European roulette is the single-zero version of the classic game wheel, and it comes down to one question: which numbered pocket will the ball land in? Predict it right and the payout is yours.
What follows breaks down how the wheel and table are laid out and walks through every bet you can place, including the announced bets most beginners overlook. Read it before you sit down and you will step up to a European roulette table ready to play at Hard Rock Bet Online game.
What Is European Roulette?
European roulette is the single-zero version of the classic game wheel game, played on a wheel with 37 numbered pockets numbered 1 through 36 plus a single green 0. The goal is to predict which pocket the ball lands in after the wheel spins, then place your chips on the felt to back that prediction before the spin begins.
Roulette is one of the most popular table games in any game lineup and a go-to at live dealer tables online. While American roulette is the standard roulette version, the European wheel is a great option to choose online. The fewer the zeros, the better the game is for the player in terms of payback. American roulette has nearly double the house edge of European roulette.
What Does the European Roulette Wheel Look Like?
The wheel has 37 pockets total. Numbers 1 through 36 alternate between red and black, while the 0 sits alone in a green pocket. The numbers are not arranged sequentially around the wheel. Instead, they are placed in a specific pattern spreading high and low numbers, as well as odd and even, evenly around the ring, so no section of the wheel is predictable.
- Single green zero: The lone 0 is the defining feature of the European wheel, setting it apart from American roulette, which adds a second green pocket (00).
- Alternating red and black: Numbers 1-36 switch between red and black around the wheel.
- Balanced number placement: High, low, odd and even numbers are deliberately spread around the wheel.
How Is the European Roulette Table Laid Out?
The felt is organized around a main grid of numbers 1 through 36, arranged in three columns and 12 rows, with the 0 sitting at the top. Surrounding that grid are the outside betting areas, where you can wager on broader categories instead of individual numbers.
The outside sections include dozens (1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12), which group numbers into three sets of 12, plus columns, red/black, odd/even, and high/low (1-18 or 19-36). Every bet type on the table connects back to the same wheel, so once you understand the layout, placing bets becomes second nature.
What Bets Can You Make in European Roulette?
European roulette bets fall into two main families: inside bets, placed directly on specific numbers or sets, and outside bets, placed on broader categories like color or odd/even. There’s also a more advanced category called announced bets, which are unique to European-style tables.
As one of the game games with the best odds, online European roulette tables typically offer lower minimum bets than retail game floors, which makes it easy to explore the different bet types without committing big right away.
What Are Inside Bets?
Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid and carry the biggest payouts of any single spin. They’re the right call when you want to back a specific number or a small cluster.
| Bet Type | How It Works | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | One single number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street | A row of three numbers | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | Four numbers meeting at one point | 8 to 1 |
| Six Line | Two adjacent rows of three | 5 to 1 |
On a mobile screen, placing an inside bet is as simple as tapping the number you want your chip on.
What Are Outside Bets?
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and are the most beginner-friendly way to get started. Even-money bets like red/black are the most common entry point because the coverage is wide and easy to follow.
| Outside Bet | Covers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | All red or all black numbers | 1 to 1 |
| Odd / Even | All odd or all even numbers | 1 to 1 |
| High / Low | 1-18 or 19-36 | 1 to 1 |
| Dozens | 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 | 2 to 1 |
| Columns | One full column of 12 numbers | 2 to 1 |
You can also combine outside bets with inside bets on the same spin. For example, backing a single number while also covering red, to mix your coverage across the board.
What Are Announced Bets?
Announced bets, also known as called bets, cover specific sections of the wheel rather than groups on the felt. They come from French roulette tradition and are a staple of European-style tables.
- Voisins du Zéro: Translates to “neighbors of zero” and covers the section of the wheel surrounding the 0.
- Tiers du Cylindre: Translates to “third of the wheel” and covers the section directly opposite the 0.
- Orphelins: Translates to “Orphans” and covers the two small sections of the wheel not included in the other two announced bets.
Announced bets do not change roulette odds or the house edge. They simply combine multiple straight-up and split bets into a single wager. Most online European Roulette games display a “racetrack” view that lets you place these bets with a single tap, no French required.
How Do You Play European Roulette?
A round of European roulette follows a simple sequence that any first-timer can pick up quickly. This is how each round plays out from start to finish at a game site.
Step 1: Choose Your Chip Size
Select a chip denomination from the on-screen stack. Online tables offer lower minimum bets and chip denominations than most live ones, which is ideal if you are new at the game and want to keep your bets small while learning.
