When it comes to the classic casino game of roulette, players at Jili Casino have two main options: European roulette and American roulette. While the games have very similar rules and gameplay, there is one key difference that gives European roulette a lower house edge. Here’s a breakdown of how the two variants compare and some strategy considerations for each.
The Wheel Layouts
Both European and American roulette use a wheel with numbered pockets colored red, black, and green. In European roulette, the wheel has pockets numbered 1-36 plus a single green 0 pocket. American roulette wheels have those same 1-36 numbered pockets, but also include a 00 pocket along with the 0.
This extra 00 pocket is what increases the house edge for American roulette compared to its European counterpart. On a European wheel there are 37 pockets, while American wheels have 38. This lowers the odds of any given straight-up bet hitting on an American wheel.
House Edges
The house edge is the built-in mathematical advantage the casino has over players. For European roulette, with its 37 pockets, the house edge on most bets is 2.70%.
American roulette, with 38 pockets, has a higher house edge of 5.26% on most bets.
Given the lower house edge, European roulette is generally the better option for players from a probability standpoint. The only bets with the same house edge on both wheels are the even-money bets like red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
Strategy for European Roulette
With its more favorable house edge, players should lean towards European roulette when available. An ideal European roulette strategy involves sticking to outside bets with close to a 50/50 chance of hitting like red/black, even/odd, or low/high numbers. These bets have a near 50% probability of winning and only face that 2.70% house edge.
Inside bets like straight-up wagers on individual numbers have higher payouts but worse odds. Most serious roulette players avoid these inside bets altogether or limit them to just a small portion of their overall bets.
Strategy for American Roulette
While American roulette has worse odds for players, it can still be an entertaining game, especially for more casual players. The same principles apply – focus on outside bets and avoid most inside bets to minimize the higher 5.26% house edge you face.
Some players enjoy increasing the excitement with occasional inside bets if playing for fun rather than to grind out a profit.
Whether you prefer the more player-friendly European roulette or the added challenge of American roulette, Jili Casino offers a realistic online roulette experience with both variants available. Just be sure to understand the wheel layouts and adjust your betting approach accordingly.