Roulette is one of the most recognizable games in the gambling industry. The red and black wheel was introduced to players in Monte Carlo in the early 18th century. Ever since, it has been grabbing the attention of savvy gamblers worldwide.
Debates have been had about the strategic merit of roulette players. But, what is an even more fiercely debated topic is the comparison between American and French roulette. Today, many gamblers don’t even realize that there are two distinct categories of the game.
That is why we are here. In this article, we would like to go over both versions of the game, and discuss the pros and cons of either. At the end, we hope that you can make your own mind up before playing online roulette at Novibet, as to which version you might prefer.
French Roulette
French roulette is often called European roulette. However, there are those that claim these are two distinct versions of the game. Regardless, most players seem to consider them the same, so we will be using the terms interchangeably. The French version arose in Monte Carlo and in Paris, and many have taken to calling it “the original roulette.”
The French roulette board is the one that most are familiar with; a wooden circle, decorated with black and red pockets. There are 18 pockets of each color, totaling to 36. Of course, there is also the additional green pocket, of which there is only one. The additional pocket is often labeled 0. So, what makes French roulette a hit?
For most people, French roulette is alluring because of its simplicity. The game takes little skill to play. In fact, even Albert Einstein famously said that no strategy can help you win at roulette. But, when strategy flies out of the window, luck is all that is left. For most gamblers, that chance-based gameplay is a big draw, as they don’t have to worry about improving their skills.
American Roulette
In terms of gameplay, American roulette is no different than the European version of the game. The croupier spins the wheel, and players make their bets. However, the differences take shape in the wheel’s appearance and design. While the visual difference might not be obvious at first, savvy gamblers will certainly notice it without a second glance.
The American roulette wheel has 18 red and 18 black pockets, just like its French counterpart. However, there are two additional green pockets, labeled 0 and 00. In other words, the American wheel has 38 pockets in total, rather than the French’s 37. Some might not really view this as a big deal. But, this changes the game drastically.
Whereas French roulette has a relatively low house edge of around 2.7%, the American’s is almost double, at 5.3%. Because of this, many players prefer to sit at French roulette tables, rather than American ones. Still, there are those that like to play against the odds, hoping to eventually get a larger slice of pie.
