European Roulette
European Roulette is the most popular roulette variant in online casinos, and for good reason: its single-zero wheel gives players noticeably better odds than the American version. In this guide you will learn the rules, see every bet with its payout and probability, and find out how to get the most out of free and real money play.
What is European Roulette?
European Roulette is played on a wheel with 37 pockets: numbers 1 to 36, alternating red and black, plus a single green zero. Because there is only one zero, the house edge is 2.70% on every bet. In American Roulette, the extra double zero (00) pushes that figure up to 5.26% while paying exactly the same.
How to play European Roulette
- Choose your chip value. Online tables usually start from 0.10 per spin; live tables often from 0.50 or 1.
- Place your bets. Put chips on single numbers, groups of numbers or outside bets such as red/black.
- Spin the wheel. The ball lands in one pocket, which decides the winning number.
- Collect winnings. Winning bets are paid according to the table below; losing chips are cleared.
European Roulette bets, payouts and odds
| Bet | Covers | Payout | Chance to win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5:1 | 16.22% |
| Column / Dozen | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1–18/19–36 | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.65% |
Notice that the zero is never part of an outside bet. That single green pocket is where the casino's edge comes from: a straight-up bet pays 35:1, but true odds are 36:1.
Call bets (French bets)
Many European Roulette tables also offer "racetrack" or call bets that cover sections of the wheel rather than the table layout:
- Voisins du Zéro – 17 numbers around the zero, placed with 9 chips.
- Tiers du Cylindre – the 12 numbers opposite the zero, placed with 6 chips.
- Orphelins – the remaining 8 numbers, placed with 5 chips.
- Neighbours – any number plus two numbers on each side of it on the wheel.
Call bets are just combinations of normal inside bets, so the house edge stays at 2.70%.
European vs American vs French Roulette
All three variants pay the same, so the differences come down to the wheel and table rules. American Roulette's double zero makes it the worst value of the three. French Roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European Roulette but adds La Partage: if zero comes up, you get half of any even-money bet back, which lowers the house edge on those bets to 1.35%. If you can find French Roulette, it is the better choice for red/black or odd/even players; otherwise European Roulette is the default pick.
Tips for playing European Roulette
- Practise for free first. Free roulette lets you learn the layout and try call bets without spending money.
- Do not chase losses. Systems like the Martingale only change how wins and losses are spread out – they cannot beat the 2.70% edge and can empty a bankroll quickly once you hit the table limit.
- Mix bet sizes sensibly. Outside bets win often but pay little; inside bets pay more but hit rarely. Decide in advance which experience you want.
- Check bonus terms. Roulette often contributes only 10–20% towards wagering requirements, so read the rules before playing with a deposit bonus.
- Set limits. Decide how much you are prepared to spend and how long you want to play before the first spin.
Where to play European Roulette for real money
Almost every licensed online casino offers European Roulette from providers such as NetEnt, Playtech or Evolution (live dealer). Before you deposit, check the casino's licence, withdrawal times and roulette table limits in our casino reviews, or compare the top online roulette casinos.