Best Roulette Variants: Your Guide To Finding The Best Online Roulette Games

Classic Roulette Variants: European, American & French

Roulette has been around for centuries, and dozens of clever versions have come and gone.

But three classic variants have stood the test of time: European, American, and French.

What makes them so popular, and how do they differ from one another?

European Roulette

European roulette is arguably the most popular variant among players, thanks to its relatively low house edge of 2.7%.

The European roulette wheel has 37 pockets. The numbers 1 – 36, and a Zero (0) pocket.

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The odds of a player winning a 1:1 bet in European roulette (Red or Black, Odds or Even, High or Low) are 48.65%.

That represents a 1.28% edge compared to American Roulette.

American Roulette

If European roulette is the most popular variant among players, American is probably the least popular of the three classic options.

The American roulette wheel has two zero pockets (0 and 00), whereas the European wheel has only one.

In our picture below, we see two American Roulette options being offered at Jackpota online casino.

The house edge for American roulette is 5.26% compared to 2.7% for European roulette.

The odds of a player winning a 1:1 bet are 47.37%.

French Roulette

Many roulette players know the difference between European and American roulette, but few understand how French roulette differs.

The French wheel mirrors the European layout but sometimes includes La Partage and En Prison rules.

These rules can be complex to implement online, and not every casino offers them.

Casinos that allow La Partage and En Prison rules actually have the lowest house edge at 1.35%.

Do Different Roulette Variants Have a Different House Edge?

Yes — roulette variants have different house edges. For example, American Roulette has a higher edge than European or French versions.

The number of zero pockets and special rules, such as La Partage, affect how much the casino is expected to earn over time.

The House Edge is the advantage or edge a casino can expect to have against its players over a long period of time for a particular game.

The higher the house edge, the more profit a game can expect to generate over time.

The lower that number is, the more advantageous it is for players.

Classic Roulette House Edge

Type	Zero Pockets	House Edge
European	1x Zero Pocket	2.7%
American	2x Zero Pockets (0,00)	5.26%
French	1x Zero Pocket	2.7% (Possible 1.35%)

Several factors affect a game’s RTP or house edge.

The most obvious is the American wheel, which has a second zero pocket, compared to French and European wheels, which have just one.

10 Great Roulette Variants to Try (plus one bonus option)

Online roulette offers a greater variety of options than land-based casinos.

Below, we discuss some of the more popular variants worth checking out.

#1 – Double Action Roulette

In this game, the wheel has two separate ‘rings’ (inside and outside rings), both spinning at the same time.

Each spin gives you two chances to win instead of just one.

Players have the option of betting on the outer ring, the inner ring, or both. Although the betting table layout is different from a traditional roulette board, the bets and payouts are very similar.

#2 – Lightning Roulette

Evolution Gaming created Lightning Roulette, which might be the most popular online variant.

In this game, there are lightning multipliers that can strike at random.

Every spin, up to five numbers get hit with a multiplier between 50x and 500x.

The pursuit of jackpot payouts appears to be the driving force behind this game’s popularity.

I’ve seen a 100x multiplier hit on one of my inside bets — and although I didn’t win that round, watching the lightning strike adds a real adrenaline rush.

#3 – Mini Roulette

Mini roulette is a very popular variant, but the house edge is less than ideal at 3.85%.

It’s played on a tiny wheel of just 13 pockets (1-12) and one zero square.

The “mini” wheel makes the game faster, and with only 12 numbers, long shot bets hit more regularly than on a wheel with 35 numbers.

The odds and payouts are, of course, adjusted to balance the different wheel.

#4 – Multi-Wheel Roulette

Multi-wheel roulette lets you bet on several wheels at the same time and watch them play out all at once.

A player can find variants with up to 8 wheels to choose from.

As shown in our multi-wheel picture above, this game is only for the uber-focused. To be honest, I get dizzy just looking at those six wheels, let alone trying to follow along with eight.

