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Roulette - American or French?

Posted by: SharpGambler on Wed, 02 May 2007 12:00:44 (665 Reads)

Most online casinos have several variations of the game of roulette. In this article we will concentrate on the two most known versions of the game - American and French Roulette. Understanding the odds on both games is crucial for effective play.

Although it may seem that deciding which type of roulette to play is only a matter of personal taste, I will give you a proof that it is not. In fact knowing well the rules attached to each version allow us to decide to play a version that completely outplays another in terms of odds and payout.

I will concentrate here on two versions of roulette: American Roulette and French Roulette. I will assume here that you know roulette basic rules, and the different type of bets you can place at a roulette table. My goal here is only to make a distinction between American and French roulettes. So, at this point you know that American Roulette has 38 numbers, 36 plus single zero and double zero. The first distinction between American and French Roulettes is on this point. The French Roulette does not have a double zero. Because the odds are the same on both versions of the game, it is clear that payout at French Roulette is higher. Both roulettes pay 35:1 on a straight bet but probabilities are 1 to 38 at American Roulette and 1 to 37 at the French version. If you look at the table bellow you can see that a straight bet has a payout of 94.74% at American Roulette and 97.30% at French Roulette. The house edge is reduced to almost half on the French Roulette, meaning that you have greater chance of winning at this version.

There is also a very important difference between American and French Roulettes that arise at even money bets (Odd/Even, Black/Red bets): "La Partage" rule. "La Partage" rule states that even money bets are half returned when the wheel stops on single zero, at French Roulette. It means that when you have placed an even money bet like Red/Black, and the single zero arrives at French Roulette, you only loose half your stake. Because of this rule, the house edge is reduced to only 1.35% in even money bets at French Roulette. A clear advantage arises again on French Roulette.

The last difference is on five-number line bet. There is only one bet of this type - 0-00-1-2-3 - and it only exist on American Roulette. The house edge on this bet is 7.89%, the highest.

What can we extract from all this?

• It is evident that French Roulette is your best bet. Do not play American Roulette if you have the French version available. The house edge is much less, so your chances of winning are better,
• If you play American Roulette, do not place a five-number line bet. You are better off placing five straight bets, one at each of the numbers that compose the five-number line bet,
• If you play French Roulette, you must keep in mind that even money bets are the ones with highest payout.

The table bellow summarizes payouts and house edges for all bets available at American and French Roulettes:

AMERICAN ROULETTE
Bet Name	Odds	Return	Probability	Payout	House Edge
Straight Up bet	35:1	36	2.63%	94.74%	5.26%
Split bet	17:1	18	5.26%	94.74%	5.26%
Street bet	11:1	12	7.89%	94.74%	5.26%
Square bet	8:1	9	10.53%	94.74%	5.26%
Five-Number Line bet	6:1	7	13.16%	92.11%	7.89%
Six-Number Line bet	5:1	6	15.79%	94.74%	5.26%
Column bet	2:1	3	31.58%	94.74%	5.26%
Dozen bet	2:1	3	31.58%	94.74%	5.26%
Even-Money bet	1:1	2	47.37%	94.74%	5.26%
FRENCH ROULETTE
Bet Name	Odds	Odds	Probability	Payout	House Edge
Straight Up bet	35:1	36	2.70%	97.30%	2.70%
Split bet	17:1	18	5.41%	97.30%	2.70%
Street bet	11:1	12	8.11%	97.30%	2.70%
Square bet	8:1	9	10.81%	97.30%	2.70%
Six-Number Line bet	5:1	6	16.22%	97.30%	2.70%
Column bet	2:1	3	32.43%	97.30%	2.70%
Dozen bet	2:1	3	32.43%	97.30%	2.70%
Even-Money bet	1:1	2	48.65%	98.65%	1.35%

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