Like many other classic casino games, Roulette has flourished in the online setting. The digital adaptation of the spinning wheel has proven just as popular with players, with even more variants and themed games on offer than ever before.
But how do the odds work in a game of online Roulette? The answer depends on whether you’re playing a variety of European or American Roulette, which feature slightly different wheel designs that might look familiar if you’ve ever visited a casino before. So, to help you get to the bottom of the question, let’s explore the fundamentals of Roulette odds.
Roulette odds 101
Roulette is a game of chance with entirely random outcomes. The game hinges on the ball spun around the rim of the central wheel, with players wagering on which of the numbered pockets it might stop in.
Each spin is entirely independent of any other, so the odds depend on the number of pockets in the wheel designs and the type of wager placed.
Rather than just wagering on individual numbers, there are several different options for bets in a game of Roulette. These are divided into two major categories – inside and outside bets – which have differing odds, thanks to their differing conditions.
An outside bet is placed on broader categories such as red/black, odd/even or high/low. Because these cover a much wider array of the wheel’s pockets – 50/50 in most cases – these come with lower payouts to compensate for their higher overall odds.
Inside bets can be placed on single numbers as well as a pair, trio, set of four or set of six adjacent numbers shown on the table layout. These have lower odds as they account for a smaller fraction of the wheel’s pockets, which means they offer higher payouts on the whole.
The European wheel vs the American wheel
The major factor that shifts the odds of a Roulette game is the design of its central wheel. Roulette’s two main variants are European and American, with each of them having a slightly different wheel design.
In a European Roulette game, the wheel features 37 pockets in total, with the alternating black and red of one to 36 alongside a single green zero. The American format adds an extra pocket to its wheel with the presence of a double zero for a total of 38.
This extra pocket significantly increases the house edge, with American Roulette games having an edge of 5.26% compared to the 2.7% of European Roulette wheels. This shifts the odds more in the house’s favour and is an important factor to consider when choosing a game of online Roulette to play.
Games offered by reputable online casinos must disclose their odds to players, so make sure to check the details of any game before deciding to play.
Understanding the odds of Roulette is essential for any player. While American and European Roulette games are incredibly similar in most aspects, their different house edges and relative odds are an important factor in choosing between the two.
