Roulette looks like one game, but it is really a family of them. The wheel, the number of zero pockets, the payouts and even a few special rules change from one version to the next — and those changes decide how much of an edge the casino holds over you. This guide explains the main roulette variants you will meet in Canadian casinos and online, what makes each one different, and how their odds stack up so you can tell them apart at a glance.
Key Points
- One game, many wheels: variants differ mainly by how many zero pockets they have and what special rules apply.
- Single zero beats double zero: European (2.70%) and French wheels give better odds than American roulette (5.26%).
- French rules win: La Partage and En Prison cut the edge on even-money bets to 1.35%.
- Novelty wheels cost more: mini roulette runs a 3.85%–7.69% edge on a 13-pocket wheel.
- Multipliers don’t help the math: games like Lightning Roulette fund big 50x–500x wins by lowering the base payout, keeping the long-run edge the same.
What “roulette variants” actually means
A roulette variant is simply a version of the game with a different wheel, layout or rule set. The differences usually come down to three things:
- How many zero pockets the wheel has. Zeros are the numbers that belong only to the house, so more zeros means a bigger built-in advantage for the casino — this advantage is called the house edge.
- What special rules apply. Some wheels give part of your stake back when the ball lands on zero, which softens the edge on certain bets.
- What extra features are bolted on. Online and live-studio versions add things like multipliers, extra balls or several wheels at once, changing the pace and the payouts.
Everything else — the betting layout, the chips, the way you win — stays broadly the same across versions. If you can play one roulette game, you can play them all.
The three classic roulette wheels
Almost every roulette variant is built on one of two wheels: a single-zero wheel or a double-zero wheel. These three versions are the foundation of the whole game.
European roulette
European roulette is the standard single-zero game. The wheel has 37 pockets: the numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green zero. Because there is only one house pocket, the house edge is 2.70% on every bet. It is the most widely available version worldwide and the sensible default for most players. If you want the full picture of how it compares with the American wheel, see our guide on European vs American roulette.
American roulette
American roulette uses a 38-pocket wheel: the numbers 1 to 36 plus both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). That extra pocket roughly doubles the house edge to 5.26%. The payouts look identical to the European game, which is exactly why the double zero catches players out — the same bet simply wins slightly less often. The order of numbers around the rim is also different, as we explain in the roulette wheel number sequence guide.
French roulette
French roulette runs on the same single-zero wheel as the European game, but adds two player-friendly rules that apply to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low):
- La Partage returns half of your even-money stake when the ball lands on zero.
- En Prison locks your even-money stake for one more spin instead of taking it when zero hits.
Either rule cuts the house edge on those even-money bets to just 1.35%, making French roulette the most player-friendly of the classic three. The full mechanics are covered in our French roulette rules guide.
How the main variants compare
The table below sums up the wheels, their standout feature and the house edge. Lower edge is better for the player, but remember that every version still favours the casino over time.
Comparison
| Variant | Pockets / zeros | Standout feature | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 37 (single 0) | Standard single-zero game | 2.70% |
| French roulette | 37 (single 0) | La Partage / En Prison on even-money bets | 1.35% on even-money bets (2.70% otherwise) |
| American roulette | 38 (0 and 00) | Extra double-zero pocket | 5.26% |
| Mini roulette | 13 (0–12) | Small wheel, fast play | 3.85%–7.69% |
| Double ball roulette | 37 or 38 | Two balls per spin | ~2.78% on inside bets (single-zero) |
| Lightning / multiplier roulette | 37 (single 0) | Random 50x–500x multipliers, 29:1 straight-up | ~2.70% (RTP ~97.30%) |
| Multi-wheel roulette | Up to 8 × 37 | Same bet across many wheels | 2.70% per wheel |
Smaller and specialty wheels
Beyond the classic three, casinos and studios offer reworked wheels that change the number of pockets or the number of balls in play.
Mini roulette
Mini roulette shrinks the wheel to just 13 pockets, numbered 0 to 12. Fewer numbers means bigger payouts feel closer, but the single zero on such a small wheel pushes the house edge up to between 3.85% and 7.69%, depending on the bet and whether the table offers a la-partage-style refund on zero. It is a fun, fast novelty rather than a value play — the details are in our mini roulette guide.
