European vs American Roulette: Which One Should You Play?

Roulette is one of the most popular table games that was first played in the 18th century in France. Since then, the game has undergone some changes, mainly adopting different versions with slight differences in the gameplay. In casinos today, you won’t come across just a single version of roulette but will find many versions, including various European and American tables.

If you’re new to the gambling world, it’s understandable that you might not know what the difference between these two roulette versions is, but we are here to tell you exactly what separates the two and how you can decide which version is better for you.

From the house edge to the wagering opportunities, stick around as Unibet explains the main differences between European and American roulette.

Key Differences Between European and American Roulette

There are three main versions of roulette that you can find at most online casinos – European, French, and American. While European and French roulette are quite similar in gameplay, American roulette differs, especially in terms of the pockets and the house edge. That’s why we want to explain how these two versions are different and what they include:

• Number of Pockets: If you look at the wheels used in European and American roulette, you will notice that the American one has an extra pocket. This is because in this version of the game, you can place bets on pockets between 0 and 36, along with a double zero. In European roulette, the double zero is not an option, so instead of 38 total pockets, there are only 37.
• House Edge: This feature can tell you a lot about the potential winnings you can expect to acquire when playing these games. In European roulette, due to the presence of a single zero, players can expect a significantly lower house edge of only 2.7%. As for American roulette, the single and double zeros raise the house edge to 5.26%, which means that you’re less likely to win at a regular pace.
• Table Layout: The layout of the table in both versions is the same, with the only difference being that the American tables have the ‘0’ and ’00’ at the top of the betting grid. In European roulette, the single zero will be the only option on the grid.
• Gameplay Rules: The rules of the game are quite simple. You make your bets and see the dealer spin the wheel. Where the ball lands is the winning pocket, and if you’ve placed your bet on the table in the same pocket or region, you win. In both versions, you can choose to bet on a number, colour, or group.

Sometimes, the European version of the game can include two special rules, which are generally more common for French tables but still used on regular European tables. Those are the En Prison and La Partage rules, which allow you to get half of your bet back in specific cases or when the ball lands on the zero.

Besides these two rules, you can also find various other versions of the tables at online casinos. Some include multiple wheels, even multiple balls, along with other side bets. You can also wager while random multipliers drop, or you can bet on mini roulette wheels and speed roulette. All of these options and even more are available at Unibet, so check out our lobby to find out more!

How to Choose the Best Roulette Table for Your Style?

Your betting style can help you decide exactly which table you should focus on. The two main options at Unibet are to wager on video roulette tables and live casino tables. In video roulette, you play against a computer. In live roulette games, you play against other players with a real human croupier, watching the gameplay unfold right in front of your eyes, thanks to live streaming technologies.

Besides choosing between video and live dealer roulette, you have to decide whether you’re playing for rewards or are willing to take some risks. Players looking to keep things on the safe side are better off playing European roulette due to the lower house edge. American roulette is riskier, but the excitement of the gameplay is unmatched.

You also have to think about playing for entertainment or to show off your skills. If your goal is to have a little fun, you’re better off focusing on European roulette, as the risks are lower and the wagering options are simpler. American roulette is less forgiving, so wagering real money without having any skill can be risky.

Nevertheless, roulette is a rewarding and entertaining game that usually relies solely on chance. There’s no way to tell where the ball will land, but it’s wise to develop a wagering strategy before you get started. If you just pick any number to make bets, you might unintentionally be ruining your chances of winning. Watch the gameplay for a few rounds, try to notice patterns, and then start making real money wagers.

Play European and American Roulette at Unibet

Unibet is an online casino that has been operational for nearly three decades and has a library with over 4,000 casino games. Among them, you can find a total of 80 roulette tables that are readily available for your wagers. We have around a dozen European tables powered by Evolution and Real Dealer Studios, along with a few American versions by Evolution and Pragmatic Play Live.

Which table you choose depends entirely on your preference. However, we recommend checking the wagering limits to ensure they are a good fit for your budget. Then, consider testing the gameplay in demo mode to see how things work before wagering real money. Only when you are certain you fully understand the gameplay should you consider wagering larger amounts of cash in hopes of landing a potential big win