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Roulette has three basic variants β European, American and French. To the uninitiated player, they look similar: round wheel, dealer, chips, betting field with numbers. The difference is in two details (the number of green squares and the special rules at zero), but these details determine how much the casino will take from you in the long run. We're talking a range of 1.35% to 5.26% of the house edge - that's almost four times the difference between the best and worst case.
This article breaks down all three variants with an Philippines context: which are available in the live casinos Tipsport, Fortuna, Sazka, SYNOTtip and Chance, how exactly the special rules of la partage a en prison work and how much you lose on β¬ turnover in each of them. For a broader view of the casino advantage in other table games (blackjack, baccarat, poker variants), we recommend the article house edge in live casino games .
European roulette β Philippines standard
The most common variant on Philippines licensed sites:
- 37 numbers: 0 (green) plus 1 β 36 (alternating red and black).
- One green zero: zero belongs to neither red nor black, neither even nor odd.
- Casino edge: 2.7%.
- Payout per direct number: 35:1.
- Payout for red/black, even/odd, small/large: 1:1.
European Roulette is the default variant wherever not otherwise marked. On the live Evolution Gaming tables (Live Roulette, Speed ββRoulette, Auto Roulette) it is always European. You lose an average of β± 3000on a turnover of β± 100
American Roulette - Two zeroes and a double loss
The main difference from the European one is the addition of a second green zero (00):
- 38 numbers: 0, 00 (both green) plus 1-36.
- Two green squares: double the chance of hitting green.
- Casino edge: 5.26% - almost twice the European one.
- Payout for a straight number: still 35:1, but the probability of falling is 1 in 38 instead of 1 in 37.
American roulette is rare in Philippines casinos. Some websites have it in the section with live broadcasts from American tables or in older automatic variants. You lose an average of β± 6000 2 on a β¬ turnover. If you find it, don't click on it - the European one on the same site will take half of it.
American special "Top Line" bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3): worst roulette bet ever. The payout is 6:1, but mathematically the correct payout should be 6.6:1. The casino advantage rises to 7.89%. If you want to make a dozen bets on American Roulette, avoid this one.
French Roulette - best for outside bets
French roulette has the same 37 numbers as european roulette in terms of the wheel. The difference is in the special rules that apply when a zero is rolled and the player bet on the outside field:
- 37 numbers: 0 (green) plus 1 β 36.
- La partage: if a zero comes up and the player bet on the outer squares (red/black, even/odd, small/large), he gets half back.
- En prison: an alternative version of the same rule - at zero, the outside bet is "imprisoned" until the next round instead of returning half.
- House edge on outside bets: 1.35%.
- Casino advantage on numbers bets: 2.7% (same as European - la partage and en prison rules do not apply to numbers).
French roulette is often considered the "fairest" option among players - and rightly so, for 1:1 outside bets. For bets on specific numbers, it is the same as the European one.
La partage a en prison - how exactly they work
Both rules have the same mathematical impact, but implement it differently:
La partage (the division)
You bet β± 500on red. Zero (green) falls. In European Roulette, the entire β± 500is forfeited to the casino. With the French s la partage, you get β± 200back - the casino keeps half. This rule also applies to other 1:1 outside bets: even/odd, small (1-18)/large (19-36).
En prison
You bet β± 500on red. Zero will fall. In en prison, the bet is "imprisoned" - the croupier marks the bet with a special token and leaves it red on the field. The game continues with the next round:
- If you land red in the next round, you get the full β± 500back (no profit).
- If black or green lands, you lose the full β± 500
Mathematically, it works out the same - the long-term casino edge is 1.35% for both rules. La partage is more practical (solved in one round), en prison is more traditional (typical of older casinos in Monaco).
Number distribution on the bike - European vs. American succession
The sequence of numbers on roulette is not random - it follows rules that balance red/black, even/odd and low/high numbers. European and French roulette use the same sequence, American has its own with a different layout due to the second zero:
European and French Roulette (37 numbers, counter-clockwise sequence)
0 β 32 β 15 β 19 β 4 β 21 β 2 β 25 β 17 β 34 β 6 β 27 β 13 β 36 β 11 β 30 β 8 β 23 β 10 β 5 β 24 β 16 β 33 β 1 β 20 β 14 β 31 β 9 β 22 β 18 β 29 β 7 β 28 β 12 β 35 β 3 β 26
American Roulette (38 numbers)
0 β 28 β 9 β 26 β 30 β 11 β 7 β 20 β 32 β 17 β 5 β 22 β 34 β 15 β 3 β 24 β 36 β 13 β 1 β 00 β 27 β 10 β 25 β 29 β 12 β 8 β 19 β 31 β 18 β 6 β 21 β 33 β 16 β 4 β 23 β 35 β 14 β 2
There are three practical implications of this layout that are important to players:
- Adjacent numbers on the wheel do not affect the result. Even if a 7 was rolled in the previous round, the chance of an adjacent number (28 or 12) being rolled in the next round is the same as for any other number. The same "no memory" principle applies to all casino games - detailed in the article how RNG works and independent audits of online slots .