Double ball roulette
Double ball roulette spins two balls on a standard wheel at the same time. On a single-zero setup, inside bets keep a house edge of about 2.78% — you need only one ball to land on your number, and hitting with both pays double. Outside bets, however, only win when both balls agree, which changes their odds considerably. Read the full breakdown in our double ball roulette guide.
Multi-wheel and multi-ball roulette
Multi-wheel roulette lets you play the same bet across several wheels at once — up to eight in some online versions. You place one set of chips and it is copied onto every active wheel, so wins and losses come in faster and your bankroll moves more quickly. The house edge per wheel is unchanged (2.70% on single-zero wheels); the only difference is volume, which makes bankroll control more important than ever.
Live dealer and game-show variants
Online studios have created a wave of newer versions that add extra prizes on top of a real spinning wheel. These are still roulette underneath, but with a twist.
Lightning Roulette and multiplier games
Lightning Roulette, made by Evolution, is the best-known example. Each round, one to five “lucky numbers” are struck with random multipliers of 50x to 500x. To pay for those big hits, the straight-up payout is reduced from the usual 35:1 to 29:1. The result keeps the overall return to player close to a standard single-zero game (around 97.30% RTP), so the multipliers are exciting but do not lower the long-run edge — they redistribute it. Several rival multiplier games (XXXtreme, Quantum and similar) work the same way.
Live vs RNG versions
Any variant can be played in two formats online. RNG roulette uses certified random-number-generator software to decide the result. Live dealer roulette streams a real croupier spinning a physical wheel in a studio. Both are independently tested for fairness, and the odds for a given variant are identical either way — the choice is about atmosphere and pace. Our live dealer roulette guide explains how the studio format works.
Which roulette variant should you play?
If the odds matter most to you, the ranking is straightforward:
- Best value: French roulette, thanks to the 1.35% edge on even-money bets.
- Reliable everyday choice: European roulette at 2.70%, available almost everywhere.
- Avoid if you can: American roulette at 5.26% — the double zero is a needless cost when single-zero tables exist.
- For novelty, not value: mini roulette, and multiplier games like Lightning Roulette, which trade a bigger top-end thrill for a higher-variance, no-better long-run edge.
Whatever the payouts look like, checking the roulette payouts chart for the exact odds of each bet is the quickest way to compare two tables honestly.
Common mistakes when choosing a variant
- Judging a game by its payouts alone. A 35:1 straight-up bet pays the same on European and American wheels, but the American version wins less often because of the extra zero.
- Assuming all single-zero tables are equal. Only French rules give you the la partage/en prison refund; a plain single-zero table does not.
- Thinking multipliers improve your odds. Games like Lightning Roulette fund their big multipliers with reduced base payouts, so the long-run edge is no better.
- Ignoring the pace. Multi-wheel and fast online formats resolve far more bets per hour, which drains a bankroll faster even at the same house edge.
Responsible gambling
This page is for information only and is not betting advice. No roulette variant, rule or betting system removes the house edge — every version is designed to return a profit to the casino over time, and results are always random. Set a budget you can afford to lose, treat any winnings as a windfall, and stop when you reach your limit. If gambling stops being fun or feels hard to control, free, confidential support is available in Canada through ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) and the Responsible Gambling Council, plus each province’s own problem-gambling helpline. You must be of legal gambling age in your province to play.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most common roulette variant?
European roulette is the most widely available version around the world and online. It uses a single-zero, 37-pocket wheel and carries a 2.70% house edge, which makes it the standard against which other variants are measured.
Which roulette variant has the best odds?
French roulette offers the best odds on even-money bets. Its La Partage and En Prison rules return part of your stake when the ball lands on zero, cutting the house edge on red/black, odd/even and high/low bets to 1.35% — half the European rate.
What is the difference between European and American roulette?
The American wheel has an extra pocket, the double zero (00), giving it 38 pockets instead of 37. That single change nearly doubles the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%, even though the payouts on both wheels look the same.
Are online roulette variants fair?
Licensed online roulette is independently tested. RNG versions use certified random-number generators, and live dealer games are audited on real, physical wheels. In a regulated market the odds for a given variant are the same whether you play the software or live format.
Which roulette variant is best for beginners?
European or French roulette are the friendliest starting points. They have simple single-zero wheels, the lowest house edge of the mainstream games, and are available at nearly every casino, so you can learn the bets without paying the extra cost of the American double zero.