Roulette isn’t a new game – people have been watching the spinning wheel and placing their bets on the bouncing ball since the 1700s. But have you heard of European Roulette? It wasn’t played much in America, but with the invention of online casinos like Ignition, you can play European Roulette. Roulette online is a simple betting game where players bet on the outcome of a spin. The best roulette sites offer a gaming experience similar to brick-and-mortar casinos. There is a wheel with a small white ball which is spun automatically and wherever the ball lands is the result is. Currently you can enjoy NetEnt’s European roulette online. On entering the game you’re presented with a screen showing the roulette wheel at the top and the large betting layout below.

While many will know how roulette works, a lesser known fact is that there are different versions of the game. The three most popular games are American roulette, French roulette and the focus of this page, European roulette. The differences come in both the lay out of the wheel and the payouts that are offered.

In live casinos, you need to play for high stakes to access the European wheel version of roulette. If you are playing at an online casino in a regulated state such as New Jersey, you’ll be able to enjoy better odds at smaller stakes.

This page on the European game starts with an explanation of how this game differs from the other versions, before going on to look at some of the most popular bets you can enjoy.

Next up, the free European Roulette game from NetEnt is reviewed, before finishing with roulette strategy.

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How European roulette differs from other versions

The main differences between various versions of roulette are the number of zeros on the wheel.

The more zeros there are, the worse it is for the player, as the house edge increases. The worst wheels for this are those with three zeros, which offer an edge of 7.89%.

A standard game in American roulette features two zeros, which reduces the house edge to 5.26%. However, a standard European roulette wheel features just a single zero, which sees a further reduction of the house edge to 2.7%.

For this reason, many will choose the European game over the American game, due to the simple fact that you are more likely to win.

There is also French roulette, which features a single zero, and a rule that can halve the house edge again on particular bets.

Popular bets and odds in European roulette

There are many different betting options you can enjoy in roulette. Here’s a look at the most popular of those options:

• Single Number Bets: Pick a single number and put your chips down. If it wins, you’ll be paid out at odds of 35:1, the highest paying wager in roulette.
• Split Bet: Place your chips between two numbers. If either of the two numbers lands, you’ll win at odds of 17:1.
• Corner Bet: Placing your chips in the corner between 4 numbers will see you win if any of these numbers come in. Get paid out at odds of 8:1.
• Red/Black: Possibly the most famous bet in roulette. Pick your color and if you get it right, you’ll double your stake.
• Odd/Even: Betting on whether the number will be odd or even sees you paid out at the same 1:1 odds.
• High/Low: Put your chips down on whether the number will be in the 1-18 range or the 19-36 range. Once again, you’ll double your money with this bet.
• Other popular wagers: Includes betting on individual columns (1, 4, 7, 10, 13… etc.) at odds of 2:1 or dozens (1-12, 13-24 or 25-36) at the same odds.

European roulette from NetEnt

Currently you can enjoy NetEnt’s European roulette online.

On entering the game you’re presented with a screen showing the roulette wheel at the top and the large betting layout below. The black roulette wheel looks impressive as it slowly spins anti-clockwise throughout the game – the animation is smooth and is detailed enough to easily be mistaken for a real roulette wheel.

The betting layout dominates the lower portion of the screen. Each individual number has either a black or red background (based on its color on the wheel), while all of the usual betting options are there.

Your first step is to select one of the coin denominations at the bottom of the screen. By default, these are set at $1, with the option to increase to $2, $5, $10 or $25. You can also scroll to the left and right to decrease and increase these amounts. To place a bet, you click on one of the chip denominations and drag it into place.

Having placed your bet there are four handy options to the right-hand side:

• Double all bets: Hit the x2 button to double up all your placed bets.
• Undo last bet: This will remove the very last bet you placed.
• Clear all Bets: This option will remove every bet you placed.
• Rebet: Place the same bet/s you placed for the previous spin of the wheel.

To the left-hand side there are further buttons to open the pay table, open the racetrack (for further betting options), open the statistics display and open your ‘favorite’ bets. At the top of the screen to the right you’ll find an instant display of hot and cold numbers, which might help you in your decision making.

When you’re ready to go, you’ll hit the spin option. This will see the wheel now change to a clockwise spin and the ball will now appear in play. Eventually the ball will land, and you’ll know whether you’ve won or lost.

European roulette strategy

Roulette is essentially a game of fun and there are no set strategies that will allow you to beat the game (despite what you might read from people selling ‘systems’ online). The house edge will ensure that the casino will win in the long run.

As a player you do get to control the house edge by choosing the best wheel. Keeping the edge low will give you more opportunities for those wins and could be the difference between you having a winning or a losing session.

Final thoughts

If you are going to play roulette online, you’ll certainly want to choose the European version of the game. With that smaller house edge, you’re giving yourself the best opportunity to win.

NetEnt’s virtual online game has a mark of quality around it, the impressive and smooth visuals making you feel like you are playing in a high-class casino. You can enjoy this version of the game at online casinos in Pennsylvania and New Jersey today.

European roulette is one of the best versions of the game you can play. As such, you will definitely be eager to give it a go and the good news is you can do just that right here at Roulette77’s website.

We offer you a number of versions of European roulette specifically developed by some of the best software manufacturers. But before you dive into the game, let’s look into some specifics of this version and see if they are truly something you would enjoy.

Choosing the Right Table – European Roulette Characteristics

This version of the game is in fact very popular. It’s one of the most preferred ones as well, thanks to its balanced wheel which only features a single zero. You might wonder – why is this important?

Well, it has to do with the house edge. The European version has a great house edge estimated at 2.70% - one of the best. This allows you to even leverage some strategies that could possibly land you better payouts.

As to the bets, you will deal with a pretty standard grid and available bets. The gameplay is very easy and you can play at any online casino that is worth visiting in the first place.

European Roulette’s History

European Roulette Free

European roulette itself originates in France and was developed for the sake of amusing the aristocracy.

The game featured some additional rules in its native version, but as it spread across the Old World, a standardized version became the new norm and people took fondly to it. The European version is just one of the many versions that mark the amazing 400-year history of this game today.

How Do You Play European Roulette?

This is the best part of the game. While the betting grid and wheel could look a bit complicated, you will soon find out that to play the game, you don’t need much at all. The bet sizes are actually pretty generous. So, what you need to do is:

1. Choose an amount you are prepared to bet
2. Select a specific bet type
3. Place the designated amount on a single/multiple sector(s)
4. Wait for the wheel to stop spinning so you can collect your winnings

Online European Roulette Wheel Spinner

If you want to read in detail about the rules of European Roulette, you can hop over to the relevant section at Roulette77 and study the game you love in detail. Don’t be shy to give it a go yourself!