The odds of hitting one number remain the same, but the option to make that same bet on up to 8 different tables means bigger payout opportunities exist.

Buckle up!

Depending on your multi-wheel options and wagers, this game can be very fast-paced.

#5 – Double Ball Roulette

Instead of just one ball, this very entertaining version features two, both rolling on the same wheel simultaneously.

This means you have double the winning possibilities on every spin.

In some variants, you’ll find that the payout is even larger if both balls land on the same number.

#6 – Key Bet Roulette

Key Bet Roulette plays like European roulette but adds an innovative new Key Bet option.

If you place this side bet and the ball lands in the Key Bet pocket, you get a chance at bonus payouts ranging from 20x to 100x.

#7 – Triple Bonus Spin Roulette

This version has an extra slot with three zeros.

You’re probably thinking that this triple zero pocket reduces the RTP even further than American roulette.

But that is not the case.

This added zero pocket works in favor of the player, not the casino.

Landing on the triple zero triggers another spin with a jackpot-style bonus round and a chance to win a big payout.

I once triggered the bonus round on Triple Bonus Spin after just a few spins, and while I didn’t hit the jackpot, the extra excitement made it one of my most memorable sessions.

#8 – Roulette Royale

Roulette Royale is ideal for players who enjoy progressive jackpots but prefer roulette over slots.

This variant follows standard European rules but offers jackpot opportunities if you place an additional side bet.

If the same number lands twice in a row, you win a small bonus. If it lands three times, you get a bigger one.

If the same number lands 4 or 5 times in a row, players can win huge jackpots.

#9 – Astro Roulette

Astro Roulette swaps numbers for zodiac symbols and lets players bet on signs, elements, or seasons. The gameplay remains standard, but the theme adds novelty for astrology fans.

You can bet on any of the 12 zodiac signs, the four elements, or the four seasons.

The biggest difference is that you are three times as likely to win your bet at Astro Roulette, so the odds and payouts are significantly different than traditional roulette odds.

If you are an astrology fan and like to dabble in zodiac signs for fun, this variant is definitely worth checking out.

For the record, I’m a Virgo, but I have never cashed a winning Virgo bet.

#10 – Age of the Gods Roulette

Some slot games are so brilliant that they transcend boundaries and become roulette games.

At least, that’s probably what happened with this roulette variant.

Inspired by Playtech’s Age of the Gods slot series, this variant has a Greek mythology theme and a special bonus round that triggers at random, giving you a shot at one of four jackpots.

Bonus Referal – Pinball Roulette

Pinball roulette adds a level of excitement that varies from the traditional spinning wheel and ball.

Instead of a wheel, this variation uses a pinball machine to decide the winning number.

You watch the ball bounce off pegs and bumpers before eventually landing in a pocket.

This game has the same odds as European roulette but is presented with a definite arcade twist.

Online Roulette Variants RTP

Name	RTP	House Edge
Double Action Roulette	97.3%	2.7%
Lightning Roulette	97.3%	2.7%
Mini Roulette	96.15%	3.85%
Multi Wheel Roulette	97.3%	2.7%
Double Ball Roulette	97.3%	2.7%
Key Bet Roulette	94.74% – 95.34%	4.66% – 5.26%
Triple Bonus Spin	98.11%	1.89%
Roulette Royale	97.3%	2.7%
Astro Roulette	97.3%	2.7%
Age of the Gods	94.74%	5.26%
Pinball Roulette	97.3%	2.7%
Slingshot Roulette	97.3%	2.7%

Online Roulette Games You Might Want To Avoid

If you’re playing for entertainment purposes and fun, please continue with whichever roulette variants you find enjoyable and entertaining!

If part of your enjoyment factor is trying to stretch your bankroll and maximize your total spins, you will want to avoid variants with a low RTP. (Return to Player)

American and Mini Roulette tend to have the lowest RTP, usually around 94.74% – 96.15%.