European Roulette

How to Play and Win European Roulette

European Roulette is one of the most widely played versions of the game, both in land-based casinos and online. Its main appeal comes from its lower house edge—just 2.63%—giving players better long-term winning potential compared to the American variant. If you’re new to table games, you can also explore our full guide to online casino games.

The European wheel contains 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 (alternating red and black) plus a single green zero. To win, you must correctly predict the pocket where the ball will land after the croupier spins the wheel in one direction and sends the ball rolling in the opposite direction.

Game Rules

Playing European Roulette online is simple. Once you place your chips on the betting layout, select “Spin” to start the round. After the result, you can choose “Rebet” to repeat the same wager or “Clear Bets” to start fresh.

In a land-based casino, the process is slightly more structured. A typical roulette table has four staff members: two croupiers who manage bets and spin the wheel, a table-end assistant, and a game supervisor. A roulette table usually hosts between one and eight players.

The croupier announces “Place your bets” to open the round. Players can then place any of the legal wagers described below. When the wheel is nearly done spinning, the dealer calls “No more bets!” and all further wagers are rejected. After the ball settles into one of the 37 pockets, losing bets are collected and winning bets are paid.

For a complete overview of roulette variants, strategies and payouts, visit our guide to online roulette.

Different Wagers You Can Place

European Roulette includes two major bet categories: inside bets, placed on individual numbers or small groups, and outside bets, which cover larger sets of numbers. Payouts and winning odds vary dramatically, so players should understand the structure before placing chips.

The two categories are:

Outside Bets – safer bets covering broader number ranges.
Inside Bets – riskier bets covering fewer numbers but offering higher payouts.

Outside Bets

Low/High: Bet on numbers 1–18 (Low) or 19–36 (High). Pays 1:1.
Odd/Even: Wager on all odd or all even numbers. Pays 1:1.
Red/Black: Bet on all red or all black numbers on the layout. Pays 1:1.
Dozens: Choose between 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. Pays 2:1.
Columns: Bet on one of the three vertical columns. Pays 2:1.

Inside Bets

Straight-Up: Bet on a single number, including 0. Pays 35:1.
Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line between them. Pays 17:1.
Street: Bet on a row of three numbers. Pays 11:1.
Corner: Bet on four numbers meeting at one intersection. Pays 8:1.
Line Bet: Bet on six numbers (two adjacent rows). Pays 5:1.

The “En Prison” Rule

European Roulette offers a unique advantage on even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low). If the ball lands on 0, the “en prison” rule may apply, depending on the casino:

Hamburg Rule: Player receives half their bet back.
Berlin Rule: Bet is “locked” until the next spin. A win releases it; another 0 results in a loss.

These variations reduce the house edge even further, making European Roulette one of the most player-friendly table games available.

Roulette Odds, RTP and Strategy

Although roulette is a game of chance, understanding RTP and house edge helps you choose smarter bets. The European version has an RTP of about 97.37%, meaning you lose slower over time compared to American Roulette.

If you want to understand how RTP works across all casino games, read our full guide: RTP Explained for US Players.

For players using bonuses, remember that roulette often contributes differently toward wagering requirements. Always review the terms before wagering bonus money on table games.