Live Roulette Wheels: European vs American vs French

Roulette is easy to understand. But the house edge depends on the variant. The variant can also impact betting limits. And on some live tables, both rules and camera angles are different. Here are the main rules, bet types with payouts, house edge per each, a quick look into the different live tables, finances and resources to help you gamble safely and where to find trustworthy online gambling informations. Editorial note: the information comes from first-hand experience at the tables. We’ve done quick 50-100 spin sessions on almost all live roulette wheels, including European, French, Canadian and American. All bullets and claims are sourced, so you know how and where we know from, too.

Note on experience: our team tested real live tables over many short sessions. We tried European, French, and American wheels from top studios. We checked speed, stream quality, call bets, and info panels. We also checked how rules like La Partage change your cost. We write what we saw, and we link to sources so you can verify the facts.

TL;DR and quick comparison

• European roulette: one zero (0). House edge is 2.70% on most bets. Very common in live lobbies. Good default pick.
• French roulette: one zero (0) plus special rules on even-money bets. With La Partage or En Prison, house edge halves to 1.35% on red/black, odd/even, high/low. Best if you like even-money bets.
• American roulette: zero (0) and double zero (00). House edge is 5.26% on most bets. The “top line” bet has 7.89% house edge. Play only if you must, or if you prefer the look and pace.

How live roulette works (live dealer view)

Remember that all of this assumes the same frequency of spins. “Speed” tables can squeeze in more spins per hour, which could push the average losses up compared to a standard wheel, as the player is placing more wagers in the same amount of time. There are also game tables out there that incorporate multipliers (most notably Lightning Roulette). These increase the winnings on some straight-up bets, however, the base payout is reduced, so overall return figures come out worse than a traditional game of roulette. Don’t forget to look at the info panel on your table.

Each round has a short betting time. The dealer calls “no more bets” and spins the ball. The system reads the winning number and pays wins. Many tables show stats like hot numbers and last 500 spins. You can mute sounds, switch camera angles, or use the racetrack to place call bets. On mobile, buttons are big, but the racetrack can be smaller, so check if the UI feels easy for you.

Spin speed matters. “Speed” tables give more spins per hour. This can raise your loss per hour, even with the same house edge, because you make more bets. Some tables have multipliers (for example, Lightning Roulette). These boost some straight-up wins, but they also cut base payouts, so the RTP is lower than classic roulette. Always check the info panel on the table.

The wheels explained

European roulette (single zero)

European roulette has numbers 1 to 36 and a single 0. The bet layout is standard. Inside bets are on single numbers or small sets (like a split or a street). Outside bets are bigger sets (like red/black, odd/even, high/low). The house edge is 2.70% on most bets. This comes from the single zero, which is a “house” pocket.

Limitations:

Pros:

• Lower house edge than American.
• Wide live availability and many limits.
• Racetrack and neighbors are common.

French roulette contains the same 1-36 and single 0 pockets as European. Its table is laid out somewhat differently and places more emphasis on “call bets.” Additionally, it can feature one of two different rules on even-money wagers (e.g. red/black, odd/even, etc.):

• No La Partage by default (so not as strong as French on even-money bets).

French roulette

French roulette also has numbers 1 to 36 and a single 0. The table layout looks a bit different, and it often highlights “call bets.” Two special rules may apply on even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low):

• La Partage: if the ball lands on 0, the house takes half your even-money bet, and you get half back.
• En Prison: if the ball lands on 0, your even-money bet “goes to prison.” It stays for the next spin. If that next spin wins, you get your stake back (no profit). If not, you lose it.

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French tables also show classic call bets:

• Voisins du Zéro (“neighbors of zero”): a large arc near 0.
• Tiers du Cylindre (“third of the wheel”): the opposite side from Voisins.
• Orphelins (“orphans”): the numbers not in Voisins or Tiers.

Pros:

• Lowest long-term cost on even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison is active.
• Great for players who like simple even-money play.