- Sector bets on the European round only make sense on the French tables. Voisins du ZΓ©ro, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins (explained below) use this layout, but do not work on American Roulette because the sequence is different.
- The visual "hot numbers" (heat map) in live roulette means nothing. Some tables show which numbers have fallen most often in the last 500 spins. When betting according to this statistic, in the next spin all numbers have the same chance (1/37 or 1/38).
French call bets β Voisins du ZΓ©ro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins
On French and some European roulettes (especially Speed ββRoulette, French Roulette Gold) there are also special sector bets - so-called call bets - available. You are not betting on individual numbers, but on entire sectors of the wheel:
Voisins du ZΓ©ro (adjacent zeros) β 17 numbers
It covers the numbers in the sector around the green zero: 22 β 18 β 29 β 7 β 28 β 12 β 35 β 3 β 26 β 0 β 32 β 15 β 19 β 4 β 21 β 2 β 25. The standard bet is 9 chips (units):
- 2 chips on 0/2/3 (trio).
- 2 chips on 25/26/28/29 (corner).
- 1 chip on 4/7 (split).
- 1 chip on 12/15 (split).
- 1 chip for 18/21 (split).
- 1 chip on 19/22 (split).
- 1 token for 32/35 (split).
Chance of a number coming from this sector: 17/37= 45.9%. The average win depends on the specific number, but the house edge remains at 2.7% (with la partage, the 1:1 bets remain at 2.7%, as it only applies to outside bets). From an EV standpoint, it's the same as a stacked deck of inside bets.
Tiers du Cylindre (third round) β 12 numbers
It covers the opposite side of the wheel from zero: 27 β 13 β 36 β 11 β 30 β 8 β 23 β 10 β 5 β 24 β 16 β 33. The standard bet is 6 chips, all in split format:
- 1 chip for a 5/8 split.
- 1 chip for 10/11 split.
- 1 chip for a 13/16 split.
- 1 chip for 23/24 split.
- 1 chip for 27/30 split.
- 1 chip per 33/36 split.
Chance of getting a number from the sector: 12/37= 32.4%. The payout is always 17:1 per split (which corresponds to 2 profit chips for the mentioned 6-chip deposit).
Orphelins (orphans) β 8 numbers
Numbers that do not belong to Voisins or Tiers: 17 β 34 β 6 β 1 β 20 β 14 β 31 β 9. The standard bet is 5 chips:
- 1 chip for 1 (straight number).
- 1 chip for a 6/9 split.
- 1 chip for 14/17 split.
- 1 chip for 17/20 split.
- 1 chip per 31/34 split.
Chance of falling: 8/37= 21.6%.
Jeu ZΓ©ro (game of zero) β 7 numbers around zero
Narrow selection around zero: 12 β 35 β 3 β 26 β 0 β 32 β 15. The standard bet is 4 chips. The game gives the highest chance to "cover a small sector", but the payout is lower. Chance of falling: 7/37= 18.9%.
Call bets do not change the house edge. They are just different ways of group betting on the same pack of inside bets. Mathematically, you still lose 2.7% of the turnover (European Roulette) or 1.35% of the turnover on outside bets on French Roulette with la partage. The practical magic of call bets is in the speed of placing a bet - instead of placing 17 chips, you click one button individually. For a broader breakdown of why betting systems and sector bets don't beat the house edge, check out the article betting systems in roulette .
