this variant stands at 97.30%, indicating the theoretical return to players over an extended period.
When playing Roulette Amerikanisch, the house edge increases to 5.26% due to the presence of both 0 and 00 sectors, reducing the RTP to 94.74%. This higher edge translates to a greater theoretical loss for players over time compared to the European version. For example, a 100 currency unit bet on American Roulette is statistically expected to yield 94.74 currency units back to the player, versus 97.30 on European Roulette.
The presence of La Partage in French Roulette significantly alters the cost for players on even chance bets. With a house edge of 1.35% on these specific wagers, the theoretical cost is almost halved compared to standard European Roulette. This reduction is achieved by returning half of the stake when a zero is rolled, making wagers like Red/Black statistically more favorable with an RTP of 98.65% on these bets.
La Partage Halves Loss on Zero
La Partage, a rule featured in certain French Roulette tables, specifically benefits players making even chance bets, such as Red/Black or Odd/Even. When the ball lands on the '0' sector, half of the player's stake on these bets is returned. This rule effectively reduces the house edge on even chance bets from 2.70% to 1.35%.
The RTP for French Roulette with La Partage on even chance bets increases to 98.65%, a significant improvement for players compared to other roulette variants. While the straight bet payout remains 35:1, the implementation of La Partage on even chances provides a more favorable statistical outcome for those types of wagers. This rule only applies to even chance bets and not to inside bets.
This mechanism of halving the loss on zero for even chance bets is a key differentiator for French Roulette tables offering La Partage. For instance, a 10 currency unit bet on Red that loses due to a zero roll would result in a 5 currency unit refund, rather than a complete loss. This feature is not present in the European or American Roulette variants, where a zero typically results in the loss of the entire stake on even chances.
Place Chip Until Rien ne va plus
Roulette, whether European or American, follows a betting procedure where players place their chips on the table layout before the dealer announces 'Rien ne va plus'. This French phrase, meaning 'nothing more', signals the end of the betting period, and no further wagers can be placed or altered after this point. The ball is then spun and comes to rest in one of the numbered pockets.
The European wheel features 37 pockets, numbered 1 through 36 plus a single zero (0), resulting in a house edge of 2.70% on all bets. In contrast, the American wheel adds a double zero (00) pocket, increasing the total number of sectors to 38 and raising the house edge to 5.26%. Live dealer games like Blaze Roulette and Auto Roulette Classic 1 Live utilize the European wheel with 37 sectors.
Within the live casino offerings, Pragmatic Play's Mega Roulette provides a unique twist. While it operates on a European-style wheel, it incorporates 'Mega Numbers' with multipliers ranging from 50x to 500x. However, a straight bet on Mega Roulette typically pays 29:1, which is lower than the standard 35:1 found on other roulette variants, reflecting the potential for enhanced payouts through the multipliers.