If you have never experienced a classical roulette game, the difference between American and French roulette might not be obvious to you. More importantly, you may not even recognize the remarkable differences between the house edge and the payouts.
Roulette is a game that is much more advertised than any other casino game. With the many pop culture references and entire movie genres dedicated to this game, it is no wonder that the roulette table is often the most crowded one at the casino.
However, there are a lot of different versions of roulette. By the time you realize which one to play, you may have lost a considerable amount of your bankroll. Thus, recognizing the difference between these versions is essential.
Here are some important differences between American and French roulette;
1. The Layout of the Wheel
When it comes to roulette, the layout of the wheel matters the most. It is this wheel that is going to determine most of your payouts. In different versions of roulette, different amounts of 0s accompany the numbers.
American roulette has a single and double zero pocket, while in the French version, there is only one. Because of that, the layout of the wheel, along with the probability, differs. This additional number is important as it can affect the payouts.
Keep in mind that the more the number, the lower your chances. For example, American roulette wheels have 39 pockets, while the French wheel would only have 38. So, you have a 1/38 chance of guessing the pocket where the ball will fall when playing French roulette, which is better than the American wheel outcome.
However, this should in no way pull you away from the American wheel design. Just because you have a slightly greater chance of winning on the French wheel doesn’t mean you forego the better house edge and odds that the American wheel offers. In the end, you need to decide which advantage is a must and the disadvantage you are willing to forego.
2. The Rules of the Game
A few subtle differences exist between the American and French roulette games. One of the biggest differences is related to the zero pockets. Within the American roulette version, any time the ball lands on a zero, the bets placed by players on the outside pockets are automatically negated.
However, you might still have a chance when it comes to French roulette. During a game of French roulette, if the ball lands on a zero, not every outside bet will be declared a lost one. You can still win under the En Prison or La Partage rules.
The En Prison rule allows players to win with their bets by pushing them ahead to the next spin. It basically gives them a second chance. However, if lady luck is really against them and the second spin also lands on a zero, they are declared losers, and there is no going back.
In La Partage, 50 percent of the value of the bets lost due to the ball landing in the zero are returned to the players. These players can then use these bets on another spin or walk away with the money.
3.The Aesthetics
Another major difference between French roulette and the American version is also related to how the wheel looks. On the American wheel the numbers on the wheel are arranged in different ways. When compared to the French version, these require a much different strategy.
This is important for roulette players as the order and arrangement of the numbers as well as what is placed in outside and inside rows, can change everything. Moreover, when the odd and even number groupings differ in both wheels, how you place your bets and control your bankroll can make a lot of difference.
Moreover, the way the table is constructed can also make a difference. For example, the American roulette table is smaller than the French table. These dimensions can significantly impact your payouts.
The different sizes in the tables can also impact how the dealers work and help you place your bets. In a roulette game, dealers are called croupiers. While American roulette helps you with one croupier who places your bets and operates the wheel, French roulette offers you two.
These dealers are responsible for not just helping with the assortment of chips but also creating that roulette atmosphere we all love. Thus, French roulette is a lot more exciting and faster.
The differences in different versions of roulette don’t just exist in land-based versions but are also true for online roulette. You can find all kinds of roulette online. Gone are the days when you needed to visit different casinos to find your preferred version. You don’t have to resort to traveling anymore.
Moreover, online roulette is also much faster than traditional casinos and allows you all of the comforts of the game without any interaction. If you don’t care for the atmosphere and just want to enjoy the game, we suggest you play online roulette.
Final Thoughts
American roulette is just as fun and has a similarly high payout as French roulette. However, the rules can differ. If you are looking for a game that offers a payout much more often with a lower house edge, then French roulette is the game for you.
However, if you want something that has more risk and pumps the adrenaline, we suggest you go for American roulette, which is a much riskier option. Ultimately, the game you decide depends on your personality as a player and what you hope you achieve from the game.
No matter what version you play, one must admit that the roulette game is exciting. Thus, if you are looking for a game that doesn’t require a lot of knowledge and can still offer exciting rewards, play roulette today!
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