Comparison of turnover losses β¬
The difference between the variants is best understood through a specific conversion. The table shows the average long-term turnover loss β¬ per outside bet (red/black):
| Variant | Number of numbers | Casino advantage | Average turnover loss β¬ |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 (1 zero) | 2.70% | β± 3000 2 |
| American | 38 (0 and 00) | 5.26% | β± 65000 |
| French (la partage) | 37 (1 zero) | 1.35% | β± 16000 |
| French (en prison) | 37 (1 zero) | 1.35% | β± 16000 |
At higher turnover, the difference becomes more pronounced. Real example: 100 bets of β± 200on red= β± 50in turnover:
| Variant | Average turnover loss β± 50 | Average turnover loss β± 50 | Average turnover loss β± 200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | β± 16000 2 | β± 1000 | β¬ |
| American | β± 32000 2 | β¬ | β¬ |
| French (la partage) | β± 84000 | β± 16000 2 | β± 80 |
With a turnover of β± 200(which is a realistic monthly turnover of a regular player), there will be a difference of around β¬ between French and American roulette β this is already a difference that is worth solving by choosing a variant.
Bets and their casino advantage
The casino advantage varies even within one variant according to the type of bet. The lowest edge of the casino has several bets equally, the highest is the mentioned American "Top Line":
| Bet | Payment | Casino Advantage (European) | Casino advantage (French s la partage) | Casino Advantage (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight number (Straight) | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Pair (Split) | 17:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Column (Column) | 2:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Dozen (Dozen) | 2:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 2.70% | 1.35% | 5.26% |
| Even/Odd | 1:1 | 2.70% | 1.35% | 5.26% |
| Small (1-18)/Large (19-36) | 1:1 | 2.70% | 1.35% | 5.26% |
| Top Line - American Specialty (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | 6:1 | β | β | 7.89% |
For a mathematical breakdown of why no betting system (Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert) beats the house edge in roulette, see the article betting systems in roulette .
Live variants of roulette - Lightning, Quantum, XXXtreme, Mega
The classic European roulette has a number of "enriched" versions in Philippines live casinos. They add multipliers, bonus fields or special rounds. In terms of RTP and casino advantage, it is important to compare them with the original variant:
| Variant | Manufacturer | Basic RTP | Specificity | Who is it suitable for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Roulette (Classic) | Evolution Gaming | 97.30% | European, without modifiers | Beginner, small bank |
| Lightning Roulette | Evolution Gaming | 97.30% (same, only higher variability) | 1 β 5 numbers with a multiplier of 50x β 500x each round | Middle bank, higher pay seeker |
| XXXtreme Lightning Roulette | Evolution Gaming | 97.30% | Up to 10 numbers with multipliers 25x - 2000x, Chain Lightning, Double Strike | Higher bank, extreme variability |
| Quantum Roulette | Playtech | 97.30% | Up to 5 Quantum numbers with multipliers 50x β 500x | A competitor's Lightning alternative |
| Mega Roulette | Pragmatic Play Live | 97.30% | 1 β 5 numbers with multipliers of 50x β 500x each round | Pragmatic's Lightning version |
| Speed ββRoulette | Evolution Gaming | 97.30% | Spin every 25 seconds (classic 50-60s) | For fast play, risk of higher loss/hr |
| Auto Roulette/Roulette Lobby | Evolution/Pragmatic | 97.30% | Automatic mechanism without croupier, 30 second round | Fast solo play |
| Immersive Roulette | Evolution Gaming | 97.30% | Quality cameras, slow-motion, exclusively for higher stakes | VIP player, audio-visual experience |
| French Roulette Gold | Evolution Gaming | 98.65% (with share) | Classic French with the rule of la partage | An outside bettor looking for a lower house edge |
Rule of thumb: multipliers in Lightning and Mega Roulette do not increase RTP. The game simply redistributes it - the payout for a straight number is reduced from 35:1 to 29:1 or 30:1, but if a "multiplier" number comes up, you get a multiplied bet. The result of a long turn is almost exactly the same as in classic European roulette, only with higher variability. Details of Crazy Time and similar live shows with multipliers are in the article Crazy Time and Live Casino Show .
RNG roulette vs. live roulette with a croupier - what's the difference
In Philippines casinos you have two types of online roulette:
RNG Roulette (automatic, no croupier)
The game runs in a software environment. The outcome of the round is determined by a random number generator (RNG), not an actual falling ball. Features:
- Speed: Round takes 5-15 seconds. You can spin 200-400 rounds per hour.
- Minimum bet: typically β± 100(Tipsport, Fortuna, Sazka).
- Maximum bet: β± 12000per straight number, higher on outside bets.
Live roulette (with a live dealer in the studio)
You can see the real croupier in the Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play Live or Playtech studios through cameras and bet in real time. The result of the round is determined by the ball actually falling. Features:
- Speed: Round takes 25-60 seconds. You can spin 40-100 rounds per hour.
