Roulette strategies
There are two types of roulette tables. The American Roulette table that has 38 numbers including zero and double zero. And then there is the French or European roulette table has 37 numbers (missing the double zero). Online casinos often have both versions; always play the single zero roulette as this is more favourable to the player.
In the below chart you can see the advantage in house edge for double zero roulette compared to single zero.
| Single zero | Double zero | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet | Payoff | House edge | House edge |
| Any one number | 35:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Red/Black/Odd/Even | 1:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| 1-18 and 19-36 | 1:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| "1st 12" | 2:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| "2nd 12" | 2:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| "3rd 12" | 2:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Two number combo | 17:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Three number combo | 11:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Four number combo | 8:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Six number combo | 5:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
Rules
Both of the below rules benefit the player and will reduce the house advantage with about half.
En prison rule - This is an even money bet (Red, Black, Odd, Even, 1?18, 19?36) that results in a spin of zero becomes imprisoned. If this imprisoned bet wins on the next spin, the original bet is released and returned to the player. Used mostly on European Roulette tables.
En prison surrender rule - Also an even money bet, player will only lose half of his bet on a spin of zero or double zero. Used mostly on double zero Roulette wheels in Atlantic City.
Roulette strategies
- Look for roulette tables with the "En prison rule" and "En prison surrender rule" and take advantage of those bets.
- Look for single zero Roulette tables.
- Try to avoid the double zero game, if you only find double zero games look for the "En prison surrender rule", or else, consider playing some other casino game.
- Avoid making a five number bet on a double zero table.