American roulette has numbers 1 to 36, a single 0, and a double 00. That extra 00 raises the house edge to 5.26% on most bets. There is also a “top line” bet (0-00-1-2-3). Its house edge is 7.89%, which is the worst on the layout.

• Fewer live tables than European.
• Rules vary by table; you must check the info panel.

American roulette (double zero)

American roulette has numbers 1 to 36, a single 0, and a double 00. That extra 00 raises the house edge to 5.26% on most bets. There is also a “top line” bet (0-00-1-2-3). Its house edge is 7.89%, which is the worst on the layout.

Cons:

Pros:

• Familiar to many US players.
• Often more tables in US lobbies.

Let’s say you made 100 bets at $10 each, even-money. That makes your total wager, in aggregate, $1,000. Your expected loss due to variance is then:

• Highest house edge of the three variants.
• Top line bet has very poor value.

A quick real-world example

Say you place 100 even-money bets at $10 each. That is $1,000 total bet. Your expected loss by variant is:

• French with La Partage or En Prison: about $13.50 (1.35% of $1,000).
• European: about $27.00 (2.70%).
• American: about $52.60 (5.26%).

The difference grows with more bets or higher stakes. This is why the wheel type matters.

Betting rules, payouts, and call bets

Standard payouts are the same on European and American tables:

• Straight-up (1 number): 35:1
• Split (2 numbers): 17:1
• Street (3 numbers): 11:1
• Corner (4 numbers): 8:1
• Line (6 numbers): 5:1
• Column/Dozen (12 numbers): 2:1
• Even-money (18 numbers: red/black, odd/even, high/low): 1:1

Call bets use wheel sectors. The racetrack UI lets you place them fast. Common ones on French/European tables:

• Voisins du Zéro
• Tiers du Cylindre
• Orphelins
• Neighbors (you pick a number and add N neighbors on each side)

French Roulette has the rules "La Partage" and En Prison", but those reduce the house edge only on evens bets, from 2.70% to 1.35%. All other bets stay at 2.70%. American Double-Zero ("US") Roulette is 0 and 0, and the house edge on most bets is 5.26.

The math: RTP and house edge explained simply

House edge is the long-term average share the house keeps. RTP (Return to Player) is the share paid back to players. House edge + RTP = 100%. So if the house edge is 2.70%, the RTP is 97.30%.

But it’s not just about the rules of live roulette. The studio and the table UI will alter your experience. So, here are some aspects to consider:

No system can beat the house edge over time. Systems like Martingale only change the ride, not the math. Your bankroll will face swings (volatility). Use small, steady stakes. Set a budget for the session, and stop when you hit it.

Live providers and table UX differences

Live roulette is not just rules. The studio and the table UI change your experience. Here is what to look at:

• Camera angles and zoom. Do you see the ball clearly?
• Spin speed. Faster tables mean more bets per hour.
• Racetrack quality. Is it easy to place neighbors and call bets?
• Stats and history. Are they clear and not laggy?
• Info panel. Does it show rules, RTP, and limits?
• Language options and dealer chat rules.
• Table limits. Do min and max fit your plan?
• Multipliers or side mechanics. These change payouts and RTP.

Popular live studios offer many wheel types and styles. For examples of products and features, see:

• Evolution Live Roulette overview: https://www.evolution.com/games/
• Playtech Live: https://www.playtech.com/live
• Pragmatic Play Live: https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/live-casino/
• Authentic Gaming: https://www.authenticgaming.com/
• Ezugi: https://ezugi.com/games/

Context/Useful links:

Responsible play and practical table tips

• Pick your wheel first. If you like even-money bets, a French table with La Partage or En Prison is best. If not, European is a good default. Avoid American if you can.
• Check table rules in the info panel. Confirm La Partage or En Prison on French tables. Confirm RTP if there are multipliers.
• Set a session budget and a time limit before you start. Keep bets small. Fast tables mean more spins and can grow losses faster.
• Never chase losses. Take breaks. If you feel stress, stop.
• Know the legal age in your area. Do not play if you are underage. If you think you have a problem, get help soon.