Step 2: Place Your Bets
Tap the felt to place chips on inside, outside, or announced bets. You can stack multiple bets on a single spin to cover different areas of the table at once.
Step 3: Spin the Wheel
In a standard online game, hit the “Spin” button to launch the round. At a live dealer roulette table, the croupier spins the wheel and releases the ball once betting closes. You watch it all unfold in real time through the live stream.
Step 4: Collect Winning Bets
Winning bets are paid out automatically based on where the ball lands. Chips on losing spots are cleared, and the table resets for the next round.
What’s the Difference Between European, American and French Roulette?
At online games, the core differences between American, European, and French roulette come down to the wheel. European and French roulette have 37 pockets with a single green 0, while American roulette has 38 pockets and adds a second green pocket marked 00. American roulette is the standard at most U.S. retail games, while European roulette is widely available online and at live dealer tables.
French roulette is a close cousin that uses the same 37-pocket wheel but adds la partage, which returns half of an even-money bet when the ball lands on zero. As noted earlier, this is called European roulette in Las Vegas.
Both rules only apply to even-money outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) at French roulette online. It only applies when the ball lands on a zero (0).
- La Partage: You get half your even-money bet returned when the ball lands on 0.
- En Prison: Your even-money bet is “imprisoned” as it stays on the table for the next spin instead of being lost. If it wins on that next spin, you get your original chips back.
Most live and online games with one of these rules use la partage. These rules are worth looking for when you browse French roulette options online.
Play European Roulette at Hard Rock Bet game
Hard Rock Bet is a licensed and regulated online game where players in New Jersey and Michigan can play European roulette from their phone, tablet or desktop. You will find both digital and live dealer European roulette tables, with a mobile-friendly design built for play on the go.
Every session also earns Unity by Hard Rock loyalty rewards, so your time at the table connects directly to perks across the broader Hard Rock world. Sign up, find your table and place your first bet on the European wheel whenever you are ready.
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Frequently Asked Questions About European Roulette
Got a few more chips of knowledge to stack before you play? These quick answers cover practical European roulette details that beginners often ask after learning the basics.
What are the red numbers in European roulette?
The red numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34 and 36. All other numbers from 1-36 are black, while 0 is green.
What is the racetrack in European roulette?
The racetrack is an oval betting layout that mirrors the wheel order, making it easier to place announced bets and neighbor bets. Instead of hunting around the felt, you can cover wheel sections with a quick tap.
What is a neighbor bet in European roulette?
A neighbor bet covers one number plus the numbers directly beside it on the wheel. For example, a “neighbors of 17” bet usually includes 17 and a set number of pockets on both sides.
Can you play European roulette on your phone?
Yes, European roulette is built for mobile play at Hard Rock Bet game, whether you prefer a digital table or a live dealer game. Just choose your chip size, tap your bets, and follow the spin from your phone or tablet.
Are European roulette minimum bets the same for every bet type?
Not always. Table limits can vary by game, and online European roulette often provides flexible betting ranges, which is great when you want to learn the layout at your own pace.
Is there a strategy for European roulette?
No roulette strategy can change the house edge since every spin is independent and the math stays the same. Popular roulette strategies like the Martingale or D’Alembert are really bankroll systems that shape how you size your bets, not ways to beat the wheel. The smartest approach is to set a budget, favor even-money bets for longer play and treat any win as a bonus.
What is the house edge in European Roulette?
European roulette carries a house edge of 2.70% on the standard single-zero wheel, which makes it a better value play than American roulette and its 5.26% edge. When a table adds the la partage rule, the edge on even-money bets drops to 1.35%.
What is the best bet in European roulette?
There is no single best bet, but even-money wagers like red/black and odd/even give you the widest coverage and the longest playing time. If you are chasing a bigger payout, a straight-up bet on one number pays 35 to 1 but hits far less often. Many players mix a couple of even-money bets with one or two straight-up numbers to balance safety and upside.
Are online European roulette results random?
Yes. Online European roulette uses certified random number generators so every round is independent and unpredictable, and live dealer tables use a real wheel and ball streamed in real time. At a licensed and regulated site like Hard Rock Bet, both formats are tested for fairness.
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
For most players, yes. European roulette has one green zero instead of two, which cuts the house edge roughly in half and keeps more of your bankroll in play. American roulette is easier to find on U.S. retail floors, but if you have the choice online, the European wheel is the stronger pick.