- Minimum bet: typically β± 600(classic table) to β± 200(VIP table).
- Maximum bet: β± 1000- depending on the table and your categorization.
- Social aspect: chat with the croupier, see other players, real casino atmosphere.
In terms of mathematics and RTP, both variants are identical - the casino advantage of 2.70% in European Roulette applies equally to RNG and live. The difference is only in speed and atmosphere. From a budget point of view: a faster RNG roulette means a higher turnover per hour (and thus a higher absolute loss) for the same bet. For an overview of Philippines live casinos see live casino Philippines .
The history of roulette and the origin of the double zero
Roulette originated in France in the 17th century - the most famous version is attributed to Blaise Pascal (1655), who was actually looking for a perpetual motion machine. It originally had only 36 numbers without zeros, which would make the game "fair" - the player and the casino would have the same long-term return. Development Features:
- 1796 β 1820: In France they added one green zero (0). The reason: the casino needed a stable source of profit. A casino advantage of 2.70% was the result.
- 1842: Brothers François and Louis Blanc opened the single-zero roulette in Bad Homburg, later in Monte Carlo (1863). The European tradition of one green zero was established.
- 1820 β 1860: In the US, the Lannes brothers and other casinos added a second green zero (00) to increase the casino edge. American roulette was created with 38 numbers and a casino edge of 5.26%.
- Early 20th century: Monte Carlo introduced la partage a en prison rules as a benefit for permanent players. French roulette was created with a casino advantage of only 1.35% on outside bets.
A practical takeaway from history: adding a double zero is not a "rule of the game" but a business decision to increase the casino's edge. La partage, on the other hand, is a benefit for players. Where the game is the same, you should always choose the version with a lower casino edge.
Which roulette is available in Philippines casinos
The following live roulette tables are available in the live sections of Philippines licensed casinos (Tipsport, Fortuna, Sazka, SYNOTtip, Chance) - most from providers Evolution Gaming or Pragmatic Play Live:
- Live Roulette/Speed ββRoulette/Auto Roulette - European variant, casino advantage 2.7%. The most affordable desk, open 24/7.
- Lightning Roulette β European variant with multipliers on numbers. The RTP does not differ from the classic European, but the variability is higher.
- Immersive Roulette β European variant with high quality cameras.
- French Roulette/French Roulette Gold β French with la partage rule. Limited availability, must be sought after.
- Auto Roulette VIP/French Roulette Auto - some have la partage set up, some don't. Always check the game rules.
American roulette is rare in Philippines licensed casinos. Sometimes you can find it under the name "American Roulette" or in automatic inanimate variants. Always check the number of numbers before your first bet - 38 numbers= American, 37= European or French.
For a broader overview of Philippines live casinos, we recommend the article live casino Philippines .
Philippines live roulette minimum and maximum bet
Betting limits for individual tables in Philippines casinos vary by table category (classic, medium, VIP) and provider. Real values ββthat apply to Tipsport, Fortuna, Sazka, SYNOTtip and Chance:
| Table type | Min. bet on the outside | Min. straight number bet | Max. straight number bet | Max. bet on the outside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Roulette (RNG) | β± 100 2 | β± 100 2 | β¬ | β± 100 |
| Live Roulette (Classic) | β± 600 2 | β± 600 2 | β± 50 | β± 200 |
| Lightning Roulette | β¬ | β¬ | β± 50 | β± 200 |
| Speed ββRoulette | β¬ | β¬ | β± 50 | β± 200 |
| Immersive Roulette | β± 50 | β± 50 | β± 100 | β± 500 |
| French Roulette Gold | β± 50 | β± 50 | β± 50 | β± 500 |
| Salon PrivΓ© (VIP) | β± 200 | β± 500 | β± 1000 | β¬ |
For practical management of the roulette budget - especially calculating how many roulette rounds you can reasonably play in an hour - the article will help online casino budget management . We recommend setting hard technical limits directly in the application self-limiting limits in Philippines online casinos .
Resources and further reading
Related articles:
- Online Roulette Philippines
- Roulette rules and strategies
- Roulette winning tips
- Betting systems in roulette: Martingale, Fibonacci and D'Alembert
- House edge in live casino games
- Live Casino Philippines
- Baccarat in an online casino: rules and the lowest house edge
- Blackjack basic strategy chart
- Crazy Time and Live Casino Show
- How RNG works and independent audits of online slots
- Real RTP Philippines slots
- Budget management in an online casino
- Self limiting limits in Philippines online casinos