European Roulette Table & Wheel Explained

European roulette is a staple of physical casino venues, but it's popular at gaming sites, too. 

Some roulette games are virtual, using Random Number Generators (RNG) to ensure fair play. But others are streamed live from studios or casinos instead.

European roulette is similar to the American and French variations. However, there are some key differences, specifically in the wheel design. 

Understanding how to play online roulette can be difficult for beginners. But it’s crucial that you know how the game works before you start placing bets. 

That’s why we’ve created this guide to European roulette, covering virtual and live roulette gameplay at online casinos. Below, you’ll discover:

• Everything you need to know about the European roulette wheel
• Essential details about the European roulette table layout and bets
• Tips for playing European roulette online responsibly

European Roulette Wheel Explained 

The wheel is the most important element in European roulette games at online casino sites. This contains 36 pockets numbered 1–36 and a single 0. Most pockets are either red or black, but the 0 is always green. Red and black pockets alternate — there are never two of the same colour next to each other. 

The gameplay is simple. The wheel spins for a few seconds, and the dealer drops a small ball onto it. This spins in the opposite direction to the wheel. When the wheel stops after around 20–30 seconds, the ball lands in one of the pockets. 

Your goal is to predict that pocket correctly. However, the outcome of each spin is totally random and impossible to predict with accuracy. 

You can either play live European roulette games online or virtual ones that use RNGs. Live games are played in real time with a host and other bettors. But virtual European roulette is played with software only. 

Whichever type of European roulette you prefer, you can trust the results to be fair at a licensed casino. 

European Roulette Table Layout Explained 

European roulette tables show all 36 red and black numbers, with the green 0 at the top. The numbers are broken down into 3 long columns and 12 rows. For example:

• Column 1 - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34

• Column 2 - 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35

• Column 3 - 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36

The 36 numbers are separated into 3 groups on one side of the table:

• 1st 12 (1–12)
• 2nd 12 (13–24)
• 3rd 12 (25–36)

On the same or opposite side of the European roulette table, you’ll see the following sections:

• 1–18
• Even
• Red
• Black
• Odd
• 19–36 

Three more sections appear at the bottom of the table:

• 2 to 1 
• 2 to 1 
• 2 to 1

You can place two main bet types in a game of European roulette: 

• Inside bets - A wager on any of the 36 numbers on the inside area of the table

• Outside bets - A wager on any of the sections on the outside of the table (e.g. Odd or Even)

Inside bets can be simple: you bet on one or more numbers individually. But Outside bets let you wager that the ball will land on several numbers at the same time. For example, a bet on Red wins if the ball ends the spin in any of the red pockets. 

Payouts differ depending on the wager. A bet on any of the 3 columns (e.g. 3 - 36) pays out 2 to 1. Straight Up bets covering a specific number pay out 35 to 1 instead. But a Corner bet (4 numbers in a corner) pays out 8 to 1.

Tips for Playing European Roulette Online

Here are four tips to keep in mind when you play European roulette at an online casino:

• Read the rules first: Whether you play European roulette on a desktop or mobile, always check the rules before you dive in. Certain games include bonuses, and you should be aware of them to avoid surprises while you play.

• Explore casino bonuses for added value: Always check the promotions at an online casino. You may find bonuses that let you place free bets on European roulette games. This can make your deposit go further.

• Always remember to responsibly play European roulette: Set a betting limit and stick to it. Otherwise, you could wager more than you intend to or should over the course of a game. You may want to use the minimum possible bet to make your bankroll last longer and learn the rules with low risk. 

• Try virtual European roulette in demo mode: Playing demo versions of virtual roulette games online can help you make sense of the rules and betting. Use virtual credits and spin for virtual payouts with no risk to your bankroll. Only try real-money and live casino games when you understand how they work. 

Conclusion

Playing European roulette online lets you experience this popular game at home. You can choose from many games and bets, with a wide range of cash payouts on offer. 

Genting Casino hosts an extensive selection of European roulette games from top brands. Take your pick from dozens of RNG-based and live roulette games with different betting limits. 

Ready to get started? Open our casino lobby to discover the best European roulette games now!