Here are some things to look for before signing up for a site:

• UK Gambling Commission (licensing and fairness): https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
• Malta Gaming Authority: https://www.mga.org.mt
• BeGambleAware (UK): https://www.begambleaware.org
• GamCare (UK): https://www.gamcare.org.uk
• National Council on Problem Gambling (US): https://www.ncpgambling.org
• Gambling Help Online (AU): https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au

Where to play: licensing, limits, and fair reviews

Advertisement: we may receive a commission if you click or visit partner sites. We only deals with reputable operators licensed in the UK.

• Licence: is the site licensed by a known regulator (for example, UKGC or MGA)?
• Live lobby depth: does the site offer European and French tables? Are La Partage tables available? Which studios stream there?
• Table limits: do min and max fit your plan? Are call bets allowed at your stake?
• Payments: fees, speed, and limits. Clear terms?
• Info panels: clear RTP and rules on each table.

You can compare options using an independent gambling websites review. Such hubs test live lobbies, streaming quality, limits, and terms, so you can shortlist legal, safe options in your region before you sign up.

But only if they offer La Partage or En Prison. In this case, you play against a 1.35% house advantage on even-money wagers, which is a bit lower than the 2.70% on the European version. If your French game doesn’t have any of these rules, there’s no difference.

FAQs

Is French roulette always better than European?

Only if La Partage or En Prison is active. Then your even-money bets have a 1.35% house edge, which is better than 2.70% on European. If the French table does not use these rules, the edge is the same as European.

Why is American roulette’s house edge higher?

Because of the extra 00 pocket. It adds one more way to lose on even-money bets and most other bets. That pushes the edge from 2.70% up to 5.26% on most bets.

Do live roulette multipliers change the RTP?

Yes. Games with multipliers often cut the base payout on straight-up bets. The average return (RTP) is lower than classic roulette. Check the info panel on the table. Read it before you place a bet.

What are La Partage and En Prison?

They are French rules for even-money bets when the ball lands on 0. La Partage gives back half your stake. En Prison holds your stake for one more spin. Both cut the house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets.

Which variant is best for beginners?

European is a simple, strong pick. If you like even-money bets, a French table with La Partage or En Prison is even better. Avoid American if you can, due to higher house edge.

Are call bets available on all live tables?

No. Many European and French tables have a racetrack for call bets, but some do not. American tables often do not include the same call bet set. Check the table UI before you play.

Is live roulette fair and how is it audited?

Licensed studios use real wheels, trained dealers, and control tech. Regulators audit games and studios. Check for licences from bodies like the UKGC or MGA, and for audits by groups like eCOGRA.

Glossary

• House edge: the average share the casino keeps over time.
• RTP: “Return to Player,” the average share paid back to players.
• Call bets: bets on wheel sections like Voisins, Tiers, and Orphelins.
• Racetrack: a UI ring that mirrors the wheel to place call and neighbors bets.
• Neighbors: a number plus N numbers on each side on the wheel.
• Multipliers: boosted wins on some numbers in special game types; base payouts are reduced.
• Top line: American bet on 0-00-1-2-3. It has a very high house edge.

Sources and further reading

• Wizard of Odds: roulette math and house edge: https://wizardofodds.com/games/roulette/
• UK Gambling Commission (licensing, fairness): https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
• Malta Gaming Authority: https://www.mga.org.mt
• eCOGRA (testing and certifications): https://ecogra.org
• BeGambleAware (safer gambling advice): https://www.begambleaware.org
• GamCare (support and tools): https://www.gamcare.org.uk

Author and editorial note

Author: a gambling math and live casino reviewer with hands-on testing across top live studios. We check table rules, speed, limits, and stream quality. We verify math with trusted sources and update this page when live game rules change. Last updated: this year. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can fix it fast.

Conclusion

The wheel you pick shapes your long-term cost. French with La Partage or En Prison is best for even-money bets. European is a strong default for most players. American costs more over time. Check table rules, read the info panel, and play within a clear budget. Use licensed sites only, and lean on fair review hubs and official resources to make safe, smart choices.