European Roulette: A Beginner’s Guide

Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a curious beginner, this guide is here to take you through everything you need to know about one of the most popular casino games in the world, European Roulette. From the basics of the game to advanced strategies, we’ll cover it all in a fun and informative way. Let’s begin…

The Basics of European Roulette

So, what exactly is the go with European roulette?

Well, for starters, it’s played with a wheel that has 37 numbered pockets, including the numbers 1 through 36 and a single green 0.

It begins with the wheel being spun rigorously in one direction, while a small ball is chucked in the opposite around the rim that runs along the perimeter of the wheel. Eventually, the ball comes to rest in one of the numbered pockets, and the winning number is determined.

European roulette is at its core a game of excitement and chance, but it offers players the opportunity to win big payouts with relatively small bets.

Every time the European roulette wheel spins, it’s a fast-paced and exciting affair, with players placing their bets and eagerly watching the ball spin around, hoping that their number will be the one.

So, are you ready to set sail and try your luck at European roulette? Grab your lucky charm and join the fun!

Understanding European Roulette

European roulette is a thrilling and entertaining game that offers players a chance to have a fantastic time (and maybe even place some winning bets)

By understanding the table layout, bet types, and betting process, players can improve their chances of winning and fully enjoy the excitement of the game.

As they say, knowledge is power, and this advice always rings true on the roulette table, regardless of whether you’re spinning at European casinos or online casinos.

Table Layout

First, let’s take a look at the table layout and bet types.

The roulette table is usually green and has a large wheel at one end. The table is divided into two main sections – the inside and outside betting areas. The inside area has numbers 1-36 and a 0 or 00, depending on the type of roulette game being played.

The outside area includes various betting options such as red or black, odd or even, high or low numbers, and columns.

Each type of bet offers other options with different odds of winning and payout amounts.

The Betting Process

Now, let’s talk about the betting process. Before the game begins, players place their bets on the table by putting chips in the corresponding areas. The dealer then spins the wheel in one direction and rolls a small ball in the opposite direction.

As the ball spins and slows down, it will eventually come to a stop on one of the numbered pockets. If the number the ball lands on matches the player’s bet, they win!

Roulette Wheel and Ball

Finally, let’s explore how the roulette wheel and ball work. The wheel is usually made of wood or plastic (with the fancier kind made of finer wood) and has numbered, different-coloured pockets around the edge.

These pockets are alternately coloured in red and black and are arranged in a specific sequence. The ball, on the other hand, is usually made of metal or plastic and is about the size of a ping-pong ball.

As the wheel spins, the ball is thrown in the opposite direction, and it bounces around the pockets before coming to a rest.

The pockets are designed in such a way that the ball has an equal chance of landing on any number or colour. The speed and direction of the wheel spin and the ball’s trajectory are the main factors that determine where the ball will land.

Betting Layout

There are tons of different bets that a roulette player makes in their lifetime, and for good reason.

To really take advantage of this dynamic game and adjust to different situations that may arise, you’ll need to get a firm knowledge of the different types of bets, and when to call bets for the appropriate scenario.

Inside and outside bets are the most common type of bets you’ll find used for real money.

Inside Bets

First up, we have Inside Bets. These are bets that are placed on individual numbers or combinations of numbers within the roulette table.

The most popular inside bet is the straight-up bet, where you place your chips directly on a single number. The payout for this bet is the highest of all inside bets, with a payout of 35:1 if you win.

Split Bets

Another popular inside bet is the Split bet, where you place your chips on the line between two adjacent numbers.

If either of those two numbers hit, you win with a payout of 17:1. Other inside bets include the Street bet, which is a bet on three numbers in a row, and the Corner bet, which is a bet on four numbers that meet at a corner.

Line Bets

Moving on, we have Line Bets.

These are bets that are placed on six consecutive numbers in two adjacent rows on the table.

The payout for a Line Bet is 5:1 if you win, which makes it a lower-risk, lower-reward bet compared to some of the Inside Bets.

Outside Bets

Finally, we have Outside Bets. These are bets that are placed outside of the main betting area, and they generally have lower payouts but higher chances of winning.

