Variations of roulette: An article discussing the best variations of roulette and how to play them
Roulette is one of the most popular casino games. The basic game is pretty simple. There is a wheel with numbered slots from 1 to 36, plus one or two zero slots. After spinning the wheel, players place bets on where the little white ball will land. The many betting options provide chances for big payouts if you guess right!
Classic Roulette
European Roulette is the classic version. The wheel has the numbers 1-36 in red and black, plus a single green 0 slot. Place chips on the table to start betting on number(s), color (red/black), odd/even, low/high, and more. Red/black and odd/even pay even money.
Straight-up bets on a single number have the biggest payouts but are very hard to hit. Once you place your bets, the dealer spins the wheel and ball. If the ball lands on your bet, you win! Try it out on your next online casino trip.
American Roulette
American Roulette has an extra green 00 slot on the wheel compared to the European style. This gives the house a larger edge. Other than that extra 00, the game plays just the same. Place your wagers, rotate the wheel and ball, and hope for the best! Some bets, like red or black, have better odds without that 00 to mess things up.
French Roulette
Players play French roulette on a European-style wheel without the 00. However, it has two specific rules that make it more player-friendly:
The En Prison Rule: If the ball lands on 0, you don’t automatically lose even-money bets like red or black. Instead, those bets get “imprisoned” and can win on the next spin.
La Partage Rule: If the ball lands on 0, you only lose half your even-money bet instead of the full amount.
These rules cut down the house edge on even bets.
Multi-Wheel Roulette
Some casinos offer multi-wheel or triple roulette, in which you bet on three wheels or tables at a time. This ups the pace and excitement, but the house edge remains the same as in standard roulette. Bet the same across all boards, or mix it up for more chances to win!
Mini or Poly Roulette
Mini roulette uses a smaller wheel with fewer numbers (usually 1–12 plus a 0). The payouts on each bet are lower, but your chances of hitting any specific number go up. There’s usually just a single green 0 slot, like European roulette.
Double Ball Roulette
As wild as it sounds, some games use two balls instead of one! Each spin has two separate winners. You can bet on where either ball will land, or for a huge payout, call both balls! With two balls in motion, the game moves faster and has more action.
Progressive Jackpot Roulette
Some roulette games offer linked progressive jackpots that grow bigger with every bet made. To win it, you usually need to hit a specific betting combination, like five numbers, all in one spin. Progressive jackpot totals can climb into the millions!
No-Zero Roulette
As the name suggests, the wheels in this variant have no 0 or 00 slots at all. Just the numbers 1 through 36. With no green slots supporting the house, the edge shifts heavily in favor of players. While no-zero games are uncommon, they are not impossible to find.
So next time you visit a casino, give one of these thrilling roulette variants a spin! Beyond the classic game, there are many different styles to choose from. Who knows? With a little luck, you could be the next big winner!
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