Understanding Roulette Wheels – How to Choose the Right Type

Types of roulette wheels at the casino and how to identify them

Roll up, roll up! As a part of our ultimate guide to online roulette, we’re taking an inside look at the wonderfully whirly world of the roulette wheel.

Depending on which online roulette wheel you choose, you can improve your chances of success – plus, it will make you make you sound interesting at parties.

Let’s get right to the differences between different types of roulette wheels.

Types of Roulette Wheels: Spot the Difference

Ah, the great debate: American roulette wheel or European roulette wheel? Let’s break it down:

European Roulette Wheel: The Glamorous Cousin

Know how many numbers are on the roulette wheel? Thirty-seven – going from 0 to 36, with just one green zero slot. This single-zero layout gives better roulette wheel odds, making it a favorite for players in the know.

And why is that? Simple: that 0 is what ensures that the casino gets a profit on the long run. If the 0 wasn’t there, the probability of, for example, the ball landing on a red/black or even/odd number would be exactly 50%.

Add in the 0 and suddenly the casino has a 2,7% edge over you – which is still not massive.

American Roulette Wheel: Double Trouble

If you’ve followed the origins of the roulette guide, you know that the US decided to put a twist on the classic setup and the american roulette wheel was born with 38 numbers, adding an extra green slot for double zero (00).

Why? That second zero bumps up the house edge to 5,26%, making it a bit trickier for players.

But hey, more zeros, more fun, right? Try it if you’re feeling particularly lucky!

Everything else is the same, as it is numbered from 0 to 36 and includes the same number of black and red numbers as the european roulette.

American Roulette Wheel, available at McLuck social casino
You can see the double 0 in this american roulette wheel game, available at McLuck social casino

And What About the French Roulette?

The french roulette shares the 36 different pockets plus a single 0 with the european roulette, even if there is a slight change in the way numbers are presented.

The main difference is that some french roulette games include the following rules, which can help you recover some of your coins.

  • La Partage: This one allows players that make even predictions (high/low, red/black or even/odd) to get half their coins back if the ball lands on the single-zero pocket. This way, they recover some.
  • En Prison: This rule is a variation of La Partage. Instead of half the coins placed on an even-event being returned to the player, they are locked for the next spin. If you win the next one, you get the money back. If you lose, however, you don’t get anything back.

Which Roulette Type Should I Choose?

If maximizing your winning probability is your main goal, you should play on a french roulette, but only if it includes La Partage and En Prison. Otherwise, your the casino edge will be the same: 2,7%.

When it comes to that particular number, american roulette is more challenging, as there is one more pocket (00) that will lower the likelihood of your win.

However, that is just one of the factors when choosing a casino game. Other important ones are whether the roulette wheel is live or not, the layout or even availability at your favorite casino.

And, of course, the right online roulette strategy will help!

Final Thoughts: Spin to Win (Or Just Have Fun!)

The roulette wheel is so more than just a casino staple; it’s a spinning symbol of excitement and possibility, both in Las Vegas casinos or in the mobile roulette arena. The key is to have fun!

Now that you’re armed with all this knowledge, it’s time to hit the tables. Remember, luck favors the bold – and at McLuck, we’re all about making your spins unforgettable. Happy spinning!

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