If you live in America, youve probably never seen a European Roulette wheel. You may not even have been aware there is such a thing. With the proliferation of gambling on the Internet and online casinos, you are now afforded the opportunity to play on a European Roulette wheel on some sites. This being the case, it behooves you to know the difference between the two games.

American Roulette consists of a table with a numbered board laid out on a grid. The numbers on the board are 1 through 36, Zero, and Double Zero. On the sides of the board are additional bets you can make: Red or Black, Odd or Even, 1-18 vs. 19-36, 1st 12 numbers, 2nd 12 numbers, 3rd 12 numbers, and 1st Column, 2nd Column, 3rd Column. You make a wager by putting the number of chips of your choice on either a single number, two numbers (split bet), three numbers (street bet), four numbers (a quad, corner, or square bet) five numbers (0, 00,1, 2 and 3, also called a basket bet), or six numbers (line bet). You can also of course make the side bets, on color, odd or even, a dozen numbers, or half the numbers. Each of these bets pay off on what their true odds would be if there were no Zero or Double Zero, so for example a single number bet pays 35 to 1, since it should come on average 1 out of every 36 times on a board of 36 numbers. In reality, it should only come 1 out of every 38 times due to the presence of the Zero and Double Zero. Similarly, the color and odd-even bets pay even money, the column bets pay 2 to 1, etc.

Once the bets have been placed, the Croupier spins the Roulette wheel, spins the ball, and announces no more bets after which no more chips can be placed on the felt. When the ball finally comes to rest in one of the numbered slots, bets are paid accordingly.

In European (sometimes called French) Roulette, there are two main differences. One of these differences is not very important; the other is of great importance. The first is that the side bets on the board will be labeled in French (although most likely in English as well). The much more important difference is that European Roulette wheels have only a single Zero, no Double Zero. Hence, a single bet is getting paid 35 to 1 on a 36 to 1 shot, not a 37 to 1 shot. How much difference can that one extra Zero possibly make? Plenty. The addition of the Double Zero makes the House edge twice what it is in the European version, 5.26 percent vs. 2.63.

It should be quite obvious from this comparison which is the better version to play. Since you are always trying to minimize the House edge, the European game is the best option. In a live casino, you must play whatever that particular casino offers you, but on the Internet, you most definitely do not. Many online casinos offer single Zero Roulette. If you wish to maximize your winnings, find one and try your luck there.