European vs American vs French Roulette: Which Has the Best Odds?

🔄 Roulette Variant Comparison

European vs American vs French Roulette

Which Gives South African Players the Best Odds?

Wheel layouts, probability per bet, La Partage & En Prison explained, and the real ZAR cost of choosing the wrong table

🎰 Play European Roulette →

• 🟢 European Roulette — The Standard
• 🔴 American Roulette — The Double Zero
• 🔵 French Roulette — The Best Odds
• 💰 La Partage & En Prison Rules Explained
• 📊 Winning Probability Per Bet Type (All 3 Variants)
• 💸 The Real ZAR Cost: What You Lose Per 100 Spins
• ⚠️ The Five Number Bet — Worst Bet in Roulette
• 🏆 Which Variant Should SA Players Choose?
• 🎰 Where to Play Each Variant in South Africa
• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

European Roulette is the original single-zero game and the variant you’ll find most often at SA online casinos. The wheel has 37 pockets — numbers 1 to 36 in alternating red and black, plus a single green zero (0).

Wheel number sequence (clockwise from zero): 0 – 32 – 15 – 19 – 4 – 21 – 2 – 25 – 17 – 34 – 6 – 27 – 13 – 36 – 11 – 30 – 8 – 23 – 10 – 5 – 24 – 16 – 33 – 1 – 20 – 14 – 31 – 9 – 22 – 18 – 29 – 7 – 28 – 12 – 35 – 3 – 26

This sequence is carefully designed so that high and low numbers, odd and even numbers, and red and black pockets are distributed as evenly as possible around the wheel. The table layout uses an English-language grid with inside bets in the centre and outside bets along the edges. Most European tables also include a racetrack for announced bets (Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins).

American Roulette adds a second green pocket — the double zero (00) — giving the wheel 38 pockets in total. This single extra pocket nearly doubles the casino’s advantage. The payouts remain identical to European Roulette (a straight-up bet still pays 35:1), but your probability of winning every bet is lower because there are 38 possible outcomes instead of 37.

Wheel number sequence (clockwise from zero): 0 – 28 – 9 – 26 – 30 – 11 – 7 – 20 – 32 – 17 – 5 – 22 – 34 – 15 – 3 – 24 – 36 – 13 – 1 – 00 – 27 – 10 – 25 – 29 – 12 – 8 – 19 – 31 – 18 – 6 – 21 – 33 – 16 – 4 – 23 – 35 – 14 – 2

Notice that the 0 and 00 are placed directly opposite each other on the wheel. The number arrangement is completely different from the European wheel — consecutive numbers on the American wheel tend to sit across from each other rather than adjacent.

French Roulette uses the same 37-pocket, single-zero wheel as European Roulette. The difference is in the table layout and, most importantly, two special rules — La Partage and En Prison — that reduce the house edge on even-money bets to just 1.35%.

The French table layout looks noticeably different. Outside bets are split across both sides of the number grid rather than sitting along one edge. Labels are in French: Manque (Low 1–18), Passe (High 19–36), Pair (Even), Impair (Odd), Rouge (Red), and Noir (Black). The zero sits at the top centre of the layout rather than the top-left corner.

Despite the cosmetic differences, bets and payouts work identically to European Roulette. The real advantage is purely in the La Partage and En Prison rules, which only apply to even-money bets.

La Partage (“The Sharing”)

When the ball lands on zero, you get half your even-money bet back automatically. The other half goes to the casino. No decisions to make — it happens instantly.

ZAR example: You bet R100 on Red. The ball lands on 0. Instead of losing R100, you receive R50 back. Your loss is halved.

Why it matters: On a European wheel, zero comes up roughly once every 37 spins. Without La Partage, that zero costs you your full bet. With La Partage, it only costs half. This cuts the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% to 1.35% — exactly half.

En Prison (“In Prison”)

When the ball lands on zero, your even-money bet stays on the table — locked “in prison” — for the next spin. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your full stake back (no profit). If it loses, the casino takes it.

ZAR example: You bet R100 on Black. The ball lands on 0. Your R100 stays on the table for the next spin. Next spin lands Black 22 — you get your R100 back. If it had landed Red 7, you’d lose R100.

The maths: En Prison gives you a roughly 48.65% chance of recovering your full bet, compared to La Partage which guarantees half back. Over the long run, both rules produce the same 1.35% house edge. En Prison adds more variance — either you recover everything or lose everything — while La Partage is the safer, more predictable option.