One popular Outside Bet is the Red or Black bet, a wager where you simply bet on whether the ball will land on a red or black number. This bet pays out 1:1 if you win.

Another popular Outside Bet is the Odd or Even bet, where you bet on whether the ball will land on an odd or even number.

Again, the payout for this bet is 1:1. Finally, there’s the High or Low bet, where you bet on whether the ball will land on a number between 1-18 or 19-36. This bet also pays out 1:1.

European Roulette Rules and Odds

There’s a lot more than meets the wheel when it comes to the Roulette table. There are many things one should know to command the European roulette wheel effectively and increase the chance of coming out on top.

Here’s a breakdown of the rules and odds that you’ll need to know to increase your chances of success.

Rules of the Game

To get started, let’s have a deeper peek into the rules of the game.

European Roulette is played on a wheel with 37 numbered pockets, ranging from 0 to 36. The aim of the game is to correctly declare where the ball will land after the wheel has spun its course.

Players place their bets on the table, selecting from a range of options including individual numbers, groups of numbers, and even or odd numbers.

House Advantage

The house edge for European Roulette is 2.7%, making it a popular choice for players looking for better odds.

The odds for each type of bet vary, with the straight-up bet offering the highest payout at 35:1, but the lowest odds of winning at 2.7%. Other bet types, such as odd or even, black or red, and high or low numbers, offer better odds of winning, but a lower payout.

Comparison to other roulette variants

When compared to other roulette variants, European Roulette stands out as one of the most appealing options for players, due to the highly appealing odds numbers that come with it.

American Roulette, for example, has an additional 00 pocket on the wheel, increasing the house edge to 5.26%.

French Roulette is similar to European Roulette but has a unique rule called La Partage, where players only lose half their original bet if the ball lands on 0.

Strategies and Tips for Winning at European Roulette

As you might have guessed, due to European roulette being around for what seems like forever, a lot of strategies and tips have emerged to play European Roulette in the most effective and profitable manner.

Here is a brief rundown of some of the most internationally renowned ones for you to have a look at and add to your own gameplay. If you’d like to dig deeper into the fantastic world of roulette strategies, have a look at our comprehensive guide about roulette strategies.

Martingale System

One of the most popular strategies for winning at roulette is the Martingale system.

This system involves whenever one experiences a loss, double the bet, with the idea that you will eventually win and recoup all your losses.

While this can be a high-risk strategy, it can also be effective if you have a lot of capital to play around with and the patience to keep going when hit with a loss consecutive times.

D’Alembert System

A very common face on the roulette scene is the D’Alembert system, which utilises a tactic of increasing your bet by one after every loss and decreasing it by one after every win.

Be aware that this strategy is a more conservative strategy that can be effective in managing your bankroll and minimising your losses.

Fibonacci System

The Fibonacci system is another popular strategy that involves betting based on the Fibonacci sequence, which is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers.

With this system, you increase your bet based on the sequence after every loss and decrease it after every win.

Bankroll and Money Management

In addition to using a strategy, managing your bankroll is essential for success in roulette. Prepare and smooth out all the creases in your budget before you start playing, and stick to it.

Avoid going after those pesky losses, and don’t ever go over that budget and bet more than you can feasibly lose. Also, consider playing at tables with lower minimum bets to stretch your bankroll further.

Finally, it’s important to remember that roulette can go any way, and luck is an enormous component of the gameplay. So, have fun, enjoy the game, and don’t get too caught up in the strategy.

Give yourself a breather if you’re not getting anywhere, take a break and reassess with a clear head.

Different Roulette Variants

There are several other roulette variants available to play. Below we have gathered our other guides about each variant of roulette:

Adaptable Strategy

When playing these variations, it’s important to adjust your strategy to account for their unique rules and features.

For example, when playing French Roulette, take advantage of the La Partage rule by placing more even money outside bets, to name one.

When playing Multi-Wheel Roulette, consider placing more bets on multiple wheels to increase your chances of winning.

Once again, thanks for making to it the end of the guide, I hope you’ve learned a lot about the European Roulette wheel.

References

• Wikihow. “Practice Roulette Strategy”, https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Roulette-Strategy