The Different Variations of Roulette: How Do They Differ?

Roulette is probably the most well-known casino game in the world. And while the game’s basics usually don’t change, various types of roulette have emerged in the past few decades. We’ll discuss the most common land-based or “real-life” and online types of roulette here, as well as explain what they are all about and help you choose which game to play.

Different Variations of Roulette Offline

Roulette at offline or land-based casinos is quite popular and includes the following types:

European Roulette: This variant of roulette has a wheel that contains 37 numbers: 1–36 and a single 0. The house odds are fairly good in European roulette, which can be found in most land-based casinos.

American Roulette: Unlike the European variant, the American roulette wheel contains 38 numbers: 1–36 and 00. This gives the house slightly better odds against the player in comparison to European roulette.

French Roulette: This type of roulette is almost identical to the European version, with the wheel and table being the same. However, there are a few rules that are exclusive to this game, known as "La Partage" and "En Prison," which actually give the player an edge. If the ball lands on 0, players may reclaim half of their even money bets that have been lost.

Multi-Wheel Roulette: Many land-based casinos offer an exciting variation of roulette in which more than a single wheel is played simultaneously, in close proximity to each other. This way, the player can make bets on all the wheels at the same time, thus generating more thrill and more winning opportunities.

Online Roulette Variations

Playing roulette online allows you to try even more exciting types, such as:

Live Dealer Roulette: Live dealer roulette uses video streaming technology, as can be seen at BetMGM Casino, for example, to give you the feeling of a social experience, like in a real casino. The games are managed by human dealers, who spin real wheels in front of the camera. You can chat with the live roulette dealer and other players, creating an atmosphere of a real game with other like-minded individuals.

Multiplayer Roulette: This type of roulette allows you to join a table with other players and to get the feeling of being social at the casino. Chat boxes below the table allow you to engage in table talk and interact with other players.

Mini Roulette: This is an accelerated version of the game, with only 13 numbers on the wheel (0–12). Owing to the smaller number of possible outcomes, the game is much faster and more dynamic.

Double Ball Roulette: This exciting roulette variant has an additional twist to the game: the dealer spins the wheel and launches two balls, spinning in opposite directions. This provides the player with double chances to win with each spin, thus creating a unique and exciting experience.

How To Choose the Best Game of Roulette

There are plenty of options to choose from, and it’s ideal to pick the one that fits your needs the best. Before you make your final choice, consider the following:

Rules and Odds: Look through the rules and odds of the different types of roulette. Also, take into account whether the La Partage and En Prison roulette rules are available, as well as the payout chart.

Wheel Style: European, American, and Mini wheels contain different sequences of numbers. The difference in the wheel layout should also be considered, as it may influence your choice of strategy and betting pattern.

The Pace of Play: Decide whether you prefer slower and more thoughtful gameplay or faster and more dynamic action. Live dealer and multiplayer roulette provide the feeling of social experience, and are a little slower, while Mini Roulette is the quickest of the games.

Finding a Game That Suits Your Style

The differences in roulette rules across variants (despite their similarities regarding odds, wheel layout, and speed) can hugely impact your overall experience and winning odds. Be sure to take these variations into account when deciding which game to play. European roulette, with its 37-numbered single zero wheel, offers the highest odds, whereas the addition of the zero in American roulette considerably lowers your chances of winning. French roulette uses the same single zero wheel as European roulette but the additional rules give the player an edge for even money bets.

Multi-wheel games also increase the excitement and potential to win but require much higher stakes. Online games, such as live dealer and multiplayer roulette, attempt to recreate some of the social interaction of brick-and-mortar casinos using streaming video and chat options. And fast-paced mini roulette is perfect for those who want a high-intensity game. Ultimately, each player must decide which is the “best” game to play based on their own personal preferences for odds, betting potential, wheel type, and gameplay.

By examining the finer points of each respective game, players can choose the roulette variation that best fits their goals, playing style, and risk threshold. This way, true roulette players will hone their experience to maximize enjoyment and potential success.