How to play European roulette? Rules and strategies

Live Casino | 8/05/2025

This guide details the basic rules of European roulette in Switzerland, the differences with its variants and the game strategies to maximise your chances of winning.

Are you passionate about the world of casinos, but does European roulette seem complex at first glance? This guide details the basic rules of European roulette in Switzerland, the differences with its variants and the playing strategies to maximise your chances of winning. Learn how to optimise your decisions, from basic bets to winning combinations.

How does European roulette work?

European roulette remains one of the most popular casino games. Its principle: guess where the ball will come to rest after the croupier has thrown it onto the wheel. Each player then has a betting table to place his chips on the numbers or combinations of his choice. Mastering the basic rules is essential to fully appreciate this experience.

Before betting, let's take a look at the layout of the board, with its 37 squares. The 37 squares include the green zero and the numbers 1 to 36, alternating between red and black. Note that each game begins with the placement of the chips: the croupier announces «Rien ne va plus» as soon as the ball starts rolling in the cylinder.

Let's take a look at the main betting options available:

The straight number pays 35 times the bet, but with only a 2.7% chance of success
The split bet covers two neighbouring numbers, slightly improving your odds without sacrificing too much profitability
The street covers three numbers in a row - an interesting compromise between risk and potential reward
Outside bets offer almost 50% odds with a payout equivalent to the initial stake
Strategic combinations such as Tiers du Cylindre cover 12 specific numbers around zero, requiring a good knowledge of the layout of the wheel.

By carefully varying your bets, you can maximise both the pleasure of the game and your chances of winning. Remember that each casino offers subtle variations - it's always best to check the specific rules before playing.

What are the differences between European, American and French roulette?

Choosing the right roulette variant is crucial to improving your playing sessions. European roulette, American roulette and French roulette are distinguished by particularities that modify the house advantage, directly impacting your chances of winning.

European and French variants: subtle differences

European roulette and French roulette are two of the most popular casino variants. While their basic operation is identical, there are certain particularities that are worth taking into account, as they have a direct influence on the player's experience. Specific rules, winning opportunities and bet management are all elements that need to be mastered before placing your chips.

Let's take the example of the zero: its handling varies from one version to another. While the game board always has 37 squares with the famous zero, certain secondary betting options differ and slightly modify the probabilities. A crucial detail, when you consider that a simple ball throw can upset a bet!

European roulette vs American roulette

Preferred by experienced players, European roulette has a house edge of 2.70%, compared with 5.26% for American roulette. This difference is explained by the presence of an extra zero (00) on the American cylinder, significantly increasing the casino's advantage and reducing the player's chances.

While European roulette has a single zero, the American version has a double zero (00). This simple addition changes the odds and has a direct impact on players' strategies. Less favourable, American roulette is generally favoured by casinos located in the United States and in certain international establishments.

French roulette, on the other hand, offers an advantageous compromise thanks to specific rules such as «La Partage», which reduces the house edge to 1.35% on outside bets. A real advantage for those who know how to make the most of these strategic bets!

Today, the majority of online and physical casinos offer these three variants. Understanding their differences and choosing the one best suited to your playing style can make all the difference to your potential winnings. It's up to you!

Feature	European Roulette	American Roulette	French Roulette
Nmber of pockets	37 (0-36)	38 (0-36, 00)	37 (0-36)
House edge	2.70 %	5.26 %	1.35 % (on even bets with "La Partage") / 2.70 % (other bets)
Special rules	None	None	"La partage", "En Prison"
Betting options	Same as in French Roulette	Same as in French Roulette	Inside and outside bets, announced bets
Popularity	Very popular in Europe and online	Popular in North America	Popular in Europe, especially in France

European roulette winning odds

Mastering the odds of winning at European roulette is essential for any player looking to improve their results. With its 37 numbers (from 0 to 36), each spin of the wheel offers equiprobable outcomes. However, winnings fluctuate radically depending on where your chips are placed on the board. A detailed knowledge of the mathematical rules means you can adjust your bets accordingly.

Clearly, the 2.70% casino advantage remains measurable over the long term. In concrete terms, on a European table, betting on a single number gives you a 1 in 37 chance of winning. On the other hand, the red/black or even/odd options almost double your chances, but divide the potential winnings. The art, then, lies in balancing risk and reward when deciding where to bet your chips. It's worth pointing out that even zero strategically influences the payout rules, a detail often underestimated by novices.

Frequent numbers in European roulette

Casino players often wonder whether there are any preferred numbers in European roulette. In theory, each number has the same probability of coming up (1/37), whether it is zero or another number. Nevertheless, observing past results remains a common practice among enthusiasts. Some take meticulous note of outcomes to detect possible sequences. It should be remembered, however, that on each spin of the wheel, chance alone determines where the ball will stop.

While no number objectively comes up more than another, betting strategies based on recent statistics have their fans. A player could, for example, bet his chips on the numbers that have appeared in the last five rounds. But beware: the game board retains no memory of previous games. The cylinder spins, the ball rolls, and each new attempt starts the story all over again. Even if you follow the rules to the letter, no one can influence your luck - that's the charm of roulette in modern casinos.

European roulette appeals for its accessible rules and more favourable player advantage than its cousins. Unsurprisingly, mastering the different types of bets and their probabilities remains the key to optimising your games.

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