💡 Important for SA Players

Not all “French Roulette” tables include La Partage or En Prison — some use the French layout without the special rules. Always check the game info screen before playing. Most Evolution French Roulette tables at SA casinos include La Partage by default. Also note: these rules only apply to even-money bets. If you’re placing inside bets (straight-ups, splits, corners), the house edge remains 2.70% — the same as European.

🔢 The Bottom Line

Over 500 spins at R50 each, an American Roulette player expects to lose R1,315 — nearly double the R675 a European player loses, and almost four times the R337.50 a French Roulette player loses on even-money bets. Choosing the right table is the single most impactful decision you can make before placing a single chip.

The Five Number bet (also called the “basket bet” or “top line”) is exclusive to American Roulette. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 and pays 6:1.

The problem: 5 numbers out of 38 gives a 13.16% win probability. A fair payout for that probability would be 6.6:1, but it only pays 6:1. This creates a house edge of 7.89% — the highest of any standard roulette bet across all variants. On every other bet in American Roulette, the house edge is a consistent 5.26%. The Five Number bet is the single exception, and it’s even worse.

Our advice: never place this bet. If you want to cover 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, you’re better off placing individual straight-up bets on each number — the house edge on each will be the standard 5.26%.

1st Choice: French Roulette (If Available)

The best mathematical deal in roulette. On even-money bets, the 1.35% house edge means your money lasts almost twice as long as at a European table. Ideal for players using progressive strategies like Martingale, Fibonacci, or D’Alembert. Confirm La Partage is active before you start playing.

2nd Choice: European Roulette (The Default)

The most widely available variant at SA online casinos. The 2.70% house edge applies equally to all bets, making it straightforward and fair. If French Roulette isn’t available — or you’re placing inside bets where La Partage doesn’t apply — European is your best option. It works well with all strategies, including coverage systems like the James Bond, 7-Corner, and 64% Coverage.

Avoid: American Roulette

There is no strategic reason to play American Roulette if European or French is available. You get the same payouts with nearly double the house edge. The only exception: you’re at a physical casino and American Roulette is the only table with an open seat. Online, there is always a European or French table available — use it.

What is the main difference between European and American Roulette?

The wheel. European Roulette has 37 pockets with a single zero, while American Roulette has 38 pockets with both a single zero and a double zero. That extra pocket increases the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26% while all payouts remain identical. You win less often on an American wheel for exactly the same reward.

What is the La Partage rule?

La Partage is a French Roulette rule that returns half your even-money bet when the ball lands on zero. If you bet R100 on Red and zero hits, you get R50 back instead of losing the full amount. This rule halves the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% to 1.35%.

What is the En Prison rule?

En Prison is an alternative to La Partage found at some French Roulette tables. When zero hits, your even-money bet stays on the table for the next spin. If your bet wins on the re-spin, you get your full stake back (but no profit). If it loses, the casino takes it. Over the long run, En Prison produces the same 1.35% house edge as La Partage.

Why would anyone play American Roulette?

At land-based casinos, it may be the only table available — especially in North America. Online, there’s no good reason. European and French tables are always accessible at SA casinos and offer strictly better odds. Some players choose American Roulette out of habit or because they don’t understand the difference.

Is French Roulette the same as European Roulette?

Almost. Both use the same 37-pocket, single-zero wheel. The differences are the table layout (French uses French-language labels and a symmetrical design) and the La Partage / En Prison rules, which reduce the house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%. On inside bets like straight-ups and corners, the house edge is identical at 2.70%.

What is the Five Number bet and why should I avoid it?

The Five Number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 on an American Roulette table. It pays 6:1 but has a house edge of 7.89% — the worst of any standard roulette bet. It’s the only bet in roulette with a different house edge to all other bets on the same table. Never place it.

Do betting strategies work differently on each variant?

All strategies work the same mechanically, but perform better on lower house-edge variants. Progressive systems like Martingale and Fibonacci last longer and recover losses more effectively on French Roulette (1.35%) than American (5.26%). Coverage strategies benefit equally from the improved odds on European/French wheels. See our Roulette Strategy Guide for all 7 systems.

Can I play French Roulette online in South Africa?

Yes. French Roulette is available at several SA casinos including 10Bet, Betshezi, and YesPlay. Look for Evolution’s French Roulette in the live casino lobby — it includes La Partage by default.

18+ Only. Online gambling can be addictive and harmful if not controlled. Winners know when to stop. Set time and spending limits before you play. For help, contact the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation: 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp 076 675